This is the only full day that I can spend in Paris, so I wanted to see as much as possible. Another goal was to blend better with the French women (who really look very stylish and elegant), so I dressed in black pants and a really nice shirt. Unfortunately, my “French look” puffed away in one second as I put my running shoes on… I tried my black boots instead but there was no way that I could walk long distances in them. In the end, I decided against the "French look" in favor for comfortable shoes - I am glad I was wearing my sneakers because I walked 7h today! I had such a fantastic day!
I started heading to the “Champs de Mars” and the Eiffel Tower. I didn’t really want to go up the Eiffel Tower because I have done it 13 years ago and there was a long line as well. But then I saw an empty register…why? Because they sold tickets for the staircase…I had to think about the Lyon Street stairs and of course I saw the challenge right away…I bought a ticket (still paid 4.50 Euro) and started climbing stairs (I only met 2 people on my way up…). According to the security guy, it is approximately 700 stairs each way. I am not quite sure it didn’t seem to be that many but I was definitely sweating by the time I reached the second platform (you can’t walk all the way to the top, you can only walk to the second platform). 
Later, I walked to the Arc de Triomphe and strolled down the Champs Élysées all the way to “les Jardins Tuileries” and to the Louvre. My last stop was Notre Dame and by then I was really exhausted from all the walking. Oh well, not exhausted enough for a short stop in one of my favorite clothing stores, “Kookaï”. I bought two sweaters and a scarf, I have no idea how I will squeeze it in my luggage (which is already exploding), but it has to get in there somehow. 
It was such a beautiful day and I have seen so many beautiful streets, gardens and buildings. I always tried to speak French in shops, Cafes or Restaurants but people always replied in English. I guess my French isn’t that good anymore :( This morning, I ordered a “café au lait” in a little café (it said “café crème” on the receipt…I always thought “café au lait” is a French thing…?). The waitress asked me in French if I wanted to eat something and I asked for the menu (in French…) and she brought me a cocktail menu. 
I have no idea what she was thinking but she just looked at me and said “Croissant?" Hahaha, I guess that’s what all tourists order when they have no clue. But I didn’t give up and said “Non, merci, j’amerais bien avoir un pain au chocolat s’il vous plaît.” Ha! And I got my chocolate croissant and my coffee and I was happy :) Note that in this picture posted, I am having a “café grande” – just to put things in perspective with American portion sizes....
When I walked to the Eiffel Tower, a man came my way, he picked up something from the floor shortly before I passed him and it happened to be a golden ring (585 gold) that someone must have lost on the street. He said “Mon dieu, c’est d’or!”, he tried it on but it was way too small for his fingers, then he looked at me and wanted to give it to me. I didn’t take it, I am not sure why I am so suspicious but I thought “maybe he didn’t even find it but already had it and it’s just a scam…” because clearly, someone in sneakers walking towards the Eiffel tower is a tourist and I felt like an easy target as I was all by myself. And secondly I thought that even if he really just found it, he has to bring it to the lost & found office because someone will miss the ring, right? Anyway, I rejected the gift, I guess that was the right thing to do. He said “Well, this could have been your lucky day, now it’s mine.” That’s ok.
I really love the flair and the lifestyle of Paris. As much as I enjoyed my stay in Paris, it would have been twice as much fun with company, I have to admit. I guess “Mr. Croissant” was my best friend the last two days :) I am really looking forward to seeing my family in Germany tomorrow evening, I had enough “me-time”. But not before I eat a few more pastries and bread, they are really to die for!
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