Hello again everyone! I'm apologize once again for taking so long to post my blog for Paris. I am finally settled back in in the States and getting used to the big time change! This will be my last "destination" post and I will have one final blog spot following this one (most likely I will post it in a few days).
Anyways, Morgan and I arrived in Paris on Sunday morning and were very anxious to get to our home for the next couple days. We were staying in a small apartment close to the town of Bastille. When we were walking over, we discovered a cute little jardin (French for garden) and then we went into our new home! Sunday was spent on another free tour, but unfortunately it was very, very, very rainy and very few pictures were taken! But it was a good introduction to the city. We also went to a very delicious dinner, as recommended by our host. We got a Salmon filet burger and fries...delicious! Once again, I think it will be easiest to walk you through my adventures in Paris via photos and captions. So here it goes!
After we got back from Montemartre, we wanted to explore the remainder of the city and take some pictures that we were unable to take in the downpour the day before.
For our last day, we took a day trip to Versailles, the palace built by King Louis the XIV when he decided to move away from Paris. The palace, the gardens, and everything are very extravagant, just as King Louis the XIV was. In fact, he even called himself the Sun King. Louis was also a very big fan of the arts and was responsible for allowing literature, art, and dance flourish during his 72 year reign over France!
I have one final post for you all, and that will be coming up soon!
Anyways, Morgan and I arrived in Paris on Sunday morning and were very anxious to get to our home for the next couple days. We were staying in a small apartment close to the town of Bastille. When we were walking over, we discovered a cute little jardin (French for garden) and then we went into our new home! Sunday was spent on another free tour, but unfortunately it was very, very, very rainy and very few pictures were taken! But it was a good introduction to the city. We also went to a very delicious dinner, as recommended by our host. We got a Salmon filet burger and fries...delicious! Once again, I think it will be easiest to walk you through my adventures in Paris via photos and captions. So here it goes!
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| Selfie in the Jardin |
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| Meet Gato (Spanish for Cat, so the cat's name was Cat). He came with the apartment and was the cutest little cuddly guy ever. He also lost his right eye to cancer, so he's a one-eyed kitty! |
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| This the face he makes when he thinks food is near |
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| On Monday we ventured over to Montemartre, a city famous for this beautiful church and its infamous Red Light District - home to the Moulin Rouge. It's not every day that your breakfast gets to look like this. It was absolutely gorgeous. We sat in awe as we ate. |
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| Americano and Nutella Banana Crepe! The best crepe I have ever had... I would love to have another one now! |
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| A little Disney tribute from the Sacre Coeur Basilica! |
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| We originally had a little bit of trouble finding the church, but we found it! |
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| View of the city from the church |
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| Of course we had to take a selfie |
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| Sacre Coeur Basilica - Sacred Heart Basilica |
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| The Montmartre Cemetery |
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| This one was really old. The first of the family was born in 1832! |
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| The cemetery also has kitties that live there |
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| The famous Moulin Rouge! It is a real place and is exactly how it is in the movie. The elephant building that Nicole Kidman lives in, however, is not. |
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| The weird Metro signs that are all around Paris |
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| Gargoyles on the Notre Dame Cathedral |
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| This is the "lock bridge" we all know so much about. Couples come here, put their initials on a padlock, lock in, and throw the key into the Siene River. The problem is too many people are locking their love on the bridge and eventually they have to be cut off! So hopefully their love lasts through the cut. My sister and her boyfriend put a lock on the bridge last summer, but I knew it would be almost impossible to find it! |
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| The Louvre and the famous glass pyramid. Unfortunately we weren't able to go into the Louvre because it's closed on Tuesdays... the day we decided to go. |
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| The glass pyramid was actually designed by an Asian American man who won a contest for the king. He won because he promised an invisible pyramid. I'm not sure what the appeal about an invisible pyramid is... but here it is, and I think it is a very beautiful thing to see. |
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| There is a garden outside of the Louvre and it has its own resident goats! Felt like India! |
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| View from the edge of the garden. Then we walked to climb it! |
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| We only went up to the second level because we took the stairs and it only went up there (669 steps still, the most we've climbed out of the entire trip). We would have had to take a lift to the top, but this was the view from level 2! You can also see the Sacre Coeur Basilica very small over on the left hand side in the horizon. |
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| Also, fun fact: Morgan and I climbed a tall structure in every country that we visited! So we were able to see the landscapes from above in each of: India (Sri Ranga Temple), Denmark (Church of our Savior), Germany (St. Peter's Church), and France (Eiffel Tower)! |
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| And... here's what we didn't climb! |
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| We stuck around until 10:00 and got to see the nightly 5-minute lights show! It was very cool to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle! |
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| From across the Siene! |
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| View of the Palace from the "Musical gardens" |
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| This was part of the King's Garden (a specific portion of the Musical Gardens) |
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| Look, she's holding off the storm! |
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| My favorite part of the garden |
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| I'm not sure what it was supposed to be, but it looked a lot like an amphitheater, though the way it is designed would not allow it to function like one |
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| It incorporated a lot of different materials into the stone structure, including teeth! |
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| Statue of Louis XIV in front of the Palace |
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| This picture isn't the greatest because their were people everywhere and it was pouring rain... but you can still tell that the Palace of Versailles is beautiful! |
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| While we were at Versailles, the Solar Decatholon was going on... and ASU was participating! AND THEY WERE IN 4TH! |
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| The house was completely self-sustained and was built and designed entirely by App State students, in conjunction with their partner school in France. This was the kitchen of the house! |
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| Our delicious last meal in Paris. We saved up so we could splurge on a fancy French dinner as our last meal. Morgan had Salmon Penne Pasta and I had a buckwheat pancake (more like a crepe) with smoked salmon and cream cheese. And we each had a glass of expensive, delicious Semillon white wine! |
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| And on our way home from dinner we met about 30+ of these fat rats in the jardin. I immediately thought of Ratatouille and realized that a trip to Paris wouldn't be complete without a few rats! |
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| The next morning, we headed over to the airport and after a long wait in lines, customs, security, etc., we finally boarded our plane and set our sights towards America. This was my last good bye to Europe for this trip, but I am sure I will see her again soon! |
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| And though it is much darker, Hello Chicago!!! |
Until then, au revoir!
Marissa
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