Prague, Czech Republic
Aegina, Greece
London, United Kingdom
Perugia, Italy
Paris, France
Also, I will say that each country had it beautiful parts and less than attractive parts as well. Its really interesting too because I fell in love with Paris, France because I always wanted to go there. My whole name is French and I have always wanted to connect back to my roots. It was truly like a dream come true. I got to see the Louve Museum, Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées--Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame de Paris. For me I felt like I was re-living a Sex in the City esposide. Especially, when Carrie goes to Paris and sees the Eiffel Tower! The Louve I saw on Friday night! I was so glad it was free you have no idea. The group I was in took tons of pictures of the Louve inside and out.
We were all glad to finally be there. Even when I went inside I kept thinking to myself wow this is really happening. I have heard about seeing the Mona Lisa ever since I took art classes and finally seeing it honestly was a let down. It wasn't as picture perfect as people made it out to be. But honestly I was just so glad to be there and see all the beautiful pieces of art that didn't matter. I remember there was a breathtaking ceiling in the Louve. It looked like a giant flower in an animation planted on the top of the ceiling.
I was blown away and really couldn't take my eyes off of it. Then I remember meeting up with my friend from Spelman who is studying abroad in London this semester. It was refreshing to see her. This was my first time seeing someone from my school. Even though we had a little difficulty getting in contact with one another it was nice to see her. I think its really nice to see someone that you know from home or school or pre-abroad. Its really vital to helping you grow and learn from different relationships and friendships!
When I saw her we hugged and immediately began taking pictures. I think it was kind of like an instant grafication to not only see her but to take a photo. We took more pictures at the end of the Louve by pyramid statutes and then went to Starbucks.
This was my first time having some Starbucks and I will admit it was great! Its not that I don't love Italy and there great desserts and pastries, but its nice to have some comfort food too. We sat down and I remember eating a muffin of some sort. I was so exasperated with trying to find her that it was nice to sit down and eat something.
After we caught with the girls from my program we proceeded to go to the Eiffel Tower. We navigated through the metro station to get to the Eiffel Tower. It worth it though to see that incredible view. When I saw it I was like pinch me I think I've died and gone to heaven. There was something very mystical yet enchanting about the tower. It had a golden light that made it look absolutely breathtaking! It sparkled and had its own glow. It was so huge but I was so happy to see it! I seriously can't believe that I really got to see it.
Everyone including me made sure that we took tons of pictures. I don't know when I will be back but I can't wait to come back one day! Then we found a place to eat and I had a cheeseburger for the first time in a really long time. I remember th three of us got cheeseburgers and we were too happy! It was so good! I haven't had American food in quite a while. It was absolutely wonderful. One of the girls I was with was celebrating a birthday! What a great present to go to Paris I thought to myself. But I hope she had a good time in Paris! After all it is Paris lol.
When we got of the restuarant we walked toward the Eiffel Tower and it was midnight! The Effiel Tower was not only glowing but it was bubbling like a glass of champhange. It was amazing! Words can't even describe that sight. After that we were too excited to start the next day. We went to the metro station and thank goodness we found our hotels and went to bed :).
The next day I went with my friend from Spelman to the atm. Then we went in a local shopping store to get an umbrella because it was raining. It rained throughout the day! But I was so happy to be in Paris that really didn't matter to me.
Figuring out the metro station was very intricate and complex in France. There were so many lines and connecting points throughout France. We went back to the Eiffel Tower in the day time on Feb. 19th. The rain keep going and going but we took pictures anyways. I was too happy to be standing in front of the Eiffel Tower!
We walked toward the Eiffel Tower and we kept having African men trying to get us to buy their Eiffel Tower statues, key chains, and sourvenirs. They kept on screaming "Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga six for 1." It was classically funny! I won't forget it lol.
Then we stood in line to go into the Eiffel Tower. We finally went up slowly but surely seeing crowds of people ranging in background and age waiting to see this site. I remember seeing a group of kids who were standing in line to use the elevator. I kept thinking to myself as we elevated from one floor to the next "wow this is amazing I wish my family could this too"!
I really did feel like I was living a dream! A dream that doesn't always come true for people of color but man I'm glad I had that experience. Even though I was overlooking the city as we went up I was so mesmerized at the view I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It was simply and utterly breathtaking.
Though the rain showed up in my pictures, no photo I believe can do it justice completely. We got off at a few stops in the tower and took photos of France and the long map of countries around the world. Paris I will never forget you!
We went to just about the top and took more photos of everything in sight. Funny thing is when you get to the top not much was in sight but fog. On the way coming down I kept taking pictures of this unique structure. I thought I have to make sure that people at home see what I see right now at this moment. We went back on the elevator and took pictures of our group.
On our way out we went to the sourvenir shop in the Eiffel Tower. I was debating on what to get for myself and for my family. I was happy that I got two mugs with the Eiffel Tower on them and Tower statues/postcards for my family. When we got out the Tower we took more pictures closer to the Eiffel Tower.
Then we went to get a grab a bite to eat. Before we went off we wanted to see how much postage was to send off a postcard. It was less than 1 euro which was a plus. I grabbed some extra sourvenirs for my Grandma. After that we headed to a nearby shop to get some food. I remember having nuggets they were okay and really pricey but what can I say we were also close to the tower and France is expensive. I would say that France is definitely more expensive than Italy!
All day I just kept thinking wow I'm in Paris and my dream is coming true. It was too amazing to even fathom really that my dream was happening little by little. I kept thinking how blessed I was to have such an incredible experience to share with my family and friends.
After we ate we sent off our postcards to our family and friends. Then we went back to the metro station to go to our next location. After that we were off again to the Arc de Triomphe! I was so glad that we decided to go inside of the Arc de Triomphe. It was off white and had many intricate encoilings on the top of the building.
