I just got back from Paris. Except that my train from Brussels was late it went as well as expected and maybe even a little better. When everyone in the group has the same enthusiasm and mobility things just run smoother. We walked around Père Lachaise, I showed everyone my old school. We ate crêpes from the place I used to go so often that the guy eventually stopped asking what I wanted when he saw me and just said, “Crêpe végétarienne, pas de poivrons?” It was a different guy working there this time. I got my dad two posters from the natural history museum. My cousin got my uncle a Nascar poster. I hope they don’t get mixed up, although it would be amusing to see my uncle’s reaction to receiving a poster advertising an exhibit about evolution, in French no less.

We went to Versailles and spent two hours waiting to get inside even after we had tickets. Now, I understand that the more people they let in the more money they make, and keeping up a castle and garden of that size can’t be cheap. Even so, I think that only so many people should be allowed in at a time. If you want to be guaranteed a ticket you should have to reserve in advance. Shoving in as many people as possible makes the experience less enjoyable for everyone. Imagine a mosh pit with old people and no music.

The last day we went to Giverny to visit Monet’s house. I illegally took a picture inside and got away with it. In the gardens you literally feel like you’re walking through a painting if you can imagine that all the other tourists taking pictures aren’t there. We went to an Indian restaurant for our last meal together. It was my aunt’s suggestion, although secretly mine too. I thought I was the only one who liked Indian food. Ader has been weary of new foods I introduce him to ever since I took him to a Japanese restaurant and neglected to explain that the wasabi is not to be popped in your mouth all at once. But even he liked it.

On Thursday Ader met me at St Lazare during his lunch break to say goodbye and I had to see myself off to Gare du Nord. He didn’t feel like he could take an extended lunch break since our next vacation is less than a week away.

Now I’m back in Namur, the only volunteer/intern left. It’s kind of lonely but also kind of nice because I have the room to myself. There’s only one outlet that works and I don’t have to step over anyone’s head to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. And I’ve got two books and the fourth season of 30 Rock to occupy myself with, now that I only have six days left.