Parisians, Juice Box Wine, my Buddy and me

Pictures are fixed!

Buddy and me with our Juice Boxes under the Eiffel

This week was way too eventful to even put into words. Rich came to visit! My first visit from anyone from home and it's my buddy... what more can I ask for?

The buddy adventures started with him in Amsterdam for 2 days. I wanted to take him EVERYWHERE. It's an exhilarating experience having a loved one visit you in your new home. I just wanted him to see everything I love about the city and share with him all my experiences. Though he was a bit tired from London, he was quite the trooper.

We started off with a nap.. just to rejuvenate after his sleepless nights and the plane ride. I took him to the wonderful Pancake Bakery! Ate some bomb ass pancakes then went to the Anne Frank House down the street from me. Though it's not as small as you think it is, it's makes just as big of an impact as you would expect. Whether you've read the Diary or not, I guarantee you a surreal and unforgettable experience. I have much respect for Otto Frank... he's an incredible man that truly understands love for family and complete trust in friends.

After, I toured him around Dam Square, the Red Light District, the Sex Museum and we had our first Frites in Amsterdam! mmmm... nostalgic of Pomme Frites in New York. If you ever get Frites here, get the Joppiesauce. Amanda says its like "spread" from In-n-Out but not. and Rich says its kinda like curry. If that doesn't intrigue you, I don't know what will.
Finally, we took a trip to Abraxas. Met up with Rich's co-worker Taj and his sisters and also met up with the Amsterdam crew. Had a good time, music was bumpin as usual. Good people, good times.

The next day while I was in class, Rich rented a bike and went to check out the Van Gogh Museum. Then we met up and biked to Vondel Park. Extremely recommendable. It's like the central park of Amsterdam. The park is cool... but the best part of it is my tree. This tree has become my favorite place in all of Amsterdam. It's the most climbable most child friendly tree anyone can ever imagine. It's like story book tree- kids were even sliding down it. Once Rich gets his pictures, I'll post it up. Love at first sight.

Bestreever!!!

Erichtree

We went to dinner at a traditional Dutch restaurant 1870 and from there, went back to Abraxas to get Rich a "spaced up" milkshake. They're milkshakes are amazing by itself (ask Amanda) but for an extra 2,50 you can space it up! We also went cuz I wanted Rich to meet my friends here... it was like a "getting good people to meet other good people" type thing.

In the morning it was off to PARIS!

Because I keep blabbing, I'm gona continue with cliffsnotes style:

Thursday:
- arrived at our cheap hotel Au Nouvel Lyon Hotel which was pretty sweet- we got our own room and bathroom!
- Rich had his first look at the Eiffel Tower, we walked around Champ de Mars
- had an amazing dinner close by which included rabbit legs, pasta, "rocket salad," steak, wine, berries and cream, and coffee.

Friday:
- went to the Louvre where we played "guess what bible story this painting is of" and "try to imitate the statue picture game"

Rich won:

Us with Mona

- we bumped into Amanda, Lena and Riley at the Louvre who went to Paris the same weekend!
- walked around the Louvre and L'Opera area
- went to Champ Elysee and checked out the Arc de Triomph which apparantly looked so high that Rich could "feel it in his nuts", went to the top, had an awesome view
- continuted on to the market Monoprix to get some meats, cheeses, baguettes, wine, and desserts
- had a little picnic at Champ de Mars under the Eiffel Tower, quite romantic I must say
- the best part about our picnic, besides being there with my buddy, was FRENCH RABBIT wine juice boxes!!! They were fantastic and gave us great buzzes. They need to import that stuff into America.

Saturday:
- went to Notre Dame where we had the opportunity to have Confession
- the priest was super cool:
I walk in ready to make my confessions and he goes "hey! are you filipino?" i go, "ya, filipino chinese" and he's like "I love filipinos, they're so joyful!" i knew this was a good man. By the end, we exchanged emails and he really wants me to visit him in Africa someday. He was one of the coolest priests I've met so if you ever go to Notre Dame, ask for the priest Fr. Hyacinth Nassi. He'll definitely give you some good vibes and great wisdom.
- had croques, onion soup, and chocolat chauds at Cafe Panis recommended by a guy who works for this really cool used bookstore: Shakespeare and Company
- ventured on to the Picasso museum area but on the way we hit the Techno Parade that happens to be going on! that was freakin intense... thousands of kids just going nuts behind crazy floats with djs spinning on each one blasting out techno. Pretty awesome experience.
- walked around the Picasso museum area which had eccentric shops and was just really visually stimulating
- went to Montmarte where we saw the Sacre Coeur basilica (featured in Amelie)
- sat at the steps with maybe 100 or so people where two guys were playing Simon and Garfunkle on their guitars... one of my biggest highlights on this trip. Everyone sang along while we all experienced the most beautiful view of Paris.



- went to the Moulin Rouge just to check it out
- went to the Latin Quarter where we ate at Quick (which is like a Euro McDonalds)
- explored some bars but ended up back around Notre Dame where we relaxed at this one bar, where we had some beers and some great conversation. =)

Sunday:
- went back to Notre Dame for mass
- the organist went crazy at the end and the choir kids looked possessed but it was a beautiful mass regardless
- i love how Notre Dame still functions as a Church and is not just a tourist attraction
- had some lunch and a crepe around ND and then we went to the train station where we parted ways. him to Rome, me back to Amsterdam.

So that was our weekend in a nutshell. Paris is beautiful. Though Amanda would disagree, I think Parisians are amazingly nice people but it's worth it to check it out and decide for yourself.

The buddy adventures have only begun. Next up, Venice!

Buddy Adventures!