Tag Archives: Eiffel Tower

Bonjour et Au Revoir Paris

With one last weekend left in our London literary program, most of us went out of the country for the weekend. From Vienna, to Amsterdam, to Paris, our group spread out across Europe. I (as well as a few others) decided to spend the most amazing, and tiring weekend in Paris.

The Eiffel Tower up close (notice the beautiful weather)

The Eiffel Tower up close (also with beautiful, warm  weather)

The Arrival:

Friday we started our journey by leaving at the awful hour of 4:30 AM to catch our Chunnel ride to Paris. After arriving and figuring out how to read a subway station completely in French, we trekked our luggage around in order to get our first glimpses of the Eiffel Tower, and find food. After exploring for a few hours, we went to the Louvre because of the free admission on Friday evenings! Although I primarily went to see the Mona Lisa, I also enjoyed the recreated Napoleon Apartments, and the various statues in the Louvre. Even after spending three hours in the Louvre I could and would still go back to see it all again.

The Mona Lisa at the Louvre

The Mona Lisa at the Louvre

26,000 Steps Later…

Today was easily the best and most tiring day of our weekend. By the end of the day I walked OVER 26,000 steps…a new record even for walking around London. After waking up early again, Josey and I climbed took the elevator up to the very top of the Eiffel Tower for an unexplainable view (even though it was cloudy in the morning). Then, I headed off on my own to go wait in a three hour line in order to see the catacombs (WORTH IT.) The catacombs were such a unique and historical sight to see in Paris, and I left wanting to know more! Finally, once I was done exploring the catacombs, I met up with a few of the others to walk through the beautiful Notre Dame (although it really doesn’t compare to St. Paul’s Cathedral or Westminster) and then we had a wonderful sit down dinner before our group went over to the Eiffel to see it one last time…

 

Hallway of the catacombs

Hallway of the catacombs

 

Some of the skulls and bones were arranged in patterns

Some of the skulls and bones were arranged in patterns

 

The Eiffel Tower literally sparkling at night

The Eiffel Tower literally sparkling at night

Au Revoir Already!

After a much needed 10 hours of sleep, it was time for us to say our goodbyes to Paris. I really enjoyed all I got to see and experience in Paris and visiting for only one weekend was a perfect amount of time to stay there. Paris is much more NYC city-like than London is and I was already missing “home.”

Food, Food, and More Food

By far my FAVORITE part about Paris was the food. From the first to last meal I enjoyed every bite of it especially the very French chocolate croissants, assortment of macaroons, and the crepe I ate.

My dessert was a sampling of all the desserts at the restaurant!

My dessert was a sampling of all the desserts at the restaurant on the last night!

As always, thanks for reading and stay posted to hear more about my last week in London! Cheers, love!

 

 

 


Location: Paris, France

Adventures in Paris!

Last weekend I visited Paris!  It is a beautiful city, and we got a lot done in the two full days we had to explore.

Photo blog!



It was a beautiful day! Bright blue sky :]


It was just lovely.


I liked these guys.


We then moved on to the Catacombs, which was AWESOME. Seriously killer. No pun intended…


Some interesting architecture inside.


This was the line to get into the Catacombs. Nuts!


We then went to the Jardin de Luxembourg. It got a little bit gloomy outside :[


Statue in the park.


My inner child had to come out at some point!


Finished the day at the Pantheon.


Gorgeous!


Got up bright and early to go to the Louvre!


My favorite exhibit was the Napoleon exhibit. So elegant.


CHAOS at the Mona Lisa. Not worth it.


Totally rode an ostrich on the carousel.


Just wandering in another park.


Checked out Notre Dame.


Went to this cute cafe for lunch. Seriously the best meal. Ever.


FINALLY the Eiffel Tower!


BIGGEST THING OF COTTON CANDY EVERRR! (They call it candy floss here…which is weird.)


Tourists. Duh.


Photoshop at its finest!


View from the top!


View from the top on another side!


Night shot. It sparkles once an hour. I love it.

So that was Paris!  I had a blast. Good times with good people. Always.

I have been working on essays for midterms recently.  Finished my first one, about to start my second.  Have three due total.  Wah. 

I went to the cinema last week!  I think I sound very proper when I call it the cinema, but that is what they call it here.  Saw No Strings Attached.  Loved it.  Ashton Kutcher never disappoints. hah.

I also went to the milk market on Saturday.  They have it every weekend, and it was AWESOME.  So much good stuff.  Almost bought a puppy. ALMOST. But I bought what is the best apple juice I have ever had and probably will ever have.  It is a blueberry apple juice made from the apples and blueberries of Ireland. DELICIOUS!  I also had a cookie and a piece of cake (go ahead, make your fat jokes!).  They had so much CHEESE, too.  Yum yum yum yum yum!

I watched an American football game yesterday.  The guy I’m seeing here is the quarterback, so I went to watch them demolish the other team.  I honestly couldn’t tell you what the score was…it had to have been in the high 50s or 60s to 6.  It’s funny, because they NEVER go for field goals.  They always do two point conversions when they get a touchdown and just either go for it on fourth down or punt.  Weird, right?

Went out with the roommates last night and had a blast.  We went to a place called Hurlers where we’d never been before. It was a pretty chill place…I’d go back. hah.

Time is flying. I can’t believe I leave in two months.  Sadface.

Cheers,
Melanie


Location: Paris, France