Picture Perfect in Paris

I love Paris.  There are no ifs, ands, or buts.  I am just in love with it.  After having the best day of my life in Paris this past summer, I was worried that I would be disappointed.  Last time I was there, I felt like I was in some sort of dream.  Summer day, wind in the hair, and French food.  What more could a girl ask for?  This recent trip offered me a totally different perspective of Paris, but was equally has magical and fun.  This time I got to spend it with two of my best friends and really experience more of the Parisian culture.  Different, but amazing.

The first night I arrived, I was just very tired.  After Kayla and I tried fitting ourselves into the smallest elevator known to man, we opted for the stairs.  Eight long flights of stairs with all of our luggage.  As soon as I caught my breath, I noticed Ne Ne, the flat's white and fluffy rabbit.  I'm not really a small animal person besides dogs, so that was just an interesting situation.  Once we got settled in, we decided to go to the Eiffel Tower!  We ended up just taking a taxi there, and it was worth it.  Apparently since it's off season, the glittering lights only come on for the first five minutes of every hour so we had to rush to get there.  When we were walking by the tower, I noticed the crepe stand I got a crepe at in the Summer.  Good and fond memories flooded me, so I got a crepe with nutella and banana.  For old time sake, right?  I ended up eating the crepe, overlooking the Seine, while the Eiffel Tower was glittering with its magic.  AMAZING.  Thursday night was magical.  

Friday was the day full of every tourist activity known to man in Paris.  It began with us walking to Notre Dame, basically having a photo shoot in front of it, and admiring it's beauty.  Did I mention we had crepes for breakfast too?  Crepes and Paris are the best combination.  After Notre Dame, we decided to go to Saint Chapel.  My friend told me I HAD to go there, so we waited in line, paid the six euro, and walked in to the most amazing chapel I had ever been in.  It basically was like walking into a kaleidoscope.  I would recommend Saint Chapel over Notre Dame any day, to go in that is.  After being amazed, we went walked to the Eiffel Tower.  One phone stolen, one phone returned, two people being pooped on by pigeons (myself included), and three hungry girls later, we finally arrived.  We ended up buying a baguette, brie, and grapes for a perfect picnic in Paris.  Excluding the giant birds hovering over us, it was fantastic.  Once we were finished taking pictures and eating, we walked to Champs Elysees.  Of course I had to buy a whole box of Laduree macarons because well they are Laduree macarons.  And they were worth every penny.  I'm pretty sure I showcased my macarons in every location, and I almost even got ran over while trying to take a picture.  Oh the thrill.  The rest of the night consisted of taking the metro home, finally having enough energy to get some dinner at a local pizzeria, and watching Gilmore Girls to end the day.  'Twas perfect. 

Even after such a great past few days, I don't think anything could top Saturday.  I spent the day walking through the gardens and rooms of Versailles.  Ever since high school, I have loved everything about Marie Antoinette and her home in Versailles.  I don't know why, but I just love how that era was so extravagant, huge, and just gorgeous.  Versailles was more than I had ever expected and was simply amazing.  The place is just magnificent with huge fountains, gardens, and even the walls are covered in gold.  My favorite room was the hall of mirrors.  It basically explains itself, but I just couldn't get over it and still can't!  The whole day was spent wandering through the huge place, getting lost in just one of the gardens, and taking a ton of pictures.  For dinner, we ate at a local French restaurant in Montmartre.  I finally got my escargot and made the girls try it too!  They LOVED it!  Saturday was one of my favorites hands down.

After being so tired from all of the walking and tourist attractions from the previous days, we only planned on going to the Louvre before we took a train back to London.  The only problem was that I wore my hair down, wore a hat, and it was raining.  Needless to say all I wanted in life at that point was coffee and a croissant.  Instead of going to the Louvre, Kayla and I decided to go to a cafe and get brunch while Kenzie admired art at the museum.  After getting toast, a baguette, and a croissant, the waiter insisted on giving us another baguette.  The French sure do love their bread, and I do too!  the coffee was excellent as well.  If the French know one thing in life, it's how to cook.  The rest of the day we journeyed on back to London and rested.  All in all it was spectacular trip!

After each trip I take, I try and think of what I got out of the trip and how I changed based off of it.  This trip I definitely learned that plans change, but that okay.  So many times are try to plan my life to the T.  I want to make sure I have the right outfit for that day or wear those shoes so my feet won't hurt because I'll walk a lot that day.  Truth is, none of my shoes are comfortable, my feet always hurt, and I smile in all of my pictures because that's what I'm supposed to do.  Right?  No.  I smile because even though I might not be so comfortable, I might hate how my hair is wet and gross, and I might be sleep deprived, but I'm in Paris.  I'm traveling all over the place.  I'm seeing different cultures.  I'm finding out who I am and who I've always been.  I'm living a dream, my dream.  No matter what kinds of plans go wrong in my life, I try to think of the reason behind it all.  The world is a big place, I'm just a small part of it, but I try to remember that changed plans are what brought me abroad.  Changed plans made me who I am.  Changed plans can make an imperfect life, perfect.  

