Paris (I can't think of anything creative to title this)

So Paris...

I was really worried about going to Paris in the fear that I would not like it. I have had many friends that have said they didn't like Paris when they went, because it was so crowded and dirty. I on the other hand really enjoyed Paris. Thank you Chicago. (I need to give more props to Chicago. The city of Chicago will be proud to know that a girl here has started calling me Chicago...I rather be called Texas or Austin, but I can deal.)

As everyone knows there have been the Terrorist Alerts and what not. Honestly, I wasn't too worried. If I am going to die from a terrorist attack might as well be somewhere enjoyable. The only signs of extra security that I saw while we were there was 3 military men walking around with large guns at Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame, two big tourist destinations.

Anyway.

We arrived in Paris on Thursday night around 9:30-10. By that time I was cranky and needed a break from the large group. I ended up standing off to the side in the lobby as people got room assignments. Sometimes being an awkward loner isn't bad, embrace it!

We(Me, Colleen, Kayla, Mina, Jack and Sean) decided to buy a couple bottles of wine, baguettes and cheese and go eat across from the Eiffel tower. Considering Brussels was so expensive and Paris wasn't going to be any different this was a nice way to start off.

We navigated out way down to the Palais de Challot and began our Eiffel Tower photo shoot.

Unbelievable. We were standing there taking pictures and I couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. You see it in books so you are familiar with it, but I was ACTUALLY there. Crazy.

We walked down from the Palais and found some grass and sat down and enjoyed our dinner and the view of the Tower. We were able to see the tower sparkle on the hour.

Sparkle on the hour

We had a lot of fun talking and just being in Paris. It was a great way to start of the trip. It was a mix of super touristy American but also felt like something nice you would do with a couple of friends if you lived in Paris.

Typical tourists....

Colleen, Me and Kayla.

After we finished eating and drinking we walked to the tower to walk under it and get some closer pictures. We were there when the tower lights turned off and it sparkled for the last time of the night, I think. (I am saying sparkle a lot and feel like I am talking about Edward from Twilight)

Sparkle, Sparkle

We ended up walking to the Arc de Triomphe where we grabbed a cab home.

The next morning we had a meeting with the Deputy Director for EU Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Interesting meeting. Could really see the French stereotype come out in him.

We then had some free time and could get out of our business formal clothes!!!!! We had been in them everyday so far and I was getting tired of them. All I wanted was jeans and sweatshirt. More reason to find a job where I can be casual all the time.

The Sacre Coeur was near our hotel so we walked up towards it and stopped at a bakery here I had a FABULOUS pizza, croque monsier(ham and cheese) and a brownie. So I eat a lot but all this cost me about 7 euro, a steal considering how much I was paying in Brussels. Everything was so delicious. I was so full and then proceeded to walk up hill, so it all evened out!

Sacre Coeur was so beautiful. The outside was incredible but when I went in I had a religious moment. I am not one to go pray in every church I go in, but when I walked into this one the only thing I could do was go kneel and pray. I have only experienced a moment like this one other time in my life. It was pretty special. I didn't walk all around in the church mostly because I was overwhelmed, but I know it was beautiful throughout.

Sacre Coeur. Couldn't take pictures inside, sorry.

After that we had a meeting at Notre Europe which is a think tank dedicated to European unity. This meeting was a complete bust. I feel like it could have been interesting but they were not prepared to present and were all over the place and didn't make any sense to me. Unfortunate but the end meant we were done with our meetings!!!

I really enjoyed all the meetings, but I also wanted some free time in the city. I realize the program revolves around the meetings, so don't think I'm ungrateful. I'M NOT I SWEAR!

After the meeting I took a nap so I guess I really didn't utilize my free time all that well. Haha. But everyone is entitled to naps.

We were going to go out to eat at a nice restaurant on St. Louis en L'ille, one of the island on the Seine. But one our way my friend Mina got her wallet stolen when we were on the Metro. We went back to the hotel so she could check to make sure she didn't leave it there, she didn't. She stayed in calling to figure out everything that needed to be done to cancel cards and what not. Luckily she loves Paris, so it is only a bump in their relationship.

Kayla and I ended up getting dinner at a little restaurant near Notre Dame. We both had a fabulous salmon. I used to complain about how much salmon my family eats, but they finally wore me down because I love it. Also, French men are much more attractive than the German men I have seen here, therefore making them more intimidating when asking for the check...

We then went to Notre Dame and snapped some night pictures and then called it a night because we needed to get up early tomorrow for our Versailles field trip!

So in typical French fashion when we got to Versailles it wasn't open because they were on strike. REALLY FRANCE REALLY!!!!!

We were given the option of walking around the Jardin and wait to see if they would open up. The Jardin was beautiful and so expansive. Ridiculous to think it was private. They ended up opening up the building but we didn't have much time before the bus was leaving. Could have stayed longer but wanted to spend more time in the city. The inside was nice, just like you expect a castle of sorts to be.

Versailles before we could go in.

Me and Versailles once they decided to stop the strike.

Once we back into the center. A big group of us decided to walk to Louvre and maybe go in. We didn't.

Me in front of the Louvre.

Then we walked to Notre Dame and walked through there. Impressive, but I felt like it needed more. I don't know. I guess it has been built up in my mind for so many years. Still beautiful but...

Me and Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

We then walked to the Pompidou Modern Art Museum. I'm sorry but some modern art I can just not do. I walked around for about 45 min but then had to call it and go sit in the cafe. I understand that some people can appreciate it but when I come across a room with crap all over the place that looks like my bedroom and can't appreciate that as art. Sorry.

After that Me, Kayla, Sean, Colleen, Kelli (from Lubbock) met Mina who had to go to the Police Station to file a report (a new tourist site she can add to her list). We went to St. Louis to have the nice dinner we had planned the night before. It was a 3 course meal in this little restaurant. I had veal stew with rice. YUMMMMMM, so delicious. It was a great way to end the trip. The restaurant was Les Fous de L'ile and was decorated with chickens everywhere. Good environment good food, recommend it if you go to Paris.

The American chicken. They had different painting/sticker art of maybe 8 other countries. All with stereotypical depictions.

We hung out a little when we got back to the hotel, but then hit the hay to wake up, pack and get on the bus for our 8 hour trip back. Glorious!

Well that catches you up on my past week.

I have a couple papers due this week, so I should be working on those.

My friend Lindsay from Loyola sent me about 7 RedEyes, which is the free Chicago newspaper. At school it was a daily routine to do the Suduko and crossword puzzles and I have been really missing them, so I am excited to procrastinate a little while doing those! I was walking yesterday and riding the tram doing one, just like Chicago. Also it has gotten colder here,it is now in the 40s. Apparently there is talk of some snow, but my HT says the earliest it snows is November but most of the time doesn't. But we are getting pretty close to November. I cannot believe how fast the semester is going!

Alright, I am procrastinated enough.

Love

Cass