Notre Dame and Exploring

Finally made it to Notre Dame! 

While Abby was sleeping in after her Bastille Day adventure I went with some of the other girls to see Notre Dame. It was very impressive. All the displays and the architecture. The gargoyles and bell tower were by far my favorite part! We walked around the church and got to see an original chandelier, the stain glass windows, and I bought a medallion as a souvenir! Then we waited in line for an hour and a half to climb up to the top. 

Holy stairs. There were a million stairs, and it was awful because they were all tiny narrow winding, worn, slippery stairs. I was very dizzy by the time we reached the top! But it was worth both the wait and the climb. It was another fabulous view of the city from up there. We also got to get up close and personal with the gargoyles. They are so awesome. Each one is unique and almost has its own personality. Some of them looked like the ones straight out of the movie which was pretty neat. Then others were very creepy haha. We also got to climb up into the bell tower where Quasi hangs out, you know :) It was so cool, I snuck under the rope to get my picture taken with the bell. Its named Emmanuel and it still works! I tried to hurry cause I was afraid that it was going to ring while I was under it! We met some guys who were studying abroad from Buffalo which was pretty funny. One of them lived right around the corner from one of the girls in my group. Such a small world! 

After Notre Dame we wandered around a little and found the Shakespeare and Co. Book store which was very cute! Then we went into some souvenir shops and I got a few other things for people back home! (I know you told me not to mom but come on, you know me, I have to!) The rest of the weekend has just been about relaxing and catching up on some sleep. I took a three hour nap after Notre Dame and still went to bed at 11 and slept til 10. 

The next day, Saturday, we just wandered around the streets and did some shopping! I bought 4 dresses and some leggings, so cute and great deals! Just can't resist the sales- my Aunt Paula must be rubbing off on me! :) Then we came back to write our papers. Yes a paper- 5 pages too! Ughh! haha it wasn't all that bad just put a damper on my evening. Sunday we just went back to that street market and I bough the cutest scarf. Then we went to the Mont Parness cemetery and walked around for a bit. It was quite the sight, just thousands of different head stones and monuments. Lots of family shrines and uniquely created plot markers. It was very interesting.Then we came back to edit papers, eat some grub, and go see the final Harry Potter film (3D) in Paris! Tres cool! haha :) 

C'est la vie a Paris! 

Stain glass window, beautiful.

Insane architecture!

With the girls under the bell!

That would be an elephant, a faceless creature, an angry mountain lion-like thing, and a pelican was around the corner.

Dude on the left was straight from the movie if you ask me.

Such a pretty grave site. It was all mosaic tiles and flowers.

Me at the Mont Parness cemetery with the Mont Parness tower in the back

Storming the Bastille in Paris!

What an experience Bastille day was. Hands down my favorite part of the trip so far. 

The day before the actual holiday I went with a group of people to a Fireman's Ball. Throughout the city all of the firehouses throw parties for the neighborhood the night before and the night of Bastille day. There is free admission, but they really encourage donations, and then they sell champagne and beer inside. Each firehouse does something slightly different and just like at home some are larger than others, but of course we went to the big one- right around the corner from the Bastille itself! 

The lines were insaneeee! I felt like I was in a mosh pit at a rock concert. People were shoving and hitting and the bouncers were not all that friendly. They kept shouting at people to move back from the fence but of course the people at the back were not moving so the people in front (like me right up against the fence!) couldn't budge. So then they decided it was a good idea to just two hand shove people back by pushing the fence. Right at me! I pretty much had impressions of the fence pattern all over my body. But we finally got in and it was a lot of fun. The firemen, oh my goodness, I almost think they hired male models to walk around in the uniforms. Oh. La. La! See picturesss :) 

There were DJ's and light shows, a drum line performance, and then the firemen started dancing on the bar! ahhh! hahha. Then they pulled my classmates up there and we took over! haha. One of the girls in our group however had drank a whole bottle of wine before hand and then she stole a bottle of champagne which she drank most of herself. Not a good mix. She was sick all the next day and on the way out I had to practically hold her upright because she could barley walk. One thing that may surprise some of you, I have not been drunk at all so far this trip and I don't want to be either. I want to remember my trip and be able to fully absorb everything around me. Sure I'm going to have a few drinks but I did not come here and spend all that money just to spend more money on alcohol! I'd rather go the the Louvre and the Picasso museum! Anyways so while I was walking out with her this man tried to push in between us and so I kindly said "pas ici si'vous plait" meaning not through here please. Well I hadn't seen that he was using some brace like crutches, until he hit me with one that is! People are so mean! haha So while the ball was fun while we were in there I did not enjoy fighting to get in or the walk out as my drunk classmates were screaming out obscenities to the locals. It was truly obnoxious.

