paris - second times the charm

and so we went to paris. don't you think this is the most quintessentially parisian picture? i loved it. and i'm still not sure what bridge we were on but i am in love. paris really is a BEAUTIFUL place.

so to continue our trip, this was the 2nd place we went. i opted for the 'chunnel' (eurostar train from london to paris traveling UNDERNEATH the english channel at rollercoaster speeds). despite what the below picture shows, our excitement was feigned. we left our ghetto hotel in london with what i thought would be plenty of time to spare. but the tube gods cursed us and derailed a cabin delaying the entire jubilee line. ironic, eh? of course on the only day we are carting around our luggage, the cars are filled to the brim, people are basically hanging out the doors. we finally manage to stuff ourselves in, get off at the right stop, then i realize that the train station is separate from the tube in this particular stop (kings cross) and it is a FAR walk away. don't worry, we sprinted. i was dripping sweat by the time we got inside that railway car with 5 minutes to spare. eurostar you are dead to us. i will never ride you again - unless you are cheaper than airfare.

i'd been to paris before on my study abroad, but did not enjoy it as much as everyone says you would. try going with 35 girls who are getting fairly sick of each other after being together EVERYDAY for 3 months. drama drama drama. that combined with my first experience being the sewer museum (not as interesting as it sounds) scarred my initial visit. i definitely recognized every smell in that city - and it wasn't roses. this time was INIFINITELY better. no drama, no sewer museum, and i was in the city of love with my love everyday. how could it NOT be better?

favorites:

- eating a beignet every morning on the steps of notre dame - heaven.

- kissing on the eiffel tower - yes, it is magic.

- seeing over 100 original Monets many of which i'd never seen. WOW.

- banana/nutella crepes - i. am. obsessed.

- walking everywhere - it really isn't that far to get where you want to go

- thinking we were in the ghetto when really there is just graffiti everywhere

- someone understanding my french

- Rick Steve's guided tours (he led us to the most amazing places)

- seeing a frozen cat in a pond at Versailles

- Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate everyday

- street performers/venues near Sacre Couer

- stained glass windows of Saint Chappelle

- having an alarm telling everyone to exit the building at the Louvre and sneaking our way past guards to stay anyways ('we did not just pay 10 euros for this to leave!)

- using the Apple store's ipads for free internet (never had to pay for internet the whole trip!)

- browsing the many used book stores

- finding old ruins of buildings

- seeing an official ceremony (unsure still of what) at the Arc de Triumph

- lighting of Paris - they are supreme in their skill. everything is beautiful and romantic

- taking a 2 1/2 hours bus ride out of Paris to the Beauvais airport for our cheap-o flight out of Paris

- spending 3 hours to decide on scarves for my sisters

- shopping at H&M/finding a perfect coat for Anson at Zara

- sneaking into the Palais du Justice

- amazing wealth at Versailles

- the 4 SUNNY days in Paris

- making dinner in our little apartment (this apt was AWESOME)

- going to church in a 450 year old building that still had a place to hook your horse up to

mehs:

- revamped Moulin Rouge (kept it the same people!)

- smell of Paris

- getting ripped off at a street venue

- never being able to sit down except in fancy schmancy restaurants

- Euros (not as good as i remember)

as you can see, paris was nearly perfect!

on the chunnel

kissing on the Eiffel Tower

Anson drank a liter of milk every morning - it just didn't come any smaller

Steps of Sacre Couer

Saint Chappelle

View of Paris from Saint Chappelle

Gardens of Versailles

Hall of Mirrors

Notre Dame backview - i am in love with this pic.

like i said. AMAZING lighting.

i started this funny trend of jumping in front of famous places. but i was horrible at it.