ON Y VA PARIS!

Me and the gang at the palace of Versailles
The view from Notre Dame's towers - Paris and the Eiffel Tower

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever love a group of people in the same way and to the same magnitude as I loved my Study Abroad friends.


For a good two weeks, the catchphrase of the group had been 'On y Va Paris!' Then, finally, some kind soul arranged all the necessities, and I found myself tagging along - taking the two hour train ride to the City of Light with what would pass as a bunch of giggling teenagers. And oh boy! the madness that followed... It was a spectacular time.

MISCHIEF AND MEMORIES:

That time half the group showed up an hour late to the towers of Notre Dame, and then proceeded to piss everyone and their mothers off by jumping in line.
That time I was appointed to the position of honorary tour guide, and proceeded to spout out every ounce of my historical knowledge to the group, whether people were listening or no. I must have been the only one who was excited about the medieval abode of Heloise d'Abelard. I can't think why.
That time Rita and a few others walked into a wedding behind the bride, and almost got to be a part of the ceremony.
That time when Penny, Maylena and Rita had nowhere to sleep for the night, and wanted to spend the night in a church till they saw (some) reason. I ended up sneaking Maylena into my hostel room where she slept on the floor.
That time we were in hysterics about Jean Jaures.
That time we lay beneath the Eiffel Tower and tried to do headstands.
That time Maylena and I took the MOST FRENCH PHOTOS EVER.
That other time Maylena and I snuck away from the group to discover the real home of Nicholas Flamel. Now a restaurant, the façade is still gorgeously ancient, and Maylena managed to barge her way inside while the place was being cleaned, offering us a glimpse of the low timber framed ceilings.
That time we took the train to Versailles and spent our time lazing about and picnicking on the grass beside Marie Antoinette's hamlet.
That time we all stood in front of the painting of Empress Josephine's coronation, speechless. (What a bunch of nerds, right?)
That time Rita and I wove flower crowns of dandelions.
That time when Nicole was awesome, Alejandra was beautiful, Liz was screeching with excitement, and Penny was acting not-at-all-impressed by our antics. Oh. Wait. That was ALL THE TIME. 

 

Me and Maylena and Rita
All of our feet on a golden disc in Paris
The view of Paris from the top of Notre Dame - towards the Seine and the Îles
My foot and Nicoles foot - our shoe patterns matching the floor at St Chapelle
Painted walls at St Chapelle
House of Eloise of Abelard in Paris
Ice creams from Berthillon in Paris
Geranium window planters on the Îles of Paris

Me in front of the Eiffel Tower with a bottle of wine, a baguette and a beret
 

IT DOES NOT GET MUCH MORE FRENCH THAN THIS:

A BAGUETTE

A BERET

A BOUTEILLE DU VIN ROUGE

A PHOTO AVEC LA TOUR EIFFEL


Cameras and books at a bouquiniste on the Seine
Books of Asterix and Obelix at a bouquiniste on the Seine 
Entering some random persons wedding near the Pantheon
Tomb of Jean Jaures at the Pantheon
Tomb of Victor Hugo at the Pantheon
Fire performer outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame at night
the Eiffel Tower at night lit up beside a carrousel