Wow wow Wow! What can I even say about Paris? I absolutely fell in love with the city. It lived up to all the high expectations I had and then some! It is so breathtakingly beautiful and romantic. I didn't see any of the negative things I've always heard about the city and people and was just blown away by the whole thing. I guess I will start from the beginning!
Saturday morning we got up SUPER early *4:30 am* and headed to the Waterloo station to catch the Eurostar *or the chunnel for us Americans*. We were taking the trip with a tour group so we met up with our guide and the rest of the people going. The Eurostar was really nice! The trip only took a little under 3 hours. Going through security and customs and everything was waaa less stressful than if we had gone through an airport. We mostly slept on the way there since it was so early. We arrived in Paris about 11:30 am local time *they are an hour ahead of London* and exchanged some money and took our luggage to the hotel. Then it was onto the Metro and off to the Lourve! I had heard from a couple of people who have been to Paris to not really bother with the Lourve if you are only going to be there for a weekend. I'm so glad I didn't take that advice! I loved the museum. It's almost mind boggling how big it is! We spent 3 hours there and barely stopped to really look at anything. We managed to see all the highlights. The museum itself is so beautiful architectually. It used to be a palace so it's very ornate and grand looking. The works of art inside really did outshine the building though. To see the Mona Lisa in person is a very surreal feeling.
After we had seen most of the Lourve we followed our tour group down the river and to Notre Dame. By now it was starting to get a bit dark out and the city was starting to light up. I couldn't get over how much cleaner the Seine is than the Thames! The water looked beautiful. Notre Dame at night was equally as amazing. We got to go in and watch a Vespers service for a while. I love gothic style artchitecture so it was really neat to see the most famous example of it in the world. After we explored the Cathedral for a little bit we went to a bar right around the corner and enjoyed a couple of happy hour drinks. We decided to go cheap on dinner and had some crepes. I feel like a fat cow after this weekend because all we did eat, but it was the best food I've ever eaten! I don't know how French people stay so skinny. Everywhere you go there's delicious food. I had the most unbelievable pastries and bread while I was there. Coming back to London has def. been a drag since I'm no big fan of the food here!
Sunday morning we got up early and headed up to the Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart) Basilica. It was up on a hill overlooking the city and it seemed like we walked up 39372 steps to get there but it was well worth it! The view was unbelievable and the church was even more spectacular. I don't know what happened but me and Emma started getting real emotional in the church! I think it just kind of dawned on me where I was and how lucky I am to be having these amazing experiences. I am thankful for every day that I'm spending here and know that the time I'm spending here and traveling is literally changing my life. Something about Paris got under my skin and I was sure feeling it in that church! After a few shed tears we all regained our composure and went out and did some shopping. We also saw the Moulin Rouge which was pretty neat since that is one of my favorite movies!
After we explored that area of town we headed to the Eifel Tower. It literally took my breath away when I saw it. First off, I couldn't believe how big it was! It looks quite small in pictures compared to how large it really is in person. I don't know how something that is really just a bunch of steel can be so beautiful! After we spent a good while gawking at it we went and got lunch in a cute little cafe. Exactly what you would picture as the stereotypical parisian cafe. At that point it was time to meet up with our group and go on our boat cruise. It was actually perfect timing because right when got on the boat it started raining really hard. We were able to sit in the enclosed boat and see the city as it lit up for the night. I know I keep saying this, but it was so beautiful! Everything you see there looks like it is out of a movie. It looks to perfect to be a real city that is hundreds of years old. Right as our boat was docking the Tower started doing its flashing lights bit for the night and I about died. I'm such a sucker for Christmas lights and things like that anyways and this was like the ultimate light show! All I could hear was that U2 song in my head!!! We capped the amazing day off by heading back to the bar from the night before and making some new friends. A very hilarious night ensued!
Monday morning we got up early again and went to see the last few things we had on our list. We saw the Arch du Triumph and climbed to the top of Notre Dame. Both amazing and both beautiful... pretty much like everything else in Paris! Sadly it was then time to meet up with our group at the hotel again and head out. I was so heartbroken to leave. I just fell in love with the city. It was a perfect weekend and I've never felt such an instant connection with a city like that expect for London. And London's where I got to come home to! How lucky am I!?! I will absolutely be going back to Paris in my lifetime. There are so many things there I still want to do and see. I will never forget this weekend for the rest of my life!
Everything in London is still going good. Spending more and more time with my roomates as we are winding down and preparing to come home soon. Homecoming is such a bittersweet feeling right now. I know my life is going to be incredibly different when I get back. No more care-free London life in Orlando! We only have 5 weeks left before we leave and I plan on making them the best 5 weeks since I've been here! More thumbnails ...
Latest Comments (2)
|
paris (reply)
Nov 15, 2007 11:42 EST by ewojchick
loved your commentary, pics and videos. so glad your time was so wonderful, brings back good memories to us. we understand the feelings of bitter-sweet. cant wait to see you, and looking forward to xmas together. love sherri & ed
|
|
|
crepes? (reply)
Nov 14, 2007 14:29 EST by whitingcd
All you have to do is say you like crepes.
They're just them little thin pancakes ain't they? I'm still not gonna say it.
|
 Post a new comment | 
