paris late january.

There’s truly nothing like Paris late January. In early September my best friend Kirsi and I were wonderlusting about making out way across the pond. Without a second to blink we were booked our first ever trip to Europe. The months before our voyage went by before I could say “bonjour”. Our 12-hour flight began and ended with the sun coming up. The jet lag that I felt once I touched dry land had me feelin’ some typa way. For the first time in my adult life I sat in a street corner café and drank a latte, which sent that jet lag packing. With my human compass by my side we walked, metroed, and taxied our way through the winding streets of Paris.

There were so many sights and smells that overwhelmed me making my way through this foreign country. One of the coolest things about Paris was these things called sugar crepes. There is a food stand on St. Michel that I proclaim has the best sugar crepes in all of Paris. The mixture of the ingredients were set to such perfection that no other establishment could live up to their excellence. Another things that was so great was the metro. I strongly suggest if you are a tourist like we were to use the Paris Metro. Although Kirsi is the human compass 5.0, midway through out trip I was able to, although in French, figured out which metro stations we needed to get on and off at. Many times Kirsi would say tell me that she “thought” we were going the right way but was not sure, knowing that I had no map of my own, I was unable to rebuttal her decision. Later having lunch with her brother, mom, and grandma I knew the reason why she always “thought” we were going the right way when she knew I had no idea which way was north, east, south, or west. Her brother pointed out to me that she always said “thought” before giving her route just incase we got lost, then it wasn’t her fault because she only “thought”. So take it from the map master herself always “think” and you’ll never get a hard time from your entourage. Although there were thousands of reasons why I adored Paris, one of the coolest sites we went and saw was the Palace of Versailles. Although on the outskirts of Paris the train made it simple to get to and from this beautiful structure. Once inside there was a chandelier with every room with the most extraordinary decorative wall molding you’ll ever see. It was so magical being able to see something so beautiful in person. Walking down the Hall of Mirrors made me feel like any Disney princess, even though there was about a hundred and one tourist snapping pictures right along side of me. Seeing the immaculate gardens made me want to frolick among the shrubs and trees but knowing it was probably frowned upon I resisted the urge. Don’t get me wrong seeing the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, or Arc de Triomphe never gets old, but neither does feeling like a princess. If you wander over to Paris I strongly suggest seeing the Palace of Versailles, it still has me dreaming of chandeliers in my future walk in closet.

I cannot put into words how wonderful my experience was abroad. I strongly suggest putting as many stamps in your passport as possible. Keep a look out for my beginner travel tips blog along with my Paris vid coming to you ASAP.

Wishing you clean rooms and homework free weekends.