The activities on Bastille day itself was what was truly amazing. We went to the Eiffel Tower to enjoy a free concert that was going on. The crowds were insane! haha. We ended up going to a cafe to relax and get some coffee before we went to find a place to settle for the fireworks. My roommate Abby decided that she was going to go off on her own for a bit to get some metro tickets and find the lock bridge to put her lock on it. The lock bridge is a place where people take little padlocks with the initials of themselves and their significant other and lock them on the fence. Then they throw the keys into the water and this is supposed to symbolize their love- locking it up and literally throwing the key away. It is very romantic and quite the site. But I tried to tell Abby that this was not the day to get separated from the group. She didn't listen. I think she was just getting a bit annoyed of the city and all the large group traveling. She said she would find us afterward but of course she didn't. I was worried about her all night but knew there was no way to find her, no cell phones! She didn't end up getting back to the hotel even until 3 am -- we were back here by 1230.

Anyways the rest of us found a small little park where we decided to wait for the fireworks. We were surrounded by people from all over- London, Pairs, Spain, etc. It was awesome. We drank some wine and ate some candy and crepes. Then we made friends with these two little french boys sitting next to us- Leonn and Noah. Absolutely adorable! They kept throwing flower petals at us and laughing. Then they went around and asked us all our names- in english! Too cute. They started singing head, shoulders, knees, and toes but they got stuck when it came to the eyes and ears part so all 12 of us joined in and finished singing with them. It was so much fun.

When the fireworks started it was simply amazing. Looking around and seeing all the Parisians oohing and ahhing in celebration and being right there beside them was just an incredible feeling. The fireworks themselves were fantastic! What a show! Types of fireworks that I have never seen in random patterns, fairy dust looking stuff, baby pink hearts. It was so pretty right there by the Eiffel Tower- which shimmers every hour on the hour by the way, sooo beautiful! 

We headed toward the metro before it ended because we wanted to beat the crowds, and it was a good thing we did because that is why it took Abby so long to get back. She had gotten caught up in the mad dash of people going the wrong way! Thankfully we ran into a very nice french gentleman who helped us find the metro because most of them were closed for the night. It was crazy!
It was a night that I will truly never forget! 

C'est la vie a Paris!

This was the small dance floor at the Firemen's Ball

The Beautiful Firemen on the Bar!

The DJ and Light show on the larger stage

With Abby on Bastille Day

Waiting for the fireworks

Sparkling!

Versaille et Marie Antoinette

Ahhhh Versailles! Beautiful, amazing, and Pierre-Jean (PJ). 

 We got off the metro and the palace was right there for us to see. Initially it was disappointing because there was a bunch of construction around the main entry way which took away from all of the sculptures and artwork lining the way. Then we made it to the chateaux and we saw the extremely long lines winding around the court yard. We were not happy! Until Jean-Pierre took us right past everyone and waved his little badge to get us through. He's amazing. More on him later though. 

We had to split into two groups in order to go on our tour of the castle. I was in the second group which meant we had an hour to kill in the gardens out back. Now don't get me wrong it was absolutely beautiful seeing all of the different flowers and patters created with the bushes and fauna but it was freezing! The wind in the open area was intense! After walking around the garden, taking our pictures, and freezing we found a cafe where we could get some hot chocolate and warm up before our tour inside. My hot chocolate kept leaking all over me! I was not happy! 

Then we met in front by the beautiful golden gates and discovered that we had to wait for this really pushy russian woman to go in first. She and PJ had some words because she was shouting over him later on in the tour to give her own presentation. We all had head phones so we could listen to PJ on his microphone tell us all the details and history of the palace. Finally we got in and Pierre-Jean is so knowledgeable and witty it was the most enjoyable tour I've ever been on. He makes it fun because you can tell he is having fun doing it instead of sounding bored. While we were in the Hercules room some woman tried to join our group and so he had to stop and tell her to go away because it was a private tour. He's just so funny about it, firm but always with a smile and pep. He's coming with us on our two, three day excursions and I can't wait to get to know him and be entertained in Normandy and Belgium! 

