Monet's Garden

After Alli and Megan left on Monday morning, I decided to go to Monet's garden. I feel like every time I'm in Paris, I go somewhere a little different and I never actually see all the main Parisian sites. Last time it was Disney, this time Monet's garden. I suppose it just gives me a reason to go back.

I had previously book a ticket into the garden and then asked how to get to there. About an hour train ride and 20 minute bus ride later, I arrived in Giverney. What a precious, tiny town. 

I walked into Monet's garden and was blown away by how beautiful it all was. It looked natural and landscaped all at the same time.

 I quickly walked through before making my way towards the back and to the water lily pond because I read that's the place were people tend to congregate. I can see why. It was perfect. I walked around it three times, took countless pictures and just stared at how pretty it was. 

I will probably have to post again once I can upload pictures from my good camera and not just my iPhone. I then when back through his main garden and toured his house. Part of me thinks that if I had a backyard that looked like this one, I might be an artist too! Probably not but it certainly was beautiful. 

I then wondered around the town before eating quiche for lunch and heading back into Paris. I checked into my hostel and was actually able to meet up with some girls were studying in Florence with me when I was their RA! When we met up, we found out that we were even staying at the same hostel. Pretty crazy. 

We had dinner and walked through monte mar and then decided to see moulin rouge because it was near by. We were a little disappointed there wasn't more to see there but I'm glad I can check that off my list! 

The next morning, I woke up early to fly back to Florence to meet Beth! There is nothing like returning to the city that you love and feel so at home in and then meeting your best friend there. It was a great weekend and the best start to my backpacking adventures! 

Paris day 2 with Alli

The second day (and really last day) Alli and I had in Paris was busy even though we didn't see as much. We woke up and headed to a little bakery to have croissants for breakfast. After that, we rode the metro to the Eiffel Tower. We took some pictures in front of it before waiting in the super long line to get to the top. We decided to climb the stairs to the middle level and then take the elevator to the top. It was really, really cold and windy. Megan was such a trooper and didn't complain about the weather even though she only had a cardigan. We climbed 703 steps up (according to Megan. I know it was at least 690 because they did number them) to the half way point. It was neat to be able to climb up the Eiffel. At the top, it was super windy but we were able to find a side where the wind was blocked to take some pictures. I have so many better pictures on my actual camera but for now, it's just going to be iPhone shots. 

After the Eiffel (which was about a 2 1/2 hour ordeal due to the line and everything) we ate lunch. Alli and I both ordered a sandwich and it was huge but the bread was so delicious! 

We stopped at a tourist stop and bought Megan a pink rhinestone love Paris jacket because she was freezing and then bought some Eiffel Tower keychains from my favorite sketchy people. They never let you down. We got back on the metro and headed to the Louvre. The line wasn't too bad to get in, maybe 20 minutes as the most. I got in for free because I am an international student and Megan did too because she's young so we only needed one ticket. Paris is really great about giving international students discounts. I have never paid full price or even at all for any of the museums, train tickets, or other attractions. We went in the Louvre and saw some Roman statues, look a picture of the Mona Lisa to prove we actually saw it, saw some African art, pacific island art, Greek, Etruscan, and Egyptian art. 

After this, we sort of wondered for about an hour. We tried a macaroon from one shop and then desperately tried to find crepes. Finally we decided to give up and head back towards the louvre to get back on the metro. We saw this line forming outside of a white fan and when we went over to investigate, we saw that they were crepes! They were right next to where we started! We waited about 20 minutes for crepes; I had Nutella, Alli and Megan had Nutella and banana. It took a bit of convincing until Megan decided the crepes would be safe to eat because they were sold out of a van and not a restaurant. The man making them was so nice and friendly and they were delicious. Unfortunately, while we waited for them, the sky's opened up and it started to pour! We attempted to find a taxi and then ran through the rain back towards the metro after waiting a while with no luck. We stumbled upon a metro station and it was a direct line back to the hotel. We went upstairs, tried to warm up a little, then headed out for dinner. I've decided I'm not a huge fan of French food and the man at the hotel recommended either Chinese, Italian, or a really good meat restaurant and Megan wanted Italian so it was more pasta for me! I am going on a pasta strike when I get home- no pasta for at least 2 weeks, hopefully more like a month. Haha. After dinner, we went to the oldest macaroon maker, Laduree. I saw my friend Angie Instagram a picture of it and we were determined to go. These macaroons melted in your mouth. They were the best I've ever had. Alli and Megan both got a cute box of them and I only 2 to eat, strawberry mint and pistachio. The strawberry mint was my favorite. The lady gave Megan a free one which was so sweet. It was late and raining again so we had to head back to the hotel. It was a great day again. I wish I had more time here with Alli but I know we will have many more adventures together in our life. 

