Falling in love with Paris one day at a time....

Paris reminds me a lot of New York. It's crowded, very smelly, and the streets are confusing for new comers and even sometime-ers. After circling parts of Paris a few (too many) times we finally arrived at the hotel yesterday- exhausted, tired arms from lugging around 5 suitcases, and cold. The hotel is cute and quaint and I mean quaint in every sense of the word.

This is the size of the hotel room, roughly the same size as my bedroom.


Honestly, I cant believe they call this a closet- this wouldn't even hold the stuff I have in my suitcase for two weeks. Let's just say this, if all the closest here are that small it's no wonder they wear the same outfit three days in a row...

It's so different over here.... But it's different good. Although, I felt at home when I was able to get one of these:



The food is fresh and delicious, getting dessert after lunch and dinner is pretty standard....and so is getting coffee. Dessert and coffee, two of my favorite things. The coffee here is so much more amazing (even the Starbucks coffee) than the coffee I can get at the local grocery store. The coffee alone will be hard to leave. Anyway, I digress...I know you all want to see the pictures, not listen to me chatter on and on about the fantastic crepes, pastries, coffee, and gorgeous men (who dress so wonderful- I find it hard not to stare). Also they have hot red wine with orange and cinnamon....it's pretty tasty.



I've tried to pack as much as I can into each day. The metro saves a lot of walking time, although even with the metro there is still tons and tons of walking. It's cold, windy, and rainy- but the sites and everything I'm getting to visit and experience makes up for the weather. In some parts of Paris there is still some snow on the ground. If I'm lucky maybe it'll even snow when I'm here. Here are a few pictures, with captions, from the last few days.

I'm sure everyone can recognize this one- the Eiffle Tour. At night it sparkles on the hour, every hour. It's a lot like tons of strobe lights all over. I haven't seen it in the day yet, but hopefully tomorrow I will be able to visit during the daytime and get some better pics and actually climb up the tour. I'll admit though, climbing all the way up that makes me a little bit nervous.



Hiked up this very long set of stairs to get to the Sacer Coeur.





Surrounding the Cathedral (Sacer Coeur) there were tons of little bistros like this- cozy little places with pretty delicious crepes.





Another one many will recognize, the Notre Dame. As I toured there were people having mass- pipe organs, choir, and priest not that I could understand what he was saying). This is another place I'll have to go back to during the day so that I can get a good look at the beautiful stained glass windows.



Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, Paris



That's all I've got for now- definitely looking forward to tomorrow.

Au Revoir!!!!!!

The Red Eye

This is my first real and true  international flight.  I'll admit I was a little a nervous, maybe even afraid. Being in a plane with no real exit for a lot of hours is a bit daunting. But, the first flight was pretty great, I had the entire row to myself.  :). I kept saying a little prayer that my second flight would be just as cozy.  But, it was far from the cozy I had imagined. 

I guess I never really expected that there would be so many people going to Paris the day after Christmas.  Guess I wasn't the only one with a really fantastic idea.  :)  Needless to say, comfort wasn't on the top of the priority list.  I guess it's been a while since I've flown, But can we about the size of seats!?!?!  I didn't remember how small, uh tiny, airplane seats are....it's like they expect everyone to have the tush of an adolescent girl.  That's not really what I got going on back there.  :-D. Just sayin'. 

Well, were getting ready to land in Paris, so I better get going.  I think its finally setting in that I'm really gonna be here for 2 weeks. I can't wait to see what the day holds.... stay tuned.  

SQUEE!!! I'm in Paris....  :-) 
  

It's Christmas Time in the City

GRE taken (and passed), check.

Paper submitted to the International Sustainability conference, check.

Packing finished, sort of check.

Finally, I think I’ve taken care of all those little odds and ends that needed to officially wrap up my semester and get my vacation under way. I spent the last couple of days running around crazy trying to get things together to finish up Christmas for my family and get everything I need for Paris. Just one more day and I’ll be on a jet plane headed to the other side of the world. As for now, I’m enjoying finger foods, Lifetime Christmas movies, Larry the Cable Guy and spending some good quality time with family.

May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and may your life be filled with abundant blessings in the year to come.

Home for the Holidays

The year is winding down. It’s a little strange how quickly it seemed to have flown by.

I’m sitting in my last class for the semester, it’s nice to have that feeling that I’m almost done for the year. I still have a paper to write….and it’s gotta be a good paper…fingers crossed I’ll be published by sometime early next year. That’s the hope.

Other than that, I’m getting ready to head out on vacation for 3 weeks. I’ll be visiting my family for a week and then I’m off to Paris France and Budapest Hungary! I’m really excited, I’ve never had the opportunity to really take a vacation, let alone to Europe. My plan is to blog my trip complete with pictures.

This year has been a fantastic year. I’m a bit sad to see it go, but I can’t wait to see what’s in store next year.

I guess I should get back to class….bah

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!