Bonjour!!

Today was quite a day. I woke up early to try to solve my lost phone issue which ended up taking a lot longer than anticipated. I went to the mall and had to go to at least five different cell phone stores asking for international phone options...while aimlessly searching for someone who speaks English who can understand my request. It was very tough but I ended up getting a nice lady to help me who actually spoke no french at all but she seemed to explain everything well! After a few hours of going back and forth with information and trying to understand eachother, I finally bought another phone. They don't really teach you "I need an international phone to call my parents and I need it today" in french class! They told me that I had to come back Monday to get it activated though which obviously did not and could not work since I leav for Geneva Sunday morning. So, with Austin backing me up, I tried to tell them I needed it by tomorrow and suddenly they changed their minds and said it was not a problem - I still don't understand the French sometimes. Today is Austin's last day visiting though so I was happy we did not spend the absolute entire day at the mall dealing with phones. Finally we made it back to campus and met up with everyone. We all vetured out to see what was open for dinner since the on-campus cafeteria is closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Finally we stumbled upon a sandwich/burger/pizzeria place with a little grocery store next door and a pastry shop on the other side. YUM! Then, it was time for us all to head to Paris! Everyone went out dancing but it is Austin's last night in France, so we decided to get a hotel in Paris so it is closer to the airport for him in the morning and just have a relaxing night. However we are not just staying at any hotel...we are staying at the Hotel du Louvre!!! It is breathtaking and definitely a little different from my little dorm room back in Evry. The lobby is absolutely beautiful and it is so swanky! We feel like royalty with how nice the staff is and it is just an absolutely amazing experience! Austin and I both took videos of the room the second we got to it because it was so beautiful! The concierge even walked with us to the elevator and took us personally to the room to show us where the siwtches were for everything. If you ever go to Paris, this is THE place to stay! It is right in the heart of Paris and one of the nicest hotels I have seen! The wallpaper is silk-like and there is a TV which is exciting in itself (we hadn't seen in awhile since there are no TVs at the dorm!) The balcony looks directly at the Louvre and it is just breathtaking! It was crazy to think that the Mona Lisa, one of the most famous paintings in the world, is just feet away from our room! I am sitting in the Hotel du Louvre currently writing this blog and I cannot explain how awesome this place is! The balcony doors are like two big windows and even open up like in a movie! This is one of my favorite memories thus far and getting to stay at this hotel for a night is making my trip! I love Paris and it is just so stunning, especially from the high balcony of a gorgeous hotel in the heart of the city! Austin and I are having a great time! I love Paris and being here has definitely showed me that everywhere you go may be very different from home, but it has its own unique beauty that just pulls you in. I am definitely visting Paris again somtime in the future. It is to amazing of a city to not visit it again and again!

Au Revoir,

Tori "In love with Paris, and already planning another trip before I even leave!" Marshall