Day 5 of 30: Marriage Proposal...Check! Gelato...Check!

Finally over the jet lag!! I woke at 8 am sharp to head to Montmarte. The trip was recommended by no less than a dozen people. It took me two metros to get there. Other than the name I had no clue what I was going for or what I would find. I was told the Amelie was filmed here but I didn’t recognize a thing. Wikipedia says this was where Dali, Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. had their studio’s, which makes it plenty good enough for me. Right of the metro I was greeted by a band of three playing base and guitar. I’m so amused by all the music randomly encountered in this town. 

The cobblestone streets of Montmarte wind entirely off a grid which makes it a maze for the unfamiliar and those like myself with a linear affinity. After a good 10 minutes in the street with my handy map and clueless face, I find my way to the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. It’s gorgeous upon sight but the endless stairs make my feet terrified. The foot of the hill is lined with men selling friendship bracelets. They are merciless grabbing at tourists left and right. Twice they grab my arm and twice I shrug them off. One gets so pissed at me he yells “You ugly American!” I chuckle and keep on.

Upon reaching the top, a harpist and a view of the entire city. The city seems  so much larger than I had imagined but not looking so gorgeous on this hazy morning. The exterior and the location of the Basilica are very impressive but the inside of the church is nothing that any neighborhood church in Spain can’t compete with. Having just been there, I can’t honestly imagine a more beautiful church than those to be seen on every corner. 

Back home to sample what promises to be the best falafel in town, Yelp attested. Did I mention they have YELP here!! I’m a yelpette to the core! L’As du Fallafel.  I wait in line for 30 minutes for this jem. It absolutely delivered. Fresh, moist falafels and a spicy sauce to die for. Of course, I came home to give my input, the 116^th to do so. 

Once work is finished I head straight out the door to see the Eiffel Tower light show, every hour on the hour in the evening. I follow the south bank of the Seine for 45 minutes until I realize that I’m no more than half way there. I give up and turn back since it’s getting late. Oooo well, another day. On the way back I find myself once again in the Latin Quarter. I drown my sorrows in an Ecuadorian chocolate and Hazelnut Gelato craft fully shaped into flower petals. (FYI- Hazelnut is called Nocciola)

Right back to my casita to rest up for another adventure tomorrow but not before a friendly French man proposes marriage. Lol…He walks with me for about a quarter mile telling me how he’s madly in love. He then get’s down on one knee over the Seine, promising eternal fidelity and admiration. Just as a crowd starts to form, I thank him for the flattery and tell him that I'm already married. He sighs and walks away defeated.

Terribly interesting ending to another impromptu day.