Paris with my sister- day 1

When I came to Paris two years ago, all I could think of was how much my sister would love this city. I have dreamed of coming back with her and seeing her in what I assumed would be here element- her city. Paris is just so elegant, classy, refined and high class with its tree lined streets, white marble buildings with blue grey roofs and rod iron balconies. I just knew Alli would love it. And I was right. She said, "this city was made for me!" I believe it.

Alli has been nannying and the family she nannies for sent her and their 10 year old daughter to a French immersion school in the countryside for a week. Since they flew in and out of Paris, they spent 2 nights in the city and I was able to meet them here since my program just ended. They were even nice enough to allow me to stay with Alli and Megan in their hotel and it was much nicer than what I am used to since hostels are my usual resting choice because they are cheap. 

The hotel was beautiful- located right off of Champ de Lesaisses and by the arc de triump. I arrived about forty-five minutes before Alli and Megan and seeing them walk through the doors to the hotel was like a dream that I never thought would occur, at least not until Alli and I were older. 

The first day we somehow managed to squeeze a lot in. We grabbed lunch, bought Megan a sweater because it's in the low 60's here (in late June!!) and then headed out to explore. Since the Arc was literally a two minute walk from the hotel, we decided to go there first. We didn't know you could access the arc via a tunnel under the street so we followed some people across the largest round a bout in the world. I would say there's probably 8 lanes of traffic but there's no way of telling; cars just sort of drive where ever they want. We waited in a pretty short line and then climbed to the top. It was neat to be able to see the perfect circle the Arc sits in and the rest of Paris spread out below. It was nice too because you could still see the Eiffel Tower, unlike when you climb that and you can't see it, obviously. 

After the Arc, I convinced Megan she would be fine to brave the Metro so down we went. I downloaded an app that was very very useful and helped us immensely when we navigated the system. We took the metro to Notre Dame. It was a beautiful church. From the outside, I was almost a little disappointed because living in Italy, I am surrounded by and have seen so many huge, ornately marble decorated churches. But this one was pretty in its own way. To me, it became more impressive the longer I looked at it. There are so many statues covering it and we were able to hear the bells ring which was beautiful. We waited in about a 10 minute line again to go inside. It is beautiful inside. There is a plethora of stained glass and mass was going on so we were able to see and hear the chanting and singing. That was neatl but also a little odd because there were tourists just walking around which church happening. 

Next up, we went to find the Love Bridge that my friend Jenna told me about. This bridge is covered in locks and you write on the lock (either your name or you and your significant others name, but in this case, we did sisters) and then lock it to the bridge and throw the key into the river- thus locking your hearts to the city. On the way, we passes some crepe stands so of course we had to indulge in one! I had lemon and sugar, Alli had toffee and caramel, and Megan had banana and Nutella. They were all delicious. 

Then we found the love bridge, found a lock, and locked our sisterly love to Paris. 

It was getting close to dinner time so we decided to head towards the Eiffel because we wanted to see it all lit up at night. We found a restaurant and ate. When we finished, it was almost 9:30 and the sun was still up and shining! It was crazy. Since we had a 10 year old with us, we had to go back to the hotel because it was past her bed time. I was still glad we were able to see the Eiffel that day though even if we didn't see it sparkling at night. We had such a wonderful, busy day. 

Thoughts and Cinque Terre

I sat down and began writing about Cinque Terre on Wednesday but I didn't finish it before Thursday came around.  So I will talk about Cinque Terre but first I want to remember this.

Thursday (yesterday) was hard.  It was the end of the program.  I can't believe that six weeks have gone by.  It was too fast, way too fast.  I had to wake up at 4:15 in the morning to say goodbye to some really great friends, Jenna, Taylor, Devan, and Molly.  Girls that I wish I had known for longer than six short weeks.  From 4:15 on, I had to keep saying goodbye to friends.

There was a break in the middle of the day when I could almost pretend everything was normal.  I went to school, went out to lunch at Anita's, walked to the leather market, came back home and then some friends came to hang out before they left for the train station.  Six of us went to aperativo and it was almost normal.  Then right after 8:00, Cody had to leave for the train station.  

