It has been a little bit since I last posted, but I've been busy...namely visiting Paris. Yes, you heard right. I had the most magnificent long weekend in Paris. The following is a chronicle of my time in the City of Lights (and the city that stole my heart):
Thursday started off as usual, walking to Italian and then Conflict Resolution. But this particular Thursday, I was carrying a heavier burden on my back. My backpack, stuffed with clothes and essentials for my weekend in Paris, had to come with me to class because we were leaving straight from class to the Firenze S.M.N train station to catch our train to Pisa. We flew RyanAir and heard all about its ridiculous regulations on baggage and such. I was admittedly a little apprehensive about it. When we arrived in Pisa, we walked to the airport, checked in to our flight and off we were to France! When we landed in Paris, we had to take an hour bus ride to the city center, then a 30 minute metro ride to our hostel, St. Christopher's. So let me recap our transportation for the day: walk to Firenze S.M.N., train to Pisa, walk to Pisa airport, fly to Paris, bus to city, metro to hostel. We hit almost every mode of transportation all in one day, the only thing missing seems to be a boat. So needless to say, we were all VERY exhausted when we arrived at our hostel around 11:00pm on Thursday night. Goodnight Paris, see ya in the morning.
On Friday, we got up and went on a really awesome walking tour of the city. The tour is free, but you pay what you think it was worth in the end. This was one of the two best decisions of the trip because it literally helped us throughout the weekend with things to do and tips (like getting into the museums for free with our student Visa). We started at St. Michel's plaza and walked along the river, seeing the Notre Dame and the top of the Sainte-Chapelle. We kept walking down the river until we stopped at this bridge with locks. Our tour guide told us that this bridge was called Lover's Bridge and couples lock their love on the bridge and throw the key into the river to seal their love. Then the words "Sex and the City" came out of his mouth and I instantly knew where we were. I proceeded to freak out (anyone from TCU and home knows my obsession). This was the bridge on the series finale of Sex and the City where Big and Carrie come back together and she asks him to take her home to NYC. I had a moment. After that, we walked by the Louvre and had a small break. What did I do with my break? I had to go to McDonald's and get french fries in France, of course! The tour was over shortly and we went to the Eiffel Tower! Beautiful is all I can really say. It was mesmerizing. I couldn't look away. AHHHH. After taking some pictures there and walking around a bit more, we went to the Louvre. That place is HUGE. There is no way to see it all in even a week. We did stop by the Mona Lisa, a few Monet's and various others though. It was so cool to be among so many famous pieces of art.
It was a beautiful Saturday in Paris. We started off the day by seeing the Sainte-Chapelle cathedral. This was the second best decision made on the trip, by Brandon. We had to pay to get in and Brandon made a group decision to go for it. This is the coolest chapel/cathedral I’ve ever been to. It has the story of the Bible all around it in stained glass (the building is 75% stained glass). It is so beautiful and spiritual. The Notre Dame was next before lunch. We then took a river walk and sat down on the river for about 30-45 minutes. This was one of my favorite moments of the trip, our little group silent and enjoying the company and the city. After that, we made our way to the Musee de l’Orangerie, where the Monet Water Lilies are housed. These paintings are my all-time favorite paintings, so seeing them in person was surreal. And seeing them in person helped me realize their immense beauty even more, the best art I saw on the trip (and in my lifetime) for sure. Later that evening, we went to a mini-map museum to kill time and came up with a hilarious Miniland, tailored just to our liking. I, of course, imagined a Chick-fil-A (or the "C" word, as we say here to not give ourselves cravings) on my street with home delivery service. :) They also had a huge Google Earth display, and Rachel and I found TCU! After that, we searched for a restaurant and found a gem with amazing beef stew (perfect for the cold weather)! We decided to go see the Eiffel Tower from a tower across town and on the way, we had a great moment where Lyndsey shouted out for us to look back at the beautiful Eiffel Tower lit up at night. We all collectively looked back, sighed and immediately turned back around to walk because it was so cold! When we finally got to the tower, it was pretty expensive and outside, so we decided to pass (ha)! On the way back to the hostel, I got a Coke, the perfect end to a perfect day.
On Sunday, Brandon and I decided to sleep in a bit while one group of girls went to church and the other Versailles. When we got up and going, we went around the city to other landmarks, including the Sacre Coeur (basilica) for an awesome view of the city, Moulin Rouge, Arc de Triompe and a walk down the famous Champs Elysees shopping street. After a stint in the super long Musee d’Orsay line, we decided to go to the coffee shop where Picasso and Hemingway hung out. It was super great atmosphere with outside seating and a jazz street band playing across the street. After Brandon left to catch his flight, I had about 2.5 hours alone and absolutely LOVED it. I went to the Musee d’Orsay and saw some more Monet. Then I walked to the military museum and saw Napoleon’s Tomb. On my way to meet up with the girls, I intentionally got lost in a neighborhood and it was another highlight of the weekend.
The girls and I slept in again on Monday and then just went strolling on the river for our last few hours in Paris. Rachel, Moriah and I walked around the street vendors and I bought a painting that I think wrapped up my experience: the Eiffel Tower at sunset over the river, impressionist/Monet-style painting and people sitting and enjoying the scenery on the river. We then made our various legs of travel and finally got back to Florence around 9:30pm. Though I had a total blast in Paris, it felt so good to be back in Florence. And for the first time, I really felt like I was coming home. Ah, Florence...
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