Paris- C'est Magnifique!

Very early Friday morning I began my journey to Paris with some of my friends. We took the Eurostar which only took about 2 & 1/2 hours to get to Paris!! Since we were there through a tour group, we waited for our tour guide when we got to the Paris train station. While waiting, a very angry woman came up to speaking German. Katelyn's dad, who had just met up with her, thankfully dismissed her. It was quite an interesting way to start our time in Paris.

Once our tour guide Andrew met up with us, we headed to our hotel to drop off our things. We then headed into Paris with our first stop seeing the Eiffel Tower! It was quite exciting to see it for the first time in person! I definitely took tons of pictures!! We then headed to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees. Here we walked along the fancy shops along the Champs Elysees and had lunch. We got pita sandwiches from a French man who spoke English & said he had family in Ohio & was super excited to see Americans. It was quite funny & very pleasant to have the first person we meet in France be very pleasant. After eating(including pastries called St. Nicolas which were shaped like a man & delicious), Kyle & I decided to head up the Arc de Triomphe. After many steps, we made it to the top. It was a very nice view of Paris from up there!!! We then went back down to meet with the rest of the group & head to the Seine.

We then walked along the Seine River, taking in the sights, and went on a boat cruise on the Seine to see the sights along it(including the Louvre, Notre Dame, all the pretty bridges & many museums). After the Seine, we ended up next to the Eiffel Tower & got our chance to go up it!!! Unfortunately that day the view from the very top was quite bad due to fog. It was still cool to think about being at the top of the Tower though!!! From the second level, there was a much better view & the Tower started to light up and sparkle as we were on it!!!! Afterwards, we waited by the Eiffel Tower, once off it, to wait to see the light show from afar. While waiting I got my first crepe with chocolate, banana, and cream which was so so delicious!!!!(food in paris is amazing, I will keep mentioning it). Then we got to see the Eiffel Tower all light up & sparkle! It's so magical!!!!!

We then headed back to the hotel area & ventured out to find dinner. We were persuaded to go into a restaurant by the train station because the guy promised us free drinks. I decided, not knowing french, to order something which I had no idea what it was. My first course was called country terrine & the second turkey scallop. Kyle & Ryan also decided to be brave like me, Ryan having the same order & Kyle also ordering the country terrine. It came out & was definitely not what we were expecting, though I had no idea anyways. It didn't look too good but it really wasn't that bad. We then got our second course which was breaded turkey with pasta on the side. Actually pretty good. I also had some mussels that someone ordered & lots of bread. I was totally living up my first French meal! hehe! We then headed back to the hotel & rested, as I was so tired from being awake so early on very little sleep!

The next day started with our journey to Montmartre. We climbed the big hill and have time to explore. The church at the top of the hill, Sacre Coeur is so beautiful! I loved walking around it. We then walked around the area, through the artist market in the square and exploring shops around. It was such a cute area!! We then met as a group again & walked to the Moulin Rouge! On the way we passed some other moulins(mills) but none that were red! We finally made it to the Moulin Rouge, back in the sketchier side of the area. It was cool to see & super fun to take pictures in front of!!!!!

After that, we hopped back onto a bus & headed to Notre Dame! Another place that was surreal to see in person..So so beautiful & massive! The inside is especially beautiful with its stained glass. Although it was crowded, it was a very peaceful place to be!

We then had some free time & Ryan & I ventured the area a bit & then got a baguette for lunch, which was delicious! We also were eying the pastries but we didn't get any. We then joined the group waiting for the bus to go to Versailles. We kept thinking of the pastries & I decided we had enough time to go get one so we ran back to the place & I got a most delicious chocolate ball as we were calling it. I am so glad I went back because the bus ended up getting lost and we waited for a long time to go to Versailles. The bus finally came though and we were on our way!

I had been looking forward to Versailles. Unfortunately we got there later so Marie Antoinette's Estates were no longer open but I could still go in the Palace. The Palace was absolutely beautiful...EXTREMELY ornate, but beautiful! Could never imagine living there! It was also funny too because they were obscure pieces of artwork by a modern artist Jeffery Koons randomly placed around the palace. It was extremely out of place, yet it was still fun to see what you would find in the next room. After the palace closed, we went into the gardens a bit(SO PRETTY!) & then we walked around Versailles a bit, getting another crepe & just checking out the markets around and such. It was a cute little town. We then hopped on the bus to go back to Paris.

Back in Paris we decided to explore the Latin Quarter, where the Sorbonne is located, to check out the Happy Hours. We went to one bar and ordered a few drinks. After being there for a while, I was ready for dinner but some other people wanted to go out for more drinks so we split on. I was very set on getting Onion Soup(not called french onion in France though that is what it is) & creme brulee(which I have liked before High School Musical! haha). We searched & searched for a restaurant which had both but finally found one!! I also got a glass of French wine...it was quite an enjoyable meal! After having a very relaxing time at the restaurant, we headed back to the hotel where I again slept very well! On the way to the metro though we got to see more of beautiful Paris by the Seine at night! yay!

Sunday morning after breakfast at the hotel we headed, with all our things, to the Louvre! It is so huge but probably my favorite art museum ever!! I feel like everything in there is so important!! We first headed to the major pieces of work so we wouldn't run out of time to miss them. We first saw Mona Lisa, who looked as I thought she would except smaller. She is quite impressive though!!! Unfortunately after I took several blurry pictures of her, my camera died but Ryan took pictures for me in the rest of the museum! It's really great you can take pictures though everything is much more impressive in person!! We then headed to the Venus de Milo. Then Ryan & I ventured around lots more of the Louvre. One of my favorite areas was Napoleon III's apartments! It felt like being inside Versailles but in the Louvre! Super cool! There was just so much art to see! I could spend so much more time in there! Unfortunately we had limited time because we then had to go back to train station to head back to London! At the train station, waiting for our train, we saw all these guys dress in navy blazers, khakis & hats. Of course I started talking to them & they were the rugby team from the London Business School. They proceeded to give me temporary tattoos in crazy fashions. How I make friends everwhere I go! haha! They were lots of fun. Unfortunately I passed out on the way home instead of hanging out with them. I hear they were rowdy in the bar car though!

I had such a great time in Paris though! There was so much I didn't get to see & I would love to go back! It was definitely my favorite place I have visited while being here!!!! So far my second favorite European city next to London!!!

This week I have gotten back into the groove of classes. I was super productive Monday working on my paper for my outside class plus other various pieces of work. Then Tuesday for Industry class we headed outside of central London to the East 15 Drama School. It was a really cool school and we got to watch rehearsal for their costume drama where each student was assigned to dress another like an element in the periodic table. It was so creative!! We got to talk to the students a bit too which was really nice. We then had our performance class there in a rehearsal room & ventured back together, making a fish & chips stop on the way(prompted by our teacher Marina-love her!). Then today I had my normal two classes & tonight had a nice girls' night complete with cheap delicious Chinese food in Camden followed by cake & ice cream in the res hall..delightful!!! Tomorrow I have text & performance & then we are seeing In a Dark Dark House. Then very early Friday morning I leave for Dublin! I love traveling!! I am sure I will update on my trip when I return then!!!!