We got into Paris at around 9am but had to take a bus into the city so ended up arriving at our hostel at around 11am. Here's where the fun began. We had booked "Friend's Hostel" due to the low cost and its proximity to a metro station. There were some iffy reviews about the area but we figured that as long as we were aware we would be fine. Boy were we wrong. Though nobody got mugged or robbed within the less than 3 minute walk from the metro to the hostel (it was literally across the street), we were all a little shaken at being spoken to in a not so friendly manner... that's putting it very nicely. Anyways, we get inside to check-in, pay, and go to our room. It was a 6-bed dorm. We walk in to find two triple bunks and our two middle-aged Indian roommates. We huddled in a corner and quickly came to a consensus that we would be leaving ASAP. The hostel was supposed to have wifi so we figured we could find another place quick but of course it wouldn't work. We headed downstairs and after the owner tried to belittle our discomfort, telling us that girls stay there all the time and we'd be fine, we got our money back for one out of the three nights and said au revoir. We walked a couple of blocks into a safer neighborhood and settled down to eat and figure out our plan of attack. Luckily Laura had brought her Europe travel book and we were able to find a place we thought was good, call them, and secure our spots for the three nights. Needless to say, we had some wine to calm our nerves after that debacle was over. Or was it? After enjoying our lunch, we taxied to the new hostel which was just two blocks from the Louvre--perfect location! We were given the keys to a 4-person dorm only to find that it was already occupied. We were then moved to another room where the key didn't work. After giving us new keys not once or twice but three times, they moved us to another room. Same bad luck with the key. After about an hour of running up and down stairs, we were finally given a room that we were able to open.
Our good hostel (unfortunately I didn't stay around to take any pictures of the bad one..)
Having wasted almost a whole day in Paris we were eager to get going so we quickly freshened up and headed out. First stop- Notre Dame. Unfortunately the line was a tad long and after our day so far we weren't too keen on waiting so we decided to come back for the inside. We stopped for some crepes and then decided to do a boat cruise to the Eiffel Tower. Definitely a good decision as it allowed us to sit down and relax for a little.
Crepes! My first was jambon et fromage (ham and cheese)! Fantastique!
We made it to the Eiffel Tower only to find another long line (this became the theme of the weekend). We took some pictures and said we'd come back. We headed over to the Champs-Elysee and found a cute place for dinner before meeting up with Laura's friend, Kent who is studying in Paris. It was his 21st birthday so we went to the Latin Quarter with some of his friends to celebrate. After almost 24 hours of being awake we were all exhausted so we headed back to the hostel to rest up for the next day.
The next morning we got an early start, ate breakfast at the hostel (which was delicious--I am now obsessed with pound cake), and headed out to catch the train to Versailles. After waiting in line for a fair amount of time, we were granted free access (yay for being under 26 and a "resident" of the EU) to the extravagant chateau. It was a little packed but we were still able to see everything. Unfortunately, we did not get free access to the gardens so we didn't get a chance to see them. I was a tad disappointed because I remembered them being fantastic last time I was there. But hey, at least I saw them once.
Hall of Mirrors
The little bit of gardens we were able to see for free!
Once we got back into Paris we headed to the Eiffel Tower. After a quick picnic lunch of baguettes and fromage (yummm), we decided to take the stairs. I was okay with this decision due to my fear of elevators (I remember having a small panic attack last time around) but still a bit afraid because of my fear of heights/falling. However, I made it up all 668 steps to the second level without any major panic attacks (my hands were a little sore from the firm grasp I had on the railing the whole way up though..). The view was amazing and I'm glad I was somewhat able to overcome one of my fears.
Left: on the first level, Right: the last step- #668
Left: view of Paris, Right: me, Carly, Laura on second level
Afterward, we met up with Kent again and he took us to the Jewish Quarter where I tried my first falafel. Not a huge fan but it wasn't bad. Afterward, we were exhausted so we called it a night.
Sunday was Easter so we thought we'd be smart and head to the Louvre early while everyone was hopefully still at church. We didn't have to wait more than 20 minutes and were able to see all the exhibits we wanted to. Seeing the line on the way out, we were definitely glad we came early. Our next destination was Angelina's which is famous for their hot chocolate which is basically melted chocolate in a cup. I obviously did not partake but I did buy some macaroons which were delicious! We ate/drank our mid-day dessert while watching the world go by in Tuileries, the garden beside the Louvre.
Left: Winged Victory, Right: Mona Lisa
My macaroons: raspberry, vanilla, and pistachio!
Left: Angelina, Right: chillin in Tuileries
We headed back to Notre Dame for a look at the inside. Easter mass was going on. Hearing the organ fill the church was amazing.
Afterward, we picked up another picnic lunch of baguettes and cheese before heading to the Luxembourg gardens. They were gorgeous and the flowers were all in bloom! I found a couple of lions to take pictures with and a really cool tree!
Lunch at the Luxembourg Gardens
Left: Laura feeding the mutant pigeons, Right: the Luxembourg Estate
Me with some lions.
The cool tree we stumbled upon.
Next stop was the Arc de Triomph. We headed back to the Champs-Elysee mainly just to get pictures. Laura booked her flight to go back to Dublin for Sunday instead of Monday so after the Arc, we had to send her on her way. After a quick rejuvenating nap, Carly, Meredith, and I headed over to Montmarte to see Moulin Rouge and the views of Paris from Sacre Coeur at night. We got another crepe... followed by a dessert crepe.. and called it a night.
Left: Moulin Rouge, Right: Sacre Coeur
Left: Paris at night (Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance), Right: my favorite crepe-maker
Monday was a relaxed day as we only had a couple more things on our list before we had to head to the airport. First stop was the Bastille. We were a little bit confused. I had always pictured the monument that is there today but Meredith and Carly were picturing the prison that was stormed. Regardless, we took some pictures before heading back to Notre Dame to see the rear of the church. We checked out the famous bookstore "Shakespear & Co" and walked around that area to do some browsing through the shops. Then we headed back to the Louvre to meet Brooke! She happened to be visiting Paris the same weekend so we were finally able to meet up. She was with some friends from London and so we all went to a cafe for something to eat. I had some mulled wine with my last crepe, another cinnamon sugar!
Bastille
Rear of Notre Dame.
Left: the Seine, Right: Metro stop
Lock Bridge
Left: me and Brooke, Right: SUPERMAN (couldn't resist)
Left: outside of the Pompidou, Right: modern art
Left: me with some modern art, Right: sculpture on the terrace
Left: Sacre Coeur in the distance, Right: Eiffel Tower in the distance
We made it to the bus where over 100 people were waiting to get to the airport. The system was very inefficient and buses were leaving by flight destination. Unfortunately, Dublin was not one of the destinations listed (gave us a small heart attack that our flight was cancelled) so we had to lie and say we were going to Pisa. We chose the wrong city to pretend to be going to. The Italians are a rough crowd and did not like that they had been waiting so long. When Pisa was announced they forgot the line and charged the bus, shoving the poor ticket lady out of their way. It was actually terrifying. Luckily, we made it onto the bus and our flight was not cancelled. After a quick flight back to Dublin, we made it back to campus and I passed out from exhaustion. Now I've caught up on some sleep and gotten back into the swing of things. Next week is the last week of class so yesterday and today I had presentations and I have one more project due next week. I have a day trip to Belfast this Saturday (the 100th anniversary of the Titanic leaving port and Janelle-belle's birthday) with my Irish history class so that should be fun. I am glad I am not going anywhere for the whole weekend- I need a couple of days to rest. Well I'm off to class!
Au revoir!
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