Paris and Potter

What a whirlwind couple of days! Paris is just so beautiful and inspiring, we have been running around all the time to see as much of it as we can before the week is up. Thankfully our trip here was much more comfortable than the previous journey because the bus was practically empty so we each had two sets to ourselves which meant lots more sleeping. I spent most of the journey reading the last half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (which I stole from Alex) so I would have it fresh in my mind for the movie premiere on Tuesday. I was quite happy just to sit there for hours reading and looking out at the amazing scenery.
When we arrived in Paris the next morning we were a little groggy and grumpy but managed to meet up with Marie Helene who is kindly letting us stay in a family apartment here. We went straight for some coffee and croisants (which were deliciously messy) in a lovely cafe; the perfect introduction to Paris. Our next order of business was to venture into the metro and find the Grand Rex, a movie theatre that was having a two day Harry Potter movie marathon leading up to the release of the final film. We picked up our passes and decided that, since we were so tired and wanted to sit down, to stay and watch the first movie. At first I felt guilty being in Pairs and watching a movie, but I am so glad we did it! The theater was of course full of super fans who clapped and cheered along with the film. Each character's first entrance got a huge round of applause (the loudest for Neville and Snape which made me very happy). Next came a nap and some unpacking in our new home before we decided we wouldn't waste the day and headed for the Eiffel Tower. No matter how many times you see this thing in pictures or movies it will never prepare you for the reality it, which is not only massive, but oddly beautiful and so iconic that it is kind of surreal. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon so we flopped down on the grass and took millions of photos.
The next day we made a plan of attack that included the Eiffel Tower again, to see if the line would be any shorter (it wasnt), Musee D'Orsay, and Notre Dame. As we walked away from the Tour Eiffel towards D'Orsay the skies opened up and it began to pour. But we weren't at all upset as Paris is even more beautiful in the rain. We walked all the way past Les Invalides and along the Seine getting progressively wetter but still laughing it off. When we reached the museum and saw the mile long lines we decided we were wet enough and headed for the metro where we got lots of amused and disaproving looks for dripping all over the place. Notre Dame was much drier and just breathtaking. West Minster is definitely my favorite cathedral but Notre Dame comes in close second. There was a fantastic violin player on the street right outside that sort of made the moment.
That night Marie served us a lovely dinner of delicious French quiches, stinky cheese, and home made chocolate mousse; yum! Then we ran back to the Grand Rex to watch part 1 of Deathly Hallows. The atmosphere there was electric and we were bouncing around in our seats despite our long day. We heard from the very sweet girl next to us (who spoke flawless English) that there was a rumor that some of the actors were going to make an appearance! The whole place was buzzing as the first film finished and the theater lights kept changing as if in preparation for something. Then a man came out on stage and told us that a girl in the audience had written a letter to him asking to please have the actors come that night as a large group of them would be in Paris anyway...and he said they would! (The only reason I uderstood all this was that the nice girl next to me was translating). After some more fidgeting and more light changing they finally appeared; Clemence Posey (Fleur), Mr. Weasley (don't know his real name), Natalia Tenna (Tonks), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna), Charlie Weasley (don't know his name either), and James and Oliver Phelps (The Weasley twins). The volume in the theater was rediculous but each actor got to say a few words (apparently we were the loudest audience so far) and there was lots of chanting "Weasley, Weasley, Weasley." It was fantastic! The film itself was very powerful and there were lots of tears, mine included. Everyone in the audience knew what was going to happen so there was lots of squealing, wailing, and cheering as well. I have lots to say about it though so I think I am going to post a seperate review here when I get a chance. What a night!!!!!!!!!!