My Days as a Tour Guide

This past week and a half has literally been mad.  I have been going from here to there to everywhere in London.  It’s crazy how much of London I actually haven’t seen yet, and I’ve already been here for about three months.  Ever since getting back from Madrid, I have been working on homework or hanging out with my many visitors!  My friend Kenzie came from her study abroad program in Scarborough as well as my friend Kayla from good ol Wisconsin.  Kenzie came on Thursday and Kayla arrived on Saturday, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t stopped since they arrived.  Even though I feel like I’m going crazy as the days go by, it’s SO nice having my best friends in London town with me.  Here is what I’ve been showing them, what I’ve been exploring for the first time, and some fun memories the past week has brought.

Before my friends came, I decided to do a little bit of exploring by myself.  A few of my friends from my program went out for sushi, and it was delicious!  I hadn’t had sushi since being home, so it was a great treat.  The first day Kenzie was in town, I unfortunately was studying and doing school work.  I went to my favorite local coffee shop and got caught up on some reading!  After, I happened to walk by the local Anthropologie.  Bad decision.  I ended up trying on dresses I didn’t need and thankfully walked out without breaking the bank.  The rest of the day Kenzie and I treated ourselves to macarons from a bakery nearby, and we celebrated National Macaron Day the right way.  Why it’s not a universal holiday is a mystery to me. 

            On Saturday, Kayla arrived!  I brought the girls to one of the most well known markets I had yet to go to:  Borough.  For the past month or so I kept on seeing these donuts from that market, and I finally had the chance to sink my teeth into that delicious item.  Thank you Bake Well.  Thank you.  In between Kayla geeking out over all of the sights in London, we walked around the market, bought German sausages, visited Covent Garden, and just had fun.  Having the chance to show my friends around my favorite city, which happens to be my home, was one of the best feelings in the world.  I love having favorite markets, favorite restaurants, and favorite spots.

           

              Sunday was such a fun day.  I visited not one, not two, but three markets I had never been to.  We headed off to Shoreditch, which is basically like the hipster central of London.  There is street art everywhere, smells of authentic and exotic food, and A LOT of people.  First we started off at Brick Lane Market where we walked around and finally caved and bought food.  I had freshly made falafel with a salad, and it was delicious.  The next market on the list was a local flower market.  It was insane.  There were men yelling, “two for a fiver,” and I could barely walk through the street.  I ended up buying the most beautiful yellow and pink tulips, and I may or may not have bought them to match my jacket of the day.  The rest of the day was spent walking aimlessly around Spittafields Market, but by that time we were all so tired.  We ended the night with a feast of cookies, brownies, donuts, ice cream, flap jacks, and the quality movie of Passport to Paris. 

            Just when I thought the days couldn’t get busier, Monday arrived.  We took the tube to Westminster, and the busy day began there.  Walking up from the tube station, Big Ben awaited us, and I still took a ton of pictures even though I’ve seen it plenty of times before.  I’m just trying to soak it all in before I have to go back home.  After that we walked along the Thames, passed the London Eye, and found ourselves in need of food.  I took Kayla and Kenzie to my favorite pizza place in the city, and it was devoured.  After lunch we walked around the National Gallery where I saw the origin of the flower crown movement and a painting of Kirk from Gilmore Girls.  The rest of the night consisted of attending a service at Westminster Abbey and finally going into the London Eye.  If you ever go to London, you have to go up in the London Eye.  It was well worth the wait and going up at night is so much better than during the day.  Even though my feet felt like they were going to fall off at the end of the day, it was worth it.  Also, day by day I’m pretty sure I’m finding my calling as a tour guide in London.

            Tuesday was spent in class and planning Paris.  The girls occupied themselves by going to the Victoria and Albert Museum, but thankfully I was able to meet them later on in the day.  The day ended by eating in Chinatown, and enjoying time with my friends. On Wednesday, the day began at Buckingham Palace.  I almost froze to death, but it’s all worth it to see a band play.  Right?  It was actually more fun watching the videos I took after, but that’s beside the point.  The real fun part about Wednesday was nonchalantly seeing the queen.  THAT’S RIGHT.  I SAW THE QUEEN.  She drove by in a carriage, and now my bucket list for London in complete.  After freaking out, I went to Harrods and found the best place on earth: shoe heaven.  Yes, that’s a thing.  Although it would be more of a heaven if it was a bunch of designer shoes that were free.  The rest of the day consisted of walking around Hyde Park, shopping in Soho, and packing for Paris!   

            This past week has been insane, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.  It has been so much fun showing my friends around the city and having an excuse to visit all of my favorite spots over again.  I love having people around who understand my sarcasm, and respond with even more sarcastic comments.  Sharing my twin bed, living in cramped quarters, and dealing with a mess of a room has created some of the best memories, and I can’t imagine having a more wonderful time.  This weekend I’m heading to Paris, and I seriously can’t wait!  After visiting this past summer, it will be so much fun to spend more time and enjoy the city of lights even more.  My next post will be filled with pictures of croissants, macarons, escargot, and sights of Paris so stay tuned!  Au revoir!