After the main castle, which was absolutely beautiful we went to the King's private home and Marie Antoinette's private home. They each had their own chill spot away from the castle so they could get away from the public view for a couple hours or so. The King's home was pink marble! So pretty and definitely ideal for my future private home :) haha. PJ told us how their lives were spent surrounded by others. There were people sitting in chairs watching them sleep and on ottomans watching them dine in the dining room. Even when the Queen had a baby there were witnesses on hand to ensure that the child was legitimate. No thank you! 

Then we went to the hamlet that Marie Antoinette had built in order to feel more connected with her homeland and various elements of nature and farms that she grew up surrounded by. The village was beautiful. I swear it was what Belle's village in Beauty and the Beast was modeled after. So quaint and charming I can't even explain it. In addition to my private home I'd also like my own village and farm, okay? great! By then we were all exhausted. We slowly made our way back to the bus stop where we took off to the metro. My feet were angry with me once again, but a quick nap did wonders! So we went out to one of the fireman's balls for the beginning of Bastille day! (Stay tuned for the Bastille day post! haha)

C'est la vie a Paris!

The lower gardens

The Hall of Mirrors, so beautiful

The palace 'proper'

A swan bit my foot!

par le canal!

Well in the village!

This was pretty much Belle's house

Pierre-Jean, the best tour guide ever!

Classes and Cathedrals

Well, the actually reason that we're here has started...class. Its actually not all that bad. I was petrified that it was going to be entirely dull because its mostly philosophers-Descartes, Marx, Rousseau, etc.- but it turned out to be mostly discussion and group things based on the ideals and not the actual readings (which I did not do..like most others!). I read the sparknotes so I'm fairly prepared but obviously not as well as those who have actually read, but it worked out well and I actually participated quite a bit! I know me, its crazy...& I never talk in class : ) But day two is down and its not so bad!

Yesterday after class Abby, Tara, Erica and I went to the Sacre-Coeur (Sacred heart) cathedral which was stunning. When we first arrived off the metro it looked to be another sketchy area but when we turned toward the cathedral itself it was actually very touristy. The hill, and many many rows of stairs, were lined with different souvenir shops and vendors. The view from the top was amazing, as was the details to the church. Unfortunately we weren't able to take pictures inside but trust me when I tell you it was beautiful. All the gold leaf sculptures and painting, the different altars for the various saints. While I'm not an incredibly religious person myself it was something else to see others praying in the pews and on their hands and knees in front of the various saints.We didn't end up going into the dome but it was still an amazing view from the top of the stairs and hill. On our way back down we explored the different shops and eateries to see what we could fined and I got myself a necklace of La Tour Eiffel!

Today we only had class in the morning because in the afternoon we went to the Pantheon! We had seen the outside on our shopping trip to Luxembourg but the inside was stunning! It was fun to do something like that with the entire class as well. This time we went up into the dome so we were able to see a 360 degree view of the city from an incredible height. It was amazing to be able to put the various sites that the city has to offer into perspective with one another instead of just viewing them on a map or in a book. After the dome we went down into the crypt in order to see the significant deceased members that had the honor of being laid to rest in the Pantheon. This included Rousseau, Descartes, Madame Curie and her husband, Monsieur Braille, and manyyyy more. It was kind of cool knowing that these profound individuals from the past, that we hear and learn about all of the time, were right there within an arms reach.

After the Pantheon we went the Les jardins de Luxembourg which was right down the road! It was beautiful. The flowers and grass were so perfectly maintained it was insane. There were officials patrolling the grounds to monitor people's behavior and ensure that no one messed up any of the garden. There was also a huge fountain where children were playing with the little sail boats like you see in movies and such. It was pretty fun to watch. There were many statues, crazy trees that were rectangular, and people lounging out everywhere around the grounds. There was this one woman, with the longest craziest white hair who was either really drunk or falling asleep and she kept almost falling forward off her bench onto the graveled street. It was soooo funny, hahah. One of the guys in our group, Anthony, stood there and took a video of her continuing to fall forward and then catch herself. Then she woke up and saw him filming...busted! haha Too hilarious. We then went back up toward the Pantheon and did some shopping! I bought a dress and a tank top at this store called Pop London haha. It had really great Bastille Day sales! : )  I also order this hot dog in a baguette with cheese and it was the most delicious thing everrr! Basically anything smothered in cheese here is amazing!

