No, thanks. We?ll take the stairs. And other tales of the Eiffel Tower?

700 steps.

That?s how many steps there are to the 2nd view point of the Eiffel Tower. Did you know that? I didn?t either. It was quite a feat, climbing all the way up, ignoring the elevator and the tinge of pain still in my foot from who knows what anymore.

The climb to the top kicked my butt. It had been a long day already, but the weather was in the 60?s and we couldn?t get past the excitement of wearing just a light sweater and only one pair of pants. Hey, it?s the simple things.

My roommate has a couple friends in from England this week and since it is their last full day, we decided sunset at the Eiffel Tower would be perfect. But of course, we filled the day with other neat places too starting at the Catacombs, which may have been one of the weirdest, most eerie experiences I?ve ever had.

It was built in the late 1800?s as an underground burial site, sort of a mass grave, as cemeteries in Paris became over crowded. You start in one part of the city, descend hundreds of steps in a tiny, dark, very narrow staircase, and walk through 45 minutes of bones on top of bones on top of bones only to emerge several neighborhoods away.

We finally made our way to the surface, after climbing another very narrow stair case and trying not to become too dizzy, got rid of our heeby jeebies (yeah, it?s a real thing) and made our way to the marais for falafel and vintage shopping.

I think the marais is one of my favorite areas. There are so many different stores, and characters. You just never know what you will find.

We stumbled into a shop of a certain, ahem, genre. You know ? for grown ups. We had way too much fun in there ? but I think I?ll keep those pics to myself to keep this here blog at least PG-13. You know?for the kids. Well?and because my parents read it. And cousins. And aunts and uncles. And grandparents. Hey guys!

We also stopped for a bit of frozen yogurt ? the first time the weather has actually been suitable for a cold treat. This was myberry, a Parisian take on the tangy fro-yo I love from Berryism or CaliYogurt back home.  This frozen yogurt was much sweeter, actually not tart at all, but was more than delicious with fresh framboise and chocolate granola.

We stopped by the Centre Pompidou after the marais to waste some time before sunset. It?s always fun to watch the crowds here and today was no different.

Oh, and have you seen the movie Sabrina? This is where that first scene of her working on a fashion shoot is in Paris. You know the one ? the girls are wearing plastic outfits and have water fountains coming out of their hands. That?s one of my all time favorite movies!

This woman was playing the didgeridoo! I loveeeeed listening and watching her. I?ve done ecstatic dance several times with many of my yogi friends, and last time there was someone playing the didgeridoo ? the sounds is so tribal and oddly soothing.

I could have watched her for hours, but it was already 5:00pm and time to head over to Trocadero to begin our Eiffel Tower adventure.

We were all exhausted, but knew we?d be so proud of ourselves if we could say ?I climbed the Eiffel Tower when I was a youngin?!? when we recount the stories of our Parisian adventures.  Do people still say youngin??

Anyway. It was a long way up. Sometimes we would get a burst of excitement and bolt up the stairs. Others we?d have to stop to regroup ? and stretch out our hammies and glutes, of course(That?s what you get when you climb the Eiffel Tower with a yogi).

And then?we made it.

700 steps ? perhaps ironic, really. 700 hundred hoops to jump through to get to Paris. 700 ups and downs and trials and tribulations. 700 tears, but 700 laughs to follow.

Yep ? 700 laughs. I like that. How can you not laugh in the City of Light ? especially when things like this?

happen pretty much daily.

Just another day in gayyyy Parieeeeee. This one will certainly be for the memory books.

I think the best memories are of the little moments ? the joy of good weather, the happiness from a beautiful view, the laughs from friends and good company. Don?t you think?

What are your best memories? What moments do you savor the most?