I feel terrible that I neglected my blog almost my entire time in Paris - I´m so sorry everyone! Either the internet was funky, nonexistent or I was spending time with my new friends from Pennsylvania. We had to be ready by 7:00am every morning and didn't get back to the hotel until 10:00pm most nights. While in other countries I also prefer to spend as much time possible away from the computer because I'm only visiting. So here´s what happened in a nutshell, and I hope you all will forgive me!
Well lets begin with yesterday and add the highlights of my trip later blog
So yesterday I...
was seriously saved by an angel. I began my quest to Barcelona (alone) at 5:45am, giving myself plenty of time to catch my 7:20 train across town. If you know anything about me though you know that if there´s one thing I´m really good at, it´s getting lost. And if there´s anything I´m better at it´s sweet talking my way into detailed directions. So as I was switching trains I fortunately asked an older man of about 40 where and how to buy my train ticket. After much confusion and energy to find the station he could tell that I was exhausted. So he graciously led me all the way to the door of my express train to Spain. Halfway through our journey his handle to his suitcase broke and he brushed it off like it was nothing! I arrived at my train with less than 10 minutes until departure, and if it wasn't for his guidence I would have surely missed it.
While on my six hour train ride I mentally prepared for a speedy exit when the train would arrive. I had fifteen minutes to buy a ticket and get on the ONLY train to Barcelona. Well, when I got there I soon found out that the train was completely booked. So sadly I headed downstairs and waited in line to try to find the other local train station. When I stepped up to the desk the woman told me "Run! Run on the train now!!" and pointed towards the steps. So I booked it up two flights of stairs and jumped onto the train just with only ten euros in my pocket.
When the attendent found out I didn't have the money he said I'd have to get off at the next stop (which I totally understood where he was coming from). Just as I was about to get off two women overheard my situation and paid for the rest of my ride. It was so kind and I was so relieved I almost started crying. The older woman and I began to talk and as it turns out she graduated from Ohio University and majored in photography! What a small world!
I then met Julia at the subway station and we soon headed to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean with her family.
Alright, now back to Paris.
I honestly don´t think I was able to experience all of Paris, but instead sample it and decide what I wanted to look further in depth next time. So here are my favorite spots (in order of rank) that I was able to enjoy but was sometimes rushed through.
1) The Louvre
2) Normandy Cemetary/Beach
3) Montreuil
4) Chateau Mont Saint Michel
I don't have enough time to go into detail now about them, but I will blog eventually... I promise!
Unexpected pros and cons of Paris
Here are some concepts that you don't notice at home, but can make a world of a difference here.
Cons
-No cold water - Ever. You might be dying of thirst but you'll never drink a cup of ice cold water like back home.
-Fear of small children - Everywhere you go your tour guide warns you of the Romanian children pick-pocketers. They have tactics that will distract you so easily you won't even know what happened.
-Extremely filthy - Especially in the subway. When it rains the gutters are filled with stinky sludge that in my opinion, is worst than in NYC.
-Everything is super expensive - The Europeans getcha with the exchange rate. They lable something at an average price but what most tourists forget is that the dollar is so weak right now it's nearly half the worth of a euro!
-If you're not in love, well, tough - Especially at nighttime or around the Eiffel, romance is everywhere in the air. For example when we took an evening boat ride on the Seine river we noticed locks attached to all the bridges we passed under. Eventually we found out that lovers carve there intials into the backs and throw the key into the river. How stinkin cute is that?!
Pros
-Social nightlife - The French usually get a bad rep that they don´t like Americans and won´t speak to them in English. Personally on this trip I never met a single snobby Frenchman who wasn´t talkative, easy going and most of all, helpful.
-Laid back attitude - Noone is ever on time, lunch can take three hours and everyone is just chillin everywhere, so what's not to like??
-The food - Sure, nothing tastes as good as an American burger, but the French really know how to dine! They take such pride in their cuisine, and make sure that it is always cooked to perfection (that's why it takes forever!).
Alright, well I promise to blog soon but I'm so busy living, taking pictures, and exploring Barcelona! This morning Julia and I visited a couple of museums with her friend Montse, but I will have to write about that another time...
One last thing! I promised a shout out to my crew from Philly! I miss you guys and I hope you're having a fun time back home!
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