Well off to bed early, Versailles and Marie Antoinettes farm tomorrow so I need to rest up! Bon Soir!

By the Sacre Couer!

Amazing street performer who juggled a soccer ball

Sacre Coeur up close!

I finally got my croque-monsieur!

The Pantheon

Focault's Pendulum

In the Pantheon

Luxembourg Palace and the garden

C'est la vie a Paris!  

The Catacombs

Today was full of a lot of waiting...

  We decided to go to the Catacombs today in order to walk through the underground tunnels and view the remains of the thousands+ who were relocated there. We had planned on leaving at 11:30 to get in line early for the noon opening. We got distracted however by the cutest street market filled with everything from cheese and bread (of course!) to clothing, pots and pans, dried fruits, and cooked pigeons. It was insane and very enjoyable. We didn't buy anything today but since it is held every Sunday we are planning on returning next week to make purchases and have a picnic by the Eiffel Tower! Something I can say I'm very excited for! 

   When we finally made it to our original destination we knew we were in the right spot due to the line stretching around the block. Turns out it opened at 10 am not noon. Oops! But the line actually moved rather quickly. While we were waiting Abby and I went into a McDonald's to use the bathroom- how strange. It was a men's and women's restroom. While I was washing my hands this dude came in.. caught me off guard! haha. There was also this dude walking around selling water bottles who would not leave me alone, kept on coming up and talking to me- he was Indian and I can barely understand french with a french accent so with his Indian accent I was lost! After 2 and a half hours (!) we made it in! It was such a great experience, which sounds kind of crazy considering we walked through this underground labyrinth surrounded by the bones and skulls of more dead bodies than I could ever imagine. But reading about the events that led to their placement here was remarkable. Bodies were transported and placed in the tunnels very respectfully and ceremoniously after they had just been left to rot due to lack of the proper space for the deceased. Other ended up there after being slaughtered for seeking shelter there during wars. Each individual experienced a different tragedy that led them to that final resting place where people come to visit them and hear their stories. It was intense. One of the girls was freaking out the whole time because she had completely psyched herself out over hauntings and spirits and stuff. Once she actually saw all the remains however she calmed down an realized that it was all in her head and that it was not that kind of a place. 

   After exiting the Catacombs we went out to lunch (at 4pm its still considered lunch here) at a very American like cafe called the Indiana. I got this delicious tuna sandwich with avocado and cheddar fondu on it. Yumm! At that point my feet were not happy at all! I now have a swollen ankle, shin splints, and sore feet from where new heels out the night before. But its all worth it! haha. Now we're just relaxing and trying to do some last minute reading/prep for our first day of class tomorrow- should be interesting! 

C'est la vie a Paris!

At the Market

The Geneseo crew waiting in line for the Catacombs

Just walls and walls of bones and skulls

In front of a crazy detailed stone scuplture

We survived! haha

My sandwich :)

Pub crawls and Pick Pockets

Wow, what a night. It was a lot of fun/an eye opener for sure.

Today started off really nicely. We joined the group of girls from across the hall and decided to hop on a bus and go shopping in Luxembourg! Several of us bought the most amazing pair of wedges (in different colors of course, hah) and I finally got a belt cause I've been pulling my pants up ever since I got here! :) My feet were an issue though, my shoes the night before cut open the tops of my feet so shoes was an interesting situation today. Once again we slept through breakfast so I was starving by the time we got there. But my roommates took all the good food at the sandwich shop (damn them! haha)  so I waited for another place an hour or so later. There were so many cute things that I wanted to buy for people but I figured I should wait since its only my first weekend here and you never know what we'll find! While we were in the shop though one of the women working complimented me on my Crackle nail polish! haha. She wanted to know how it works so we had a little bonding experience over how to apply the crackle polish :)  Then we saw the Pantheon which we stumbled upon by accident haha. So impressive! After our crazy shopping in Luxembourg, we headed back to the hotel for a much needed nap, and we quickly stuffed our faces so we could get ready for the pub crawl we all signed up for!

Chaos. We had no idea which train to take and where, witnessed a fight in one station, and we were traveling in a group of about 15 which made things tricky keeping everyone together. But we eventually made it there and got to see the Moulin Rouge! So awesome! The pub crawl consisted of three bars and a dance club and we got a discounted drink with a free shot at each stop, There were people from all over the world on the tour- London, California, Australia, Oregon, etc. It was awesome getting to meet everyone and talking about our experiences and getting to know them a little bit. Such a good time. Until the end of the night that is...

