Paris!

Paris was my favorite place I've visited in all of Europe. It is everything I had heard it to be and more. I was skeptical going there….but I was wrong. We were only there thursday night, friday, and until saturday afternoon. Which is long enough to know that I will want to come back someday and see it thoroughly. Below is a picture of one of the locks that is part of a famous tradition in paris. The tradition is for a couple to write their names onto a lock, lock it to this one bridge (which is now full) and throw the key into the Seine river below. Many a honeymooner has done this, so much so that one bridge is covered in locks and the tradition has moved on to other bridges. I think it is very romantic:).

Above is a picture of about half of the outside of Versailles from the front entrance. It was huge and overwhelming. I've never seen a building that big anywhere in Europe, but it is the biggest palace in the world after all.

If I remember right, the picture below is the room in which the monarchs stepped out onto the balcony to deal with the murderous mob of people below. The whole Reign of Terror bit for Luis XVI and Mary Antoinette. Notice that it is incredibly packed in all of these photos. Unfortunately, it was also stuffed with people who do not have the American notion of personal space. It was about 85% asian tourists, which was kind of surprising to me. The whole time I was like…BACK OFF. I would not recommend Versailles for anyone that has a tendency to get claustrophobic. I don't have that fear and I was stressed the entire time. Perhaps going not going on a weekend day (we went on friday) might help. The silver lining to that is that you feel like a bird set free when you get the gardens of Versailles.

Hall of mirrors. The famous room where the King and Queen of France met other dignitaries, hosted balls, and other important state events.

Versailles also has a museum inside of it as well. It was pretty cool, and significantly less crowded. 

Looking out over the Gardens of Versailles (It goes on for so long you cannot see it's end).

France (or at least Paris) has this awkward tendency to put random pieces of modern art alongside their historical works. It makes no sense and was awkward/laughable to me. 

Eiffel tower during the day. We actually only walked to the first floor (lame I know) but there was a restaurant there and we were tempted. Below is one of the best meals I've ever had in my entire life: ox cheeks. Yes, ox cheeks. To be more specific, ox cheeks with this ham/mushroom sauce on top and mashed potatoes. It was amazing. In Paris, we could not find a cheap restaurant. Though you may pay thirty dollars for a glass of wine and your meal, it is awesome. They don't really give cheap options. Like the night before I could choose duck, some sort of seafood, and different types of steak. When they go out, they must go all out I guess. I loved the food in Paris! The wine was great too. Just be prepared to pay for it;)

Walking through a garden trying to find the Louvre. At the time, I didn't know the building was part of the Louvre.

Ah the Mona Lisa. I did take a selfie with it, but it didn't look good so I didn't post it. We only actually saw 25% of the Louvre (after 6 pm it's free for students…but we only had like an hour and a half since the river cruise was at 8:15). I would love to go back and see it all someday.

A view of the sunset from a window.

The Venus (something). It's the other really famous piece of art housed in the Louvre.

I'm pretty proud of this picture. When we were exiting the Louvre, this is what we walked out to.

That night we took a night cruise along the Seine River. It is the "city of lights" after all. Paris is beautiful at night. Below are some pictures of Notre Dame.

And one of the best things to see in all of Paris, the light show of the Eiffel Tower at night. I tried to post a video, but it didn't work:(. If you see the Eiffel Tower, you have to see it at night. It is breathtaking, almost to the point of tears. It's magical, like Disney World for adults.

I'll post some pictures of London soon, but I'm pretty busy this week with a project, essays, and an internship I start tomorrow!