This weekend we got to go to London! Im absolutely obsessed with London, so of course I loved it! It was about as close to home as I could get out here in Europe. Boy, how have I missed English. I saw quite a few sites (although, only briefly), I saw Phantom of the Opera (amazing!) and Wizard of Oz (also marvelous), went on the London eye, etc etc. We had quite the little experience in our hostel... Someone snuck into our room and stole a laptop and two iPods... and everyone else's things were looked through. My backpack was all messed up and my passport case was definitely rummaged through. Luckily, my director had locked them all in a safe at the beginning of the trip. Thank goodness!! I've never wished that anything was more real in my entire life.
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It is getting pretty dang cold here in Paris... its not snowing (thank goodness!) But its bone-chilling cold. Last week I decided that it was time to get my act together and start visiting all the 'touristy' sites. One of those sites included, of course, the top of the Eiffel Tower. I am just going to get it out there and say that this is one of the most magical places I have ever been to in my whole life. It is impossible to explain. I just know that when I was up there I was extremely happy inside. The view was spectacular. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night. Not a cloud in sight.
The Tour Eiffel has a few different levels. I, of course, took the plunge and headed all the way to the top. But first we stopped on the second level. This level doesn't have the huge gate/cage thing so the view is nice and clear. It's not the top... but its nice. About 5 minutes after we got to that level, the Eiffel started sparkling. I wanted to die right then and there it was sooo cool. Just mesmerizing. The top was obviously awe-some as well (in the real meaning of the word). It was quiet. There were people all around me but we were above everything. Above all the hustle and bustle. Above the smoke, dirt and graffiti. Above the prostitutes and policemen. Get the idea? It was nice to really enjoy Paris. Paris is a beautiful city. Sometimes I forget that as I am walking around everyday. I am so lucky to live here. Lesson? The world that we live in is beautiful, take advantage of it!! If you don't like to see five billion pictures of the same thing- this isn't the blog post for you. BUT, if you do- I'm pretty sure that you will be obsessed. Versailles is one of the most beautiful places on this planet. It's huge! The details put into this palace were genius. Its awe-inspiring. While I was here I just could not wrap my head around the fact that people actually lived here. They lived here! They ran around these halls, slept in those beds, read in their sitting rooms, just everything. It was their home. There is no way on this great green earth that just one family could use that much space. Insanity! Its no wonder their people hated them. If you don't know the story- This was the royal Chateau of King Louis the 16th (or 17th) and his wife Marie Antoinette. They lived here right before the French revolution. As you may know the French rev was a crazy time. The people of france were literally starving to death, while the royal family was here^ enjoying a life of bliss. Here is France you will never find a baguette that is more expensive than about 1,30 euro. Yes, there is of course a story behind this. Just before the revolution, a group of women walked from Paris, all the way to Versailles to beg the royal family for food. Marie Antoinette was obviously just crazy- she basically said, if they are hungry "let them eat cake." But then it became a law that everyone has to be able to eat, so bread is required to be cheap! The gardens were AMAZING. Here goes brothers and sisters... I am going to be brief today. I am exhausted. This week has been crazy busy! I need a break but I don't want to miss out on anything in this little place I live. Time is running. Only two months left. Hopefully I have time to see it all. Probs wont. But maybe. The other day we went to Notre Dame... talk about sick. On the way up to the bell tower there were literally 'dents' in the stone steps because so many people have walked up them. Wow. I didn't know that was even possible. I went to where Quazzie lived. Seen the disney movie but now its high time to read the big kid book by Victor Hugo. Also, we have been getting our fun on here in Paris (except tonight I def bailed on the stake dance, nap much?) Went to the Pere Lachaise graveyard the other day. Found James Morrison's grave.
Also just nbd. |
HollieI lived in Paris, France from September 2011 to December 2011- some of the greatest months of my life! Paris for sure has my heart. Archives
November 2011
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