The cradle of civilization - as one might call it

I feel the need to jot down what I have done in Europe thus far - before I forget. It has been a busy busy first week.

Day 1: July 12, 2007
-Reunited with friend and sister.
-Walked aimlessly in Paris, France w/ sister, saw Arc de Triumph had coffee at a cafe, got lost, found our way again.
** Had dinner on the Eiffel tower. Amazing view, atmosphere, and company.
-Sat on steps outside Eiffel tower and watched fire dancers.
Day 2: July 13th, 2007
-Walked down Champs de Elysees to the Touilerees.
-Sat by the Seine.
-Went to Notre Dame - it is way too touristy and loud. I mean, I am not religious at all, but I can respect and be quiet in a cathedral.
-Got into the Louvre for free (under 26 after 6pm on fridays).
** Had dinner on Monmarte - very cute area. Sat on the hill overlooking Paris watching fireworks set off by boys in the street, as well as bigger ones all over the city.
-Walked to Moulin Rouge/Red light district.
-Had a drink in the lively Latin Quarter.
Day 3: July 14th, 2007
-Bastille Day! Woke up to watch the parade down the Champs de Elysees complete with the president, french army, music, and the air brigade. Mostly just saw bobbing heads through the crowd.
-Took train to Brussels, Belgium to stay with forementioned friend and his family.
Day 4: July 15th, 2007
-Saw Brussels, its Plaza, important buildings, Mantequin Pis (statue/fountain of a boy peeing), etc.
-Learned about the divisions of Belgium (French, Flemish, and German/ Catholic and atheist) and the 3 things that make it famous (chocolate, waffles, and lace).
Day 5: July 16th, 2007
-Took train to Brugge.
-Went on Canal trip through Brugge - cute town.
-Saw Harry Potter movie.
Day 6: July 17th, 2007
-Went to Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels - most entertaining museum have been to in a while, because they give you headphones that play music when you stand in front of certain instruments.
** Walked around Brussels with sister being touristy, touched statue to give me good luck, had famous Belgian waffle and chocolate.
-Ate the famous mussels in Brussels at the famous Chez Leon restaurant.
-Drove to Waterloo to see the battlefields and mound.
Day 7: July 18th, 2007
** Left Brussels and friend for Amsterdam. I am going to live there, everyone was riding bikes with baskets all over the place.
-Took the hop on hop off canal boat trip to various sites.
-Walked through the Van Gogh museum.
-Saw outside of Anne Frank's house - difficult to determine what exactly was her house, because it all looked very modern, and the line was over an hour long to get inside (we couldn't wait, because we had a train to catch).
-Wandered around the city and saw cool buildings.
-Took the night train to Zurich, shared a sleeper car with 5 other people, one of who snored.
Day 8: July 19th, 2007
-Arrived in Zurich, Switzerland in the morning.
** Walked along the beautiful lake for hours.
-Ate the pretzels filled with meat.
-Went inside churches with stiking stained glass windows.
-Climbed up hill to park with good view, swang.
-Saw part of kindercircus show.
-Took train to Lugano, Switzerland, where sister currently lives.

Summary: having an amazing time!!!