Hereford Huddle: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Champs d' Elysees (Josiah)

Our first day in Paris, Sunday, we went to the Eiffel Tower, along with the Arc de Triomphe and Champs d' Elysees. The Eiffel Tower was very high, and eventually we made it up there. At first, the very top observation deck was closed off. So, we looked from the 2nd level, and we could see all of Paris. After we had been there for awhile, Dad got us tickets for a lift to the top, because it eventually opened back up. Mom and Liam didn't want to go, so they got treats down below, way down below. There was a fence for people's safety, but don't worry, I didn't get the fence in the pictures. We came down after about an hour or so. Then, we had lunch.

Something else I want to mention is that on the walkways within 200 meters of the Eiffel Tower, there are gangs of guys that try to sell replica Eiffel Towers. Some are keychains, some are bigger, and we noticed that when some guys are selling them, they'll look down the street. We guessed that they were looking out for police. Anyway, we bought tons of Eiffel Towers. Well, not quite that much, but pretty close.

From the Eiffel tower, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe. There was a wide street around the Arc, however, so we had to take an underground passage. Some people attempted life-threatening dashes across the 50 yard wide street. One no-minded guy actually walked across the street! He gave one car a kick, but it certainly wasn't the car's fault. (See video below.) Even without people, there's tons of traffic. Anyway, the Arc de Triomphe bears the names of French generals that helped Napolean during the French War, and also it contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a grave that contains an anonymous soldier who died during the First World War.

After taking pictures and looking around, we headed towards the Champs d' Elysees. The Champs Elysees is a long long road right next to the Arc de Triomphe that has some of the most famous stores in the world along it. It also contains some souvenir shops. We ate dinner at a pizza restaurant.