Wow...I was actually in...Paris :)

Oh, París. Need I say more? Not going to lie...having over a three hour delay leaving Madrid was definitely not my idea of fun. Not sure I would recommend RyanAir. I know, Dr. B, you warned me and I should have listened, but instead I just chose the cheapest flight. Perhaps you really do get what you pay for...When the pilot said it was going to be about another hour (thankfully it was only about 35 minutes longer) I was about to call it a day and get off the plane. I'm so glad I didn't, however, because, as these pictures show, I had the best time! 

Ashley, Meghan, Blair, Helen, and Me on a pedestrian bridge along the Seine (just before going to the Louvre)

I didn't get to Paris until nearly midnight Friday (or should I say Saturday morning?). Getting a shuttle in advance to take me to the hostel was the best $70 Euros roundtrip I have ever spent. There was someone waiting for me at the airport, even thought the flight was so delayed. A friendly couple from Madrid and a mother with her two kids (going to Euro Disney) were also in the shuttle. It was so nice to practice Spanish with ¡gente tan amable! My friends were nice enough to wait up for me, too. Although I wasn't in the same room as my friends (don't freak out, Dad) they were just down the hall, plus I was in an all-girls room. The beds were made daily and the bathrooms were cleaned daily, too. We got a free breakfast every morning and free internet access, had the internet not been broken. I highly recommend this hostel. The only downside is that it's a bit out of the way of some of the major sights, but the staff is great and the rooms are clean and comfortable, albeit a bit small (Oops! hostel)

My first day I was off to the catacombs with two of my friends (there were a total of seven of us--so much fun!). The catacombs were so interesting and spooky--great for this time of year, being so close to Halloween. We then walked to the Luxembourg Gardens which are gorgeous. There were tons of families enjoying the beautiful fall weather, also great this time of year. 

I think we all know where I am here :). Still not sure how I feel about giant glass pyramids. 

Of course I have to mention what we did that afternoon...the Louvre! It's definitely true that this museum is just way too large to see in a day, in two days, in a week, well you get the point. But I loved seeing Egyptian art and of course the Mona Lisa. Yes, it's small. Yes, it might disappoint, but hell it's still the Mona Lisa. 

Inside the catacombs...BOO!

Girls being girls

Sunday morning we were off to Versailles. It's only about a forty-five minute train ride from Paris, so when in Paris, I'd try to take advantage of this opportunity. Just putting this out there--who the heck needs a Palace that size? Or I guess the better question is who the heck needs a palace at all? It does impress, however, but giant palaces tend to do that. Something very odd about the palace, though. There must have been some traveling art exhibit in the palace at this time and so in nearly all of the rooms I saw there were these anime/pokemón like structures. Not kidding. They were in the gardens too (also amazing). Still have no idea what they were about. You'd be standing in this baroque room and all of a sudden look over and there's something that looks like Picachu (not sure how to spell that...) staring back at you. Very strange. But perhaps I am ignorant of the exhibit. Must research this...

I think I'd look great in this palace, don't you?

After Versailles, we went to the Museé d'Orsay. Wow. If you are at all into impressionist painting this museum is a must see. The museum itself reminded me (and my friend Ashley) of Grand Central Station (is Grand Central based off of this museum...or the other way around...or neither? no idea) and is beautiful. It is so relaxing to walk around and take your time looking at the beautiful Monets, Renoirs, etc. 

Somehow later that afternoon I still had time to see the Eiffel Tower. Clearly has the wow factor. I went back at night to see it all lit up--certainly would be quite the romantic spot. Walking along the Seine from  Notre Dame was beautiful. 

There were a few things I didn't get to do--such as see Notre Dame during the day and go inside, among other things--but all in all definitely not too shabby for just about two days in Paris! 

Goodness gracious! I almost ended this blog without talking about the food. Two things, mainly--it's amazing and it's expensive. Crepes with apricot jam, yes please! A whole fish for dinner, I think so! Not knowing what you're ordering off the menu--makes it that much more adventurous! 

And before ending this blog...a big shout out to all of my friends on the trip who were amazing! I had such a great time with all of you. It was great having such a fun group of people to see Paris with who were so motivated to go here there and everywhere! I'd travel with you girls again anytime. Next stop...who knows? :)