Those of you who actually read this article should be thankful because I am writing this from my sickbed. Yes, ‘tis the season, even in France. Lucky you, dear reader, you get to sniffle in the comfort of the Quarry, or in Dear Old Denny. Think of me while you eat your Deli Q at 3 am, and I’ll spare a thought for you while I help myself to some three-euro wine. Can you tell I’m getting nostalgic? I blame it on the Dayquil. Drowsiness aside, last time I promised to tell you about my trip to Paris.

To be honest, Paris is not my favorite place. Lots of tourists—myself included—lots of rain and 19 metro stations? Just too much for me. It was my second time in Paris, and this time my trip included visits to…surprisingly, a lot of cemeteries. First I saw Musee D’Orsay (again), for an exhibit on representations of the nude masculine form in art. Next the Louvre, where of course we saw Mona Lisa and some David/Delacroix paintings (before booking it out of there, because TOURISTS) and then some Montmartre/Sacre Coeur, because everyone needs a little cardio, obviously. Seriously though, Montmartre is gorgeous and lovely to walk through. Notre Dame de Paris, of course, though I didn’t go in. Pont Neuf, which is the bridge where lovers attach padlocks to the fence to symbolize their everlasting love—forgive the sarcasm, I actually thought it was pretty cool. We saw the Gallery Lafayette, although I can’t afford anything in there; Pere Lachaise aka that cemetery where a lot of famous French people (and Oscar Wilde!) are buried, the Pantheon (more dead French people. Kind of creepy, but I did get to see Voltaire and Victor Hugo’s tomb so… worth it). And we saw Muse Pompidou, which would have been cool if I could understand modern art. We also tried to see the Catacombs, but the line was incredibly long. Not exactly what Mary-Kate and Ashley would have done, but we tried to take it easy, especially after the hike.

Side note, I had some delicious escargot and some even better duck in Paris. That plus the macaroons? Pretty much worth the trip.

This has been short, but hopefully sweet… try not to cough on your fellow Dickinsonians, and I will try not to infect the French population with the plague. As the French say, amusez-vous bien and eat some soup in a bread bowl for me!