We were down to five, me, Emily, Jonathan, Anthony, and Conor.  We went to Lions and it wasn't normal. No one else came in.  We sat there and we did have a good time.  We laughed, talked about Disney movies, and watched our FSU shirt be placed on the ceiling.  A little after 10, we left and we all had to say goodbye.  And it isn't okay. 

Romana is too quiet.  The hallways are empty. There wasn't enough time.  Not enough gelato dates, gusta pizza's, anita's, or secret bakery trips.  But I don't know if there ever would have been.  When you are in a place that you love so much and then you are spending time here with great people, the eperience is truly one of a kind. Granted, I am sure we would have gotten annoyed with each other and things would have gotten rough but right now, I want it all back.
I already miss hearing all the noise, the laughs, Joseph yelling, "Carolllllll."
I had to walk back to Romana alone last night.  No one was with me eating hot pastries out of little white bags, Anthony wasn't sprinting past the vending machines because he "wanted to get home quicker," people weren't out on the balcony having fun. It was just a big, empty quiet house.
I am so thankful for this time I had with these people.  It might have been the best six weeks of my life. I know I will never forget this or the people I was with.

So on that sort of sad note- Cinque Terre!

Cinque Terre is beautiful- definately in my top 10 favorite places. It's five little towns on the ocean that you can hike to.  I hiked between 2-5 because the path between 1 and 2 was closed. It was about a 8 miles and it was amazing.  This was my second time doing it and I loved it again. It was really pretty this time because all the wild flowers were in bloom. It smelled like California to me.  It's funny to me how powerfully smells can bring back memories.  So now more pictures.  

Tomorrow, I will be off to Paris to see my sister! I can't believe I am actually meeting her in Paris! It's crazy.  From there, I will come back to Florence for 3 days where I will meet Beth and then we'll be traveling to Nuremburg, Munich, Prague, and Salzburg.  I'm then coming back to Florence for 3 more days before I go back to the states.  I won't have my computer and I am going to attempt to blog on my phone (assuming we have internet). When I get back to Florida, I'll finish blogging about my six weeks here.  I want to write about:

Running in Florence

My typical day

Rome

Greece

The Markets

Whatever else I don't want to forget! 

Wine Tasting and I'm a Viking

Florence is located in Tuscany, one of the most beautiful regions in the entire world, if I may say so myself.  Some people get confused and ask where Tuscany is and the best way I can think to describe it is like so: if Tallahassee is like Florence (not even close but let's pretend) then Leon County would be Tuscany.  Does that make sense? Tuscany is like Italy's definition of a county. Anyways, it's beautiful.  Seriously jaw dropping this place can't exist it's so perfect beautiful.  

I really wanted to do a wine tasting on this trip to Italy.  More specifically, I wanted to take pictures in a vineyard.  It was on my bucket list and vineyards are sort of magical to me.  Once again, they're just so pretty!  Erin, one of the other RA's, knows this adorable old man named Fernando who owns a vineyard in Montefiore, a teeny tiny little town in Chianti.  Six of us took the bus to a town called Greve and then walked up to Montefiore.  The views were mind-boggling.  I seriously didn't know a place like this could exist.

We made it to his vineyard where he produces 10,000 bottle of wine and olive oil a year.  He still had three people at the table from the wine tasting before ours so Erin graciously agreed to make my dreams come true and be my photographer as I did a photo shoot in the vineyard with the most stunning backdrop.  After taking roughly 75 pictures of me (haha) we sat down to taste.

  Fernando brought out plates of bread with salami and prosciutto and then cheese for me along with slices of bread drenched in his delicious olive oil.  We then ate while he chatted away to us in Italian and we drank 6 glass of red wine and tried the desert wine with biscotti.  I do not speak much Italian and everyone else at the table did so I only understand a little of what he was saying.  The most important thing I learned from this experience was that one of the guys who came with us was saying how his family is from Napoli and Fernando looked at me and said something along the lines of, "well, you shouldn't like her then because she's a Viking. She killed your people."  I am so glad to be tall, blonde, and apparently a Viking. 

After the wine tasting, he took us to his cellar where we saw where he makes and stores the wine.  Then we walked to the most precious little town ever to his shop and looked around.  It was a beautiful, perfect day in the most beautiful and perfect place.  Perhaps I will get married there one day to another Viking.