Week gr8: Meeting the French

We got to France after a 6 hour bus ride. We made two brief stops in Beaune and Colmar, both mediocre when compared to the Pièce De Résistance - Paris.

Paris was so much fun.  We were originally worried about the weather, but it ended up only kind of raining on one day (and it didn't even really).  We had a tour guide named Julien who stayed with us all week, showing us around Paris and giving us advice on what to see during our free time, how to get places, where to eat (and where not to eat), and so much more.  One of the best parts of our trip was a city bike tour we took - it went around to many of Paris's famous monuments and was just so much fun (although we did have a couple wipe-outs, including Madeleine running into a car).  The first time we saw the Eiffel Tower at night, all of us fell in love with it - especially because every hour, on the hour, its lights would twinkle magically.  We actually went back to the tower every night except for one night, just to see it.  Ed Sheeran's new album had just come out, and on our last night Kanci and Maggie and I went back one last time to see the Paris's prize and listen to the album - another one of my favorite memories of the week.  The top of the tower was super neat - we went all the way to the top, and that night it was quite windy, so you'd turn a corner on the top of the tower and have to lean forward to combat the wind that else would push you back.  The Lourve was another highlight; we all finally got to see the Mona Lisa - it's funny how so many people travel so far to see this painting only to take a picture of it instead of really standing and appreciating it.  After taking our own pictures (we fell into this trap, too), James and I realized this and went back to just look at the painting and absorb this priceless piece of art.

When you hear about French wines and cheeses, you hear about them for a reason.  Our tour guide Julian, a Parisian, got us some of the best wines, cheeses, and cold cuts for a picnic after visiting the Palace at Versailles (which for the record I really did not like, because I thought it was extremely over the top).  These were absolutely delicious, especially the brie with truffle, the butter, and a goat cheese in the shape of a pyramid.  It was an absolutely scrumptious way to end our time in Paris (although technically Maggie, Kanci and I still had an extra day). Speaking of that extra day, I'd highly recommend visiting St. Chapelle in Paris if you're in the mood for amazing stained glass windows, and the Musée d'Orsay for some picturesque art. Also, the d'Orsay is in an old train station, so that's pretty neat!

If you're looking for the bottom line, it's this: Yes, people got it right when they told you to visit Paris.  It's a must-see place and honestly a pretty spectacular and historical city.  And, yes, the food isn't bad either.