Paris and Rome!

Hello again!
Wow it has been a long time since I last right in my blog. I sincerely apologize - I really want to actually keep up with this blog so that I may look back on it when it is all over and remember what I did!
So I honestly do not know what I lastly wrote about. I guess I will start with my trip to Paris! I left two Fridays ago - I took the TGV from Grenoble to Paris Gare Lyon. Because I am under the age of 25, I get a special card called the 12-25 card that allows for me to get discounts on trains in France. Well, lucky me! I was able to go first class to Paris! I felt like a brat but I really loved it. So I arrived in Paris around 2 or so. David was supposed to meet me around 3 but we had a few problems coordinating our rendez-vous. Needless to say, we met up near the Louvre. It was so wonderful to see a familiar face! I have talked about this with other GLS students before, but it is so nice to not have to make an effort with my friends from home. I do not have to try to impress or entertain so that is why I love visiting old friends from home. Anyways, Jean-Luc picked us up from the roundabout near the Louvre. I had never met him before and I do not know what I was expecting to be honest - but he surprised me! He is very tall - like 6'4 or something! Also, from his e-mails, it seemed that he spoke perfect English but upon meeting him, I heard a very strong French accent. However, I really loved it! David and I were so happy to be picked up from Paris by him; it made everything a lot easier.
Jean-Luc lives with his wife, Marie, and three children (Agathe, Felix, and to be honest I cannot remember the other son's name! That is terrrible). They live in Gif-Sur-Yvette in the South of the city. They live in a beautiful home in the countryside! Oh my goodness I fell in love with their home!! It was so incredible to be in a spacious place with a lot of the things that I am used to at home - fast internet, a big bed, a modern shower!! Europe has definitely taught me to appreciate the things that I have at home in the US! Jean-Luc's family was so invited and incredible. I could not be more blessed to have been able to stay with them. I think David really enjoyed it too even though he does not speak hardly any French. Marie and Jean-Luc cooked us a typical and delicious French meal on Friday. Jean Luc has an INCREDIBLE wine cellar!! O wow! I was so spoiled. I tried a Bourgogne (sp?) wine for the first time and it was so wonderful, not to mention 10 years old!  Of course we ate a lot of cheese and then a tartine (an upside down apple tart) for dessert. It was so amazing.
The next morning, David and I enjoyed a lovely breakfast with Jean Luc and Marie. Jean Luc went to their bakery and bought us FRESH pain au chocolat! They were still warm!! Easily the best thing I have ever eaten - David loved it too. We then went with Jean Luc to the RER station so that we could take the train to Paris. It was really easy to get on and figure out. When we got to Paris, we went to Sacre Coeur in the Montmantre part of Paris. Sacre Coeur is on a hill and it gave us a beautiful view of Paris!! Honestly, we basically just walked around all of Paris. It was so wonderful to see the city and I really fell in love with it. It is so cliche to say that I love Paris, but after last weekend it is impossible not to say it! Paris is one of my favorite cities now. David and I enjoyed a peaceful lunch at a typical French restaurant. He got a croque monsieur and I had a beautiful smoke salmon salad. It was soo delicious. We continued to walk around, take pictures, and enjoy the city. We were able to meet up with Megan and Jody too. It was nice to see them.
Saturday night David and I found a delicious stir fry restaurant!! YAY! As much as I love French food, it was a really nice change. We both has stir fried noodles with vegetables and meat. It was extremely yummy. By the time we got back to Jean Luc's it was about one in the morning and we were exhausted.
The next morning we got up early again and went to see the Eiffel Tower. David had to leave that morning, so it was a nice way to send him off.
Okay I am going to have to continue this later!! Blogging is tough work ;)