COPAINS

Joey and I had plans today to spend the day with Eugenie, the girl from France who lived with us for three weeks three years ago. We had made a plan of where to meet and what to do, but there was pouring rain in the morning. Mom and I had gone to a market to get breakfast while Dad and Joey ran, and on the walk back to the apartment we got drenched. As soon as I was back on wifi, I sent Eugenie a note asking if we should change our plans to the Louvre since it was raining. We did just that and met Eugenie at the top of the Louvre metro station.

It was like no time had passed. We went right in to talking, laughing, and joking together. We made our way to the main entrance of the Louvre where the glass triangle is. Although Eugenie's family lived just outside of Paris, she had only been in the Louvre once. It is very touristy. We stood in line to enter the museum through the glass triangle. Once in, we went to the ticket booth. It was discovered that under 18 year olds get in for free. However, neither Joey or I had anything to prove our age with us. All I had with me was my eleventh grade Niwot High School student ID. Why that is the case, I have no idea. Eugenie spoke to the lady in French, which neither of us understood any of. Since the ID said "high school" on it, she said it was okay. For the most part, high school students are under age.

When we passed through the ticket check, Eugenie began to explain the situation to the man checking tickets, but he didn't even think twice. He just waved us through. We had entered the labyrinth of the Louvre. It is so big and a total maze. We began by just wandering through. In one room you would be in one era and country, and in another room you would be in another era or country. It was amazing. There was everything from sculptures to jewels to paintings, and I'm sure much more that we didn't see. We hardly made a dent in the museum. Mom had warned us about having a plan prior to entering so we could see what we wanted to see, and we had that plan for the Mona Lisa. We knew where it was located. However, the maps are difficult to read, and we got lost easily. Eugenie ended up asking workers for directions several times. Eventually, we found it. It is tiny. Huge paintings surround it, and it almost looks like a postage stamp. People were piled in so tight, and it was difficult to cram your way in. Eventually, Joey and I fought for a spot in the front and got a picture. However, getting back out is just as difficult. Finally, we made it out with just a few drops of sweat. We wandered the paintings for a little longer, including Spanish and French paintings. It truly is amazing how much art is in that one museum. The next mission was to find the exit, which we managed. This time, we exited through an underground shopping center that led to the subway. It is a nice mall and has an apple store.

Using the subways, we made our way to Montmartre. Joey and I couldn't believe how well Eugenie knew the metro system. It was impressive. Montmartre is where Joey and I got our faces drawn on the last trip. The funicular took us up the hill where the Sacré Coeur and beautiful view of Paris is. The Eiffel Tower was hidden behind a tree, but you could see a great deal of the city. From there, we went to find lunch. On a quiet street, there was a cute little restaurant that we sat down at. Joey and I picked what we wanted, and Eugenie ordered. Listening to Eugenie speak French is actually really enjoyable. Although it just sounds like noises strung together to me, it is a beautiful and elegant language. When she was in Colorado, Joey and I never really heard her talk in French because we always spoke in English. However, in France she got Joey and I around with it.

After lunch, we went in to a market to buy some berries. Eugenie had offered to make crepes with Joey and I at her house, and we needed berries for them.

A train ride later, we arrived in Eugenie's town, which is just outside of Paris. She goes to a university now, so she has an apartment near there. Her parents still live right outside of Paris though, and that was where we were headed. The town is much quieter than the city, which is refreshing. Eugenie's Mom picked us up at the train station and drove us to their house. I remembered the back yard well from our visit five years ago, but I didn't recognize the house so much. They have recently made an addition.

The three of us started by playing card games. Joey and I relearned one Eugenie had taught us three years ago, but Joey and I still lost every hand. Next, we made crepes. Imagine my excitement when I got to make French crepes in France. These were the real deal. The batter is so simple to make, and they had a kitchen toy that did most the work. The machine gave you the recipe step by step, and all you had to do was put the ingredients in when it said and close the lid when it said. All the measuring and mixing was done by the machine. It was magic. We made the crepes in a pan on the stove, taking turns. For some reason, several came out looking like animals. Joey made a fish crepe. I made an elephant crepe. And, Eugenie made a jellyfish-looking crepe. None the less, they were really good. We put blueberries, raspberries, honey, and a Capri lemon on them. Eugenie had been to Capri just before us. After eating a few crepes, we cooked the rest of the batter to have after dinner.

Just before my parents arrived at Eugenie's house, we watched the movie we made of Eugenie's summer three years ago. It was remarkable to see how much she did with us in just three weeks. It was like she had spent an entire summer with us, not just three weeks. When Mom and Dad arrived, we watched it again. There are such good memories in that video. It is pretty special that we are able to come and see her again three years later. That isn't something I got in Spain.

Once the video had finished, we went outside for some appetizers and to talk. Dad and Eugenie's Dad are good friends through business. For dinner we had pasta and salad, which was delicious. It was refreshing to have a home-cooked meal after two weeks of eating out. For dessert, we had fruit and the rest of the crepes Eugenie, Joey, and I had made. We talked the evening away, and, before we knew it, midnight was approaching. Dad called an Uber, which gave us only three minutes for goodbyes. It is an honor to see Eugenie and her family after so many years, and I hope we can again soon.

On the drive home, we went by the Arc de Triumph and Eiffel Tower, seeing them all lit up. We had a glimpse of Paris at night after a remarkable day.

Eugenie

Part of Eugenie's family

The Louvre

Ceiling in a Louvre room

Mona Lisa

Sacré Coeur

Paris

Card games

Making crepes in France

Elephant crepe