Day 7 Eiffel tower and More

Day 7-Paris
After a little later start than we wanted, we took a city bus to the Eiffel Tower. Jane was able to get us a group passes so we didn’t have to wait forever in line. We took the elevator to the second floor and really enjoyed the view. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate with us and it has been overcast and sprinkles today. After we all got done on the second floor, we headed upwards to the TOP! Everyone, including Marge and Kristina, who are afraid of heights, joined us at the top. The view was amazing and we have TONS of pictures for all to see. To save time, we didn’t walk down the stairs but took the elevators. We were crammed in like sardines when we went from the third to the second floors. Fortunately it was just Bangor Ballet going down!
We broke off into different groups once again. This has made traveling easier for all. Our group headed off to Notre Dame. This is magnificent cathedral that was more impressive than I thought it would be. The sheer immenseness of the building was a surprise. We quietly looked at the candles, stained glass windows and the altar. Tommy asked at information how to get to the towers and we climbed up the 200+ spiral staircase to the first tower. The gargoyles were cute and adorable (we don’t know if they come alive at night or not). Once again we were able to see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. We climbed up into the bell tower. Lee and Sharon were a little too close to the other tower when the three o’clock bell rang. From Notre Dame we took a short walk over to the Latin Quarter where the girls bought some clothes and the boys watched. Sarah bought a dress, Rachel bought a new bag, Hallie bought shoes and Erin bought some earrings. Other dancers went to the Sacre-Coeur in Montmarte. Alex and Kelsey had their portraits done in Montmarte. We all tried to get back to the hotel around 4:30 to have a bite to eat. We found the perfect take out pasta place right next to the hotel. Erin was in seventh heaven-she’s been dying to have pasta for the past week!
At 6:30 we headed off to the ballet. There were three different pieces being performed. One was a Balanchine piece, on was Nureyev and one by Forsyth. The dancers LOVED this performance. I kept hearing them say “Amazing”, “I Love this”, “Isn’t she amazing” and “this is sooo Cool”. Most didn’t want it to end. After the ballet most of the dancers were headed out to dinner or to see more of the city at night. A small group of us headed back to the hotel to get some desert nearby and to go to bed early. (Ha, early in Paris is midnight!) Tomorrow we will do the Open Air Bus tour and the Louvre or some other things.
Diane