Qick Burger ain't no Golden Arches

We began the day with class and then proceeded on to the Arc de Triomphe. Built by Napoleon's ego it celebrates the Grand Army's victory at Austerlitz. You get to the top for spectacular views via a spiral staircase that just keeps a goin'. Reaching the top you are greeted by some wonderful views of Paris. The Eiffel Tower is plainly visible and quite breathtaking and you can easily see the 12 main boulevards exploding out from the arch radiating into the city. Away from 'old' Paris is the 'new' Paris with the run of the mill skyscrapers. Looking over old Paris you can see the law in action as no private building is higher than any other. They've been limited to a certain height making for an expansive unobstructed view. Also at the arch located on the ground beneath it is the French Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is a tasteful memorial featuring simply an eternal flame and fresh flowers placed there everyday since just after WW II. It is unattended however by any sort of gaurd unlike ours in Arlington. Following our respects we headed off for sustenance and regrettably chose to ignore old reliable Ronald for Quickburger. Not a great choice, they were slammed and out of everything and the only menu in the place was mounted in a corner in tiny print. Followi ng lunch we headed to Napoleon's Tomb and the Army Museum. Lauren and John returned to the FIAP because she was feeling under the weather so the report on the Tomb will be forthcoming by another of our number though I understand it was quite impressive and cool (as in temperature). We have been joined by an 11th student on this trip. We don't really like him all that much, because he is always around and makes us so uncomfortable its hard to sleep. His name is HEAT, it is so hot here right now we all feel like Yankees at Disneyworld in August. We have no A/C and so HEAT is always with us. We believe he is also responsible in part for Lauren and Asa both feeling less than great. The METRO while efficient and easy to use is HEAT's best friend. He loves it there and we leave several gallons of ourselves with him where ever we go. We are all hoping HEAT will be leaving us soon or we are going to buy a sprinkler and hose for the FIAP courtyard. mahalo
plastic people of the universe