Things get interesting

So this is where the trip starts to get interesting: I no longer have any tickets or places to be. The road is wide open and i'm as free as they come. I have no idea where I will be in three days, and that's just my style.

Flying into Paris at night: there's nothing quite like it.

There's nothing quite like the airport losing your bag either. I just got it back today, I think it has a sticker on it for Japan... figures.

Little travel tip:

This lost bag popped my cherry, but I have been waiting for the day. I knew it would happen. So I always keep my basics in the carry-0n. You know... contacts, deoderant, toothbrush, cigarettes, condoms (bare necessities). Enough for a day or two, which is usually how long it takes them to find your bags. I was extremely lucky this time... Paris was the first destination on this trip where I actually had a phone number and address to stay. The rest of the time, I just hit the hostel kiosks.

In Dublin:

True to form, I can proudly announce that I hit the Jameson distillery and the Guinness brewery all in one day. I was toasted. Also had the chance to get out of the city (led by two slovakian ladies I met at a restaurant) and saw some Irish Sea... always nice.

By the time I got into Paris from the airport it was really late (delayed flight, lost bag). I met two Americans whose flight had been cancelled. They had ten hours to burn, so they were staying up all night walking around the city. I wanted to join them but could barely stand. I saw the city though, between hiking in search of open metros and chasing taxis I gaped up at the illuminated architecture. The streets were alive with intoxicated people... in love or in wine. Couples by fountains, women gliding through the warm night in their bright sundresses. The wind was cool off the Seine. Then I was treated to a tour of the city when my taxi drove me to the wrong address on the other side of town.

The next day the wedding party met up for drinks and dinner. Great to see everyone... Matt and Diana... we wish you could be here.

Today was Notre Dame... beautiful. I somehow lost my friends, so decided to find some internet and catch up on writing instead.

We'll see if i'm lucky enought to find them in Paris... if not I'll find a bar and go from there.

Interesting note: I have used more Spanish and Chinese on the streets of Paris than English... gets a better response.