October 9, 2016
We arrived in Paris around 6 am with no clue of where to go. It was still very dark at this time and I was terrified that something bad would happen to us especially since we looked so vulnerable. Sarah and I walked around and tried to figure out the metro tube station but we did not have any euros (note to self: go to currency exchange before traveling PLEASE). Luckily, we found a taxi that was not as sketch and got dropped off at our hotel. The hotel allowed us to check in 8 hours before our check-in time which was the greatest thing to happen that night after struggling for hours. We napped for a couple of hours (sleeping on a charter bus is quite difficult) and then left to explore what people call the city of love. The first place we went to was the Arc De Triomphe. Sarah and I then went to a fancy French restaurant and had the GREATEST salads in the entire world. I really admire how the French act when eating. They sit next to each other instead of facing towards each other creating a sense of unity. They also stay sitting for hours have conversation about everything and anything that comes into mind. Eating is a time to socialize and relax while back home it seems like a place where you just eat, use your phone and ask for the check when you're done. We then went to go see the Eiffel Tower and that's when it finally hit me that I was in another country. She stood tall amongst the crowds of people taking photographs of her. The Eiffel Tower had tours for people that permit them to go to the top of the monument and have a grand view of the city.
Sarah and I wanted to meet up with two other girls from our program for dinner and made reservations at a restaurant with an "Eiffel Tower view" but having no data and not knowing French made it really difficult to get around. We got yelled at by multiple people for not understanding their directions. I'm also pretty sure we got ripped off by the taxi driver who took us to the restaurant which by the way we made it almost 2 hours later from our reservation. Paris was not going all that well and I was starting to doubt whether I would like this trip or not. I decided not to despise the city and decided that the only reason this day was not as I hoped it would be was because it was only the first day. I still had two more days and I was going to make sure that they would be good days.
October 10, 2015
Saturday was by far one of my favorite days of my life. The first place we visited was the "love locks" on the bridge Pont Des Arts. 500 photos later, we walked to the Louvre. Unfortunately I did not go inside the Louvre because of how long the line was but there still was so much to see outside of it.
My absolute favorite part of the day was going to the Musee de d'Orsay. Paris just knows how to design museums. My favorite exhibit was the Impressionism one because I love all of Monet's paintings and the museum was filled with them! Also seeing Vincent Van Gogh's self portrait was truly a dream. You read and see pictures of these paintings your whole life but once you see the original copy you're able to focus on each detail and understand why these paintings are so widely known. Going to museums with Sarah is really enjoyable because she is as interested in art as I am and takes her time to admire the art.
Our next destination was Notre Dame Paris. I am Roman Catholic and although I haven't really gone to church in two years (my excuse is school is taking over my life but let's be real here), it was an indescribable experience being able to enter such a building. It was quite dark with every corner surrounded by religious figures and candles. My favorite part of the building were the chandeliers that were spread out throughout the cathedral. For those who do not know, when Catholics go to the altar they bow and/or genuflect as a sign of respect considering that the altar is a representation of Jesus. I have not done this in several months and doing so in this particular building made me feel very content and almost a connection with the religion that I have not really focused on for a while.
The last place we went to go to was once again the Eiffel Tower. The day before Sarah and I did not see it from close up sparkling so we were determined to see it tonight. One of my absolute favorite things are picnics in parks and we did that in front of this spectacular monument. It did not get dark until 8 pm and that's when the magic began. While watching the Eiffel tower sparkling, numerous of thoughts clouded my mind. For one, I could not believe that I was here at such a young age. Even though I was with a group of girls I was still by myself. I did not come to Paris with family or friends from home, I was on this journey alone. I am forever thankful to myself for taking time to fill out study abroad applications. Because I was able to come see this gorgeous city and learn so much about a new culture. People always plan on traveling when they are done with college but why not now? After college you are looking for a job and then one day you are 40 working a 9-5 job and raising children. There's nothing wrong with that life but you will never be as young as you are now. That is not the life I want to live at least. I want to be able to find myself before I go out in the real world which is slowly creeping up on me (how the heck am I a third year in college already?!). Sure it is a lot of money and taking out loans is a burden, but when you are 30 paying of your loans, I doubt you are going to say "man I wish I didn't go to Paris that one time".
I did not think the Eiffel Tower was as beautiful when I first saw her in the day time. But when I saw her lights on, I felt enchanted. And I believe people are like this as well. We all worry about our appearance and how people perceive us. But there is so much more to us than the exterior. Like the Eiffel Tower, we have a light that wants to shine through. I personally have never felt comfortable in my own skin and I am extremely hard on myself but in that moment I felt like I could achieve anything. I am slowly working on becoming the person I am destined to be and slowly loving myself.
Another thing I thought about was how I came to the city of love "alone". I think people my age are so focused on finding the "one" and not wanting to be lonely. But there is so much growing to do and places to see that you can do all on your own. Because at the end of the day you have yourself and that should already be enough. The city of love is known for it's couples but the city of love to me meant loving myself just a little more.
October 11, 2015
Our final day in Paris was quite relaxing but we did do a good amount of walking. The first place we went to see was Avenue Montaigne. To my surprise, we discovered that all stores are closed on Sundays in Paris. It was still nice to window shop and look at the elegant architecture. We always see in movies about Paris being high fashion and everyone who is important shopping in Avenue Montaigne and I cannot deny that's the vibe I got when I was there. Even though no stores were opened, people were still dressed up and looked very chic. We then went to the Musee d'Art Moderne. I have been obsessed with Andy Warhol's work for as long as I could imagine and I could to contain my excitement when I saw the Andy Warhol exhibit. The exhibit was phenomenal and bigger than I had imagined. I think Paris museums are by far my favorite kinds of museums due to the architecture, the layouts of the exhibits and the details. Sarah and I then went to a cafe near the museum where we ordered the same salad we had gotten the other day because like I said before, it is the absolute GREATEST. Our day ended earlier than expected and we concluded our day buying souvenirs for our friends and families. I really did fall in love with Paris, France like majority of people who visit the city. It is truly everything you imagine and hear about from movies, television, and music. Paris was my first trip out of London and I am really glad for choosing it as my first one. Now I am looking forward to Spain and Italy that is coming very, very soon.
xoxo,
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