Paris was so much fun and in my opinion so much different than Barcelona. It might be because I don't know the area as much or because I don't know the language but it definitely posed some challenges. We got in late Tuesday night and only had time for a late dinner and a stroll around the block. The prices in Paris seemed to double! I am so used to everything in Barcelona being cheap that I almost didn't want to eat in Paris because it seemed so ridiculous!
To get a feel for the city and the area on Wednesday we decided to do another hop on hop off bus tour. This time we went on three different lines and got off where we wanted.
To get a feel for the city and the area on Wednesday we decided to do another hop on hop off bus tour. This time we went on three different lines and got off where we wanted.
We stopped at Notre dame and went inside. We also went to the eiffel tower and went up to the second floor. One thing to mention about Paris is it was cold! I almost did not mind sometimes because the weather reminded me of home because the air even smelled like fall. In Barcelona they don't really define fall the same as we do up north. It was very chilly up in the eiffel tower because it was also windy. Unfortunately we could not go all the way to the top because there were too many people. So we continued on the bus and got off at the Pantheon to look around at some shops and even see the gardens of Luxembourg which were beautiful.
The one thing that was different about Paris is most of the shops close around dinner time so after dinner we were always wanting to walk around and shop but everything was closed.
The next day was Thursday and we made the trek via metro to see Versailles. By chance we sat with two students who were studying abroad in Seville but spending the weekend in Paris. They were very nice and I got their information because in the end of the month I will be headed to Seville so hopefully they can show me around a bit.
When we get to the palace to our surprise it is closed due to a strike. We had no forewarning and neither did all the people standing at the gate whom had made the same mistake. It was really disappointing but apparently this kind of thing happens often in Europe. At least my phone made it into Versailles!
The next day was Thursday and we made the trek via metro to see Versailles. By chance we sat with two students who were studying abroad in Seville but spending the weekend in Paris. They were very nice and I got their information because in the end of the month I will be headed to Seville so hopefully they can show me around a bit.
When we get to the palace to our surprise it is closed due to a strike. We had no forewarning and neither did all the people standing at the gate whom had made the same mistake. It was really disappointing but apparently this kind of thing happens often in Europe. At least my phone made it into Versailles!
We counted our losses and headed back to central Paris and we decided to go to the Louvre! The line was well worth the wait, the whole museum is just so full of all different types and ages of art. Of course our main goal was to see the famous Mona Lisa. I think that Leonardo da Vinci was rolling in his grave when I took a selfie with her.
That night we found this amazing Italian restuarant right down the street from our hotel. It was so good we even went back on Friday! I had cheesy gnocchi, Aunt Ellen and Aunt Sue both got lasagna and Mom got raviolis! The next night we all got pizza except for mom who got a pesto linguini.
Thursday night we went to see the Eiffel Tower light up and sparkle at night which its beauty can not be captured in a picture or even a video. It was so beautiful, unfortunately they only light it up for five minutes every hour on the hour.
Friday was a more relaxed day, we went shopping! I think we were very successful and I can not wait to wear my new Parisian style clothing!
Saturday morning we left early for the airport where we had to part ways as I was returning back to Barcelona and they were going to Toronto. It was really sad but I am so lucky to be able to have had them with me abroad for as long as I did. This marks the halfway point in my time abroad and I think the next 6 week are going to seriously fly by. I know that I love Barcelona because each time I leave I am so excited to come back.
Thanks for reading! Also stay tuned because I have a few fun trips and activities planned coming up!
All my love from Barcelona,
Becs
Friday was a more relaxed day, we went shopping! I think we were very successful and I can not wait to wear my new Parisian style clothing!
Saturday morning we left early for the airport where we had to part ways as I was returning back to Barcelona and they were going to Toronto. It was really sad but I am so lucky to be able to have had them with me abroad for as long as I did. This marks the halfway point in my time abroad and I think the next 6 week are going to seriously fly by. I know that I love Barcelona because each time I leave I am so excited to come back.
Thanks for reading! Also stay tuned because I have a few fun trips and activities planned coming up!
All my love from Barcelona,
Becs