A group of us decided to leave early so that we could catch the last train back instead of splurging for a taxi. While we were standing on the square waiting to cross the street to the metro station a pick pocket grabbed my friend Julia's clutch and ripped it off of her wrist. By the time we knew what had happened he was already across the street. Stupid mo fo let me tell you if I hadn't been wearing heels... grrr. Poor Julia was a mess. But luckily he only got 20 euros, her phone, license, and room key. All replaceable, and not the passport or a large sum of money. Still it was very unsettling and a major wake up call. Everyone sobered up pretty quickly after that and we hustled back without any more problems. Well major problems. My feet were absolutely killing me in those new shoes, especially after being brutalized the night before so I was hardly capable of walking hah. While on the escalator in the metro station Abby sat down and unhooked one of my sandals and then her metro ticket got lost in the escalator- oops! So we quickly stopped so I could undo my other sandal and then sprinted to catch up with the group. Yes I ran barefoot through the streets of Paris last night! :) Stepped in everything sticky, slimy, and grimy, on my way back... and snuck Abby out of the metro station since she lost her ticket. It was most definitely a night I will never forget in the Red light district of Paris. Oh la la.

C'est la vie a Paris!

The Geneseo Girls at the Paris Pub Crawl!

My new friend Amy and I at the Black Sheep Bar in the Red Light District of Paris!

Our new Shoes!

In front of the Moulin Rouge!

Day 2- boat ride, walking tour, & first night out!

Oh la la,

Day two down! C'est increable! My roomates and I slept through breakfast straight til 11 am. We scrambled to get ready and then met the group at 1pm when we jumped on the bus to take us to the Seine for our boat ride tour. It was interesting all climbing into that bus and standing on top of one another. It also became evident that some of the people in our group are not all that city/travel experienced. They like to take their time crossing the road, and think they can also enter a city bus at the back of the bus. No people no! hah, more looks and laughter was directed toward us stupid americans. haha. 

The boat ride itself thought was amazinggg! Got to see my first glimpses of Le Louvre, Notre Dame, and of course La Tour Eiffel! Simply amazing thats all I can say. While picture give you a good idea of the scale and grandeur of the architecture, its true that there is nothing like the real deal. The details on everything here are incredible! I tried to zoom in on the Eiffel tour so that you could see the details so look at my pictures! Its just unreal finally getting to see all of these places finally! I can't wait to get closer to them all and really take them in. Truly fantastic.

 After the tour on the Seine we came back and regrouped for a brief class orientation...boring, even in Paris. Read this, test here, paper there. We get it already! Then we got ten minutes to break before meeting again for the walking tour of the area around our hote, The Fiap! It was actually quite interesting hearing about the history of the different places around us. We got to stand on the old prime meridian line which runs throughout France. See the only prison in Paris, and the most famous one in France. View the only old fashioned public toilet on the street outside of the prison- I really want to know how girls used that back in the day cause it seems as though its pretty much built only for men. Which I suppose is very possible! We also saw the entrance to the catacombs- which we're going to this weekend! So exciting/creepy haha.

     After we FINALLY got to eat for the first time today (I was starvingggg) Abby and I met up with some of the girls across the hall to plan our trips to Dublin and Milan! They are joining us on our Dublin excursion and we decided to go to Milan as well! Cannot wait, you have no idea! Then we went and got ready to hit the town to find the bars! 

   The first bar we went to, Studio 18, was alright. They only had beer and wine so it was somewhat small and quiet. Then we went to Cafe Australia. Damn was that fun! Loud music, crazy lights, dance floor, elevated dance platform along the wall, even a stripper pole haha. We had the best caramel flavored shots, holy crap! Its like candy! 3 euros each so I took it kinda slow tonight. But still had a great time dancing with everyone. Abby and I left the others somewhat early cause we decided that we didn't want to go too crazy on our first night...maybe tomorrow :) Bon Soir! 

 

Me on the boat ride of the Seine

Look at the details, its even more impressive in person though...

 

View of the Eiffel Tour from the Seine

 

View of the Notre Dame from the seine

Abby and I on the boat tour

 

Une rue/ a street :)

The best gelato ever!