Le Touriste

Starting with this morning, I woke up and saw a French waiter with breakfast in my room. I was in pajamas and in bed, but I talked to him anyhow. (Alas, my alarm didn’t go off.) He didn’t speak any English, but I managed to get a few things across to him in French.
He was friendly, a little TOO friendly – kissing me good-bye three times! I was so embarrassed, but now it’s funny! Well, one experiences something new every day. Today, I French-kissed with an authentic Frenchman. Oh my God! I’m laughing out loud at that last line.
Getting back to what we did today: We met Oda in the lobby and drove all over Paris on the bus, only stopping at Notre Dame. Gippy! But Notre Dame is beautiful; I was disappointed to hear that there was no authentic “hunchback,” though.


Notre Dame gargoyles

I am so sick of the God-damn tourists (even though I am one). I hate the dipshit lady ones who sit on their asses and complain. How obnoxious! I feel so sorry for the Parisians who have to put up with them every summer!

First Impressions of Paris, Age 15

Apres le diner, Mark and I walked around the hotel a little. We then came up to our rooms, and watched some really insane game show. U.S. TV is way ahead compared to the French. Mom and Dad then came in, saying they went to a small café where they were the only Americans. The people were super friendly to them, and they bought chocolat éclair – tres delicieux!
It looks really hazy outside, and the view from my window isn’t too hot. We aren’t in downtown Paris, but out in the boonies. I see a lot of kids riding bicycle-type scooters, and a lot of people walking around. We are on the eighth floor, so I can see pretty far. Where we are, the view looks like any other city, except this city is very old looking. Some cobblestone streets, but basically the buildings are really ancient.
I haven’t exercised my French know-how to any great extent so far, because mostly everything is written in French and English. Also, many of the French in this hotel speak a little English. So it’s really easy to get by.

English History - Old and Detailed!

Parliament, from across the Thames

I was abruptly awakened this morning, when some fool-ass Frenchman came knocking at my door, asking if I wanted coffee!? Then after that, when I was trying to go back to sleep, Mom called me!
We all went on the morning tour, visiting Westminster Abbey and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. There were so many people at the latter. I ran all over, trying to find a place to see something. And when I finally did (on the knee of a statue), I got a threat to be “hauled down to the station” by some pig English cop!
We ate lunch at Leicester Square, and then went on an afternoon excursion to St. Paul’s cathedral and the towers of London. We didn’t get to see the crown jewels; the line was much too long, and hardly worth the wait. But we did see the “Bloody Tower,” where many famous persons were executed.
I couldn’t understand why Tina was so fascinated by English history, but now I can. It’s so old and detailed!

London Hotel Blues

This hotel is crazy, but snug and cozy. Trying to find your room is like a maze, but you soon get used to it. I’m in the basement, so the view from my window is up, and I can only see feet going by!
I am now lying in my cozy bed, listening to a very good radio station. I can also hear footsteps and cars above.
I feel very sad right now. My sadness seems sentimental; it’s hard to explain. I suppose that it’s Brian. I haven’t seen him for a month, and then one more month until he’s home!
But now the waiting doesn’t bother me so much. The thing that is killing me with worry is that I’ll come home, and there will be no letter. I have a strong feeling that this will happen, but then there is also a small ounce of hope. It means so much to me.

But I’ve decided that, if there is no letter, I shall write him again, explaining that I never received a letter, asking if he ever wrote, if he wants me to fuck off, etc. I just want to know straight out, because suspense kills me.

I love Brian. I think I know him well enough to trust all the things he said before he left, so I will.

I loved a boy who was in our high school's chess club