This past week has been amazing. Last Friday, my friends and I got a late lunch in the Latin Quarter, and then we went to the Notre Dame cathedral, famous for its medieval architecture. We didn’t get a chance to climb to the top since the tours were closed for the day, but we got some cool pictures in front of the cathedral and got to explore the inside of the church as well.

A few days later, my friends Geneva, Kevin and I ventured to the hill of Montmartre to see Sacre Coeur, a beautiful church that lies on the top of a 130 meter hill in Montmartre. The view was amazing and the entire area was lively with street dancers and tourists. Although Montmartre is a popular tourist area, it is full of Parisian culture, like the painters in the square of Montmartre, offering to paint a portrait of you. We also got delicious French falafel for lunch.

The weekend was a great time for socializing and night life too. I went to ClubMix for the first time on Thursday night because every Thursday is free cover for international students. It is called an “Erasmus Party” which stands for the students who study abroad in European cities. Everyone from my program went so it was a lot of fun. Two of my friends from Penn State who are studying in Seville, Spain also came for the weekend, so it was fun to show them around Paris and bring them out with me at night.

I also experienced the nightclub, Showcase, for the first time. It is a popular Parisian discotheque on Champs Elysees right under the Seine River. My friend Evan from Barcelona was also here, so we went together on Friday night along with some other people from my program. Showcase is a very relaxing atmosphere, where you can dance or just hangout with friends. It is also free cover from 11:30-1:30am which is amazing because cover charges are brutal in Paris.

Two days ago (Friday) was the first amazingly bright, sunny day in Paris. Kevin, Geneva and I spent the day in the Marais, walking around the Jewish quarter, thrift store shopping and eating lunch outside in 60 degree weather. Later, we ventured up to the Eiffel Tower to see it light up on a warm night. It was a simple but great day.

Notre Dame….

The view from the top of Sacre Coeur….

Sacre Coeur church above! Kevin and I in the photo.

Below, yet another picture of the Eiffel Tower, but this time on a beautiful night!

Location: Paris, France