Taking pictures is always great from the outside but seeing it from the inside was great too. It would have sucked to come all that way and not actually go inside the Arc de Triomphe lol! I remember it was 6 euro to go up the building.There were many people in line waiting to see the Arc de Triomphe. We went in one by one up the stairs. At one point we stopped because there was like a lobby area to see more famous structures/sculptures close to the bookstore.
I remember my friend and I were reading that the Arc de Triomphe was completed more than 20 years after its dedication. I was blown away with the fact that it took so long to be complete. But no other structure that has that arch can top the Arc de Triomphe and plus the Wellington Arch in London is amatuer in comparison to the Arc de Triomphe.
At first it wasn't too bad but it felt like it wouldn't end after a while. I know it had to be over 200 hundred we climbed to go up the stairs and back down. That was definitely a workout that I won't forget. Those steps made me dizzy but overlooking Paris was worth climbing up those stairs. We triumphed up the Arc de Triomphe. Honestly it was so worth it. I can say that now because I saw Paris from a better view.
Even though it was raining I was overwhelmed with joy to see the city of Paris from up top! I kept thinking Paris just keeps getting better and better. As the rain was beating on my face I couldn't help but thinking this feels so good as I look at this view. Even though the Eiffel Tower was not so clear from my angle because of the clouds and gray sky, I didn't care about not having a perfect picture. I just wanted to inhale the French air as much as possible. Coming down was better than going up but both were pretty grueling.
Then we tried to find the Hard Rock cafe but I'm glad we ended up going that way because we ran into a beautiful site. We bumped into the Louis Vuitton store. It was so legit and prestige looking. Just looking at it I was in awe. Literally, the day just kept getting better and better.
So we took a picture of the outside of it and we went inside! Even though I didn't feel so dressed up I wasn't about to lose that opportunity for anything! I took pictures of the outside of the building from across the street. I was so glad we ran into it by accident.
When we went in the store they gave all of us who had an umbrella a plastic Louis Vuitton bag. I was like wow they really don't want anyone to mess up the store. It made me feel a sense of honor to be in this store. They cared about it so much that they didn't want to mess it up. Even if it was a rain drop it wasn't risk messing up the store. I could see why it was pretty amazing I must say seeing all those bags, key chains, clothes, dresses, shoes and luggage. I thought it was pretty funny how they had an army of men watching the items.
Literally, there were men posted on the left side of the store in black suits, white shirts and black shoes watching these items for dear life. It was something I have never seen before and the ride up the next floor was pretty great too. I saw a bluish green background going up the escalator. It reminded me of a discoteca type atomsphere.
When I got off the stairs I saw nothing but beautiful items from their spring collection. The prices were crazy expensive but I kept saying to myself "one day I'll be back to get you." I saw a jacket that was 999 euro which is ridiculous but someone will buy it I thought.
One girl in my group said, "Even if you could afford this, you wouldn't buy it because that's way too much for one item."
I understood what she meant but I still wanted something from this store one day. I remember I took off my hat and gloves while I was in the store. But I can't remember at what specific time. Anywho we circled the store and looked at the luggage and continous bags. I couldn't take my eyes away. When we exited the store I really didn't want to leave. But I had to go so we left and proceeded to the metro station.
When I was on the train I realized I left my hat and gloves in the store. I thought to myself well "at least they're in a good place now." I couldn't believe I left them in there but its not like that was the end of the world. So after our long affair with seeing beautiful masterpieces all day we ended with a big bang. We went to Notre Dame de Paris! Low and behold as we were standing outside of the church we saw a movie being filmed right before our eyes.
It felt unreal because I have never seen a film actually being filmed in front of my eyes. There was one guy in the frame with a gray shirt and black suit on under a huge black umbrella walking fiercely outside of the church diagonally. We kept watching and saying were gonna watch that film and maybe we were extras. It was pretty really cool I must admit.
After the shooting was over we went in the church. We took pictures of the inside of the church. We couldn't go pass a certain point because there was a church service taking place.The cardinal was speaking while the visitors and members of the church were in service. I couldn't believe there were people sitting through a service while visitors we taking pictures of the service and the church. It seemed very different yet chaotic to me at the same time. After we went exited the church my camera was slowly dying. We decided to go to the actual Hard Rock cafe this time. But before that we stopped in H and M.
H and M is such a great store and I can't believe I saw one in every country I've been too. I guess it really is a popular store lol. Well we picked up a few items and then went to the Hard Rock cafe finally. After that everyone in my group got a crepe except me. I liked crepes but they didn't have anyone I was truly stole on so I didn't get one. I wanted a strawberry and banana one but they didn't have it. I took pictures of the girls taking their first crepes in Perry.
Then we searched for a restaurant and finally found one close to our hotels. I had a great cheeseburger for the second time and had a great time reminiscing over the day! After that we went to our respective hotels and packed up for the morning. I still can't believe I had on tennis shoes and a shoulder bag during this trip. But sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. And that's as simple as that.
I got up really early and packed the rest of my stuff. We went to the metro station and headed to the airport. While we were on the stairs we saw many people coming back from the nightclub I presume. Many people were drunk and overly excited at 6am in the morning.
When we went on the train I remember there were two guys coming through this side entrance located on the train. One was hitting the guy in the back and screaming in French. We thought there was about to be a fight happen. Because they were being really loud and tons of guys just kept entering one by one from that particular entrance.
After they exited I was glad to see that the site ended. It made me upset because these men were men of color. Two of the girls I was with on this trip were not black. And seeing this occurence happen just personified stereotypes in my opinion and this was our last final memory in Paris.
Despite the ending Paris was phenomenal and simply a dream come true!
I was too in love with being there.
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