Paris Part Deux

The forecast in Paris for the three days we were there said it was going to rain, and rain it did. That didn't stop us though because on the last day we had much to accomplish. We started in the St. Michel district and walked across the Seine to see Notre Dame. 

We walked around inside and there was a service going on. I had no idea they still used it for that!

The hunchbacks of Notre Dame.

Afterwards we walked to the Galleries LaFayette. Last time I was in Paris I didn't have the opportunity to visit so I made sure that I could see what all the fuss is all about. The Galleries LaFayette isn't anything historic, its just a huge shopping complex full of designer clothes (obviously within my price range...not). It was fun to walk around and look at the 7 stories worth of stuff. 

Lock bridge. So pretty.
We designated our last night to seeing the Eiffel Tower. We took the metro and ate dinner on that side of the city. Master Reed ordered a horse burger, yes, horse. He let us all try some and it tasted like sweet beef. Then we stood in the rain drinking the wine from the farm in Germany and watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle.

best picture of the trip!
When we got back to our hostel, we decided to open a bottle of Absinthe I had purchased when we were in the south of France. I had been very curious to taste it because its suppose to have hallucinogenic effects and it's not sold in the United States. Unfortunately it was so gross and tasted like black licorice. Even mixing it with soda didn't make it taste any less nasty.

Paris

We were out and about in Paris on Sunday by 8am. We ate breakfast at the hostel...THE HOSTEL. This was legitimately the filthiest place I have ever stayed. Good thing Anna, Lauren and I are close because sharing a room with two strangers would have been the death of me. Why, you might ask? The place didn't even provide us a shower curtain. I guess Parisians are more comfortable with nudity in the presence of complete strangers.The mattress smelled like sweat and sour milk and our room was always very humid but thankfully we were barely ever in there.

The first thing we did was visit the Jardin du Luxembourg. We walked around for a bit and took pictures. Next we walked to the Catacombs.The Catacombs are an underground cemetery with the remains of over 6 million people, some bones dating back to before the French Revolution. The first time I was in Paris I held my friend Tyler's hand for almost the entire 1.5 mile walk under the city because I was so creeped out. This time, I was actually excited to see it. I didn't take many pictures but I'm sure you can Google image it!

After the Catacombs we took the metro up to Montmartre and saw the Sacre Coeur. We ate lunch at La Boheme-salad, steak and fries, and chocolate mousse. I don't think I'll ever be hungry again. I have also eaten more bread the past two weeks than I think I have in my entire lifetime.

We saw the Moulin Rouge while we were on that side of Paris. I wasn't that impressed. 

The Champs Elysees and L'Arc de Triomphe were next. Did you know that 13 roads intersect at the Arc? No lane lines and that many cars entering a round about...madness!

Our last stop was the La Place de la Concorde. 

We walked for about 12 hours this day. By the time we got back to the hostel we didn't even care about stinky beds. It was definitely a full day but considering we only had 3 days in Paris, we had to fit as much as possible into our schedules.

Dijon to Paris

On our last night in Dijon, our entire group went out for one last dinner-buffet style...would you expect anything less? Afterwards, we met up with some new French friends at our favorite Irish pub and bid them adieu.

In the morning we were off to Paris. We arrived at our hostel (I'll tell you more about THAT experience later) and headed to dinner at Gladines near St. Michel. 

please ignore my post train ride face and focus on how enormous this salad was

On our first night in Paris we wasted no time and went straight to Le Louvre after dinner. It was national museum day or something along those lines so every museum had free entry. Heck yes I'll walk around Le Louvre for free. Highlights of this museum- Mona and the Venus de Milo. 

Now, I am currently in the United Airways lounge with my professor aka Master Reed eating a chocolate croissant. Do I really have to come back? My computer is about to die but I will try to get the two last posts in before I board. A bientot!

Gigondas Wine Tasting & Provence

Last Wednesday (at least I think it was last Wednesday), we got the opportunity to meet a wine maker in the small town of Gigondas. We got to taste 4 different kinds of wine-two reds, a rose and a white. The wine was just alright compared to the other wines we have tasted on this trip. Still can't believe I'm getting credit hours for this...

'holive' trees

Lunch in Provence. Mom, it's your favorite...lamb ;)

dessert-macaroon, espresso, whipped cream & sorbet. What you cant see is a chocolate hazelnut tart and a dulce de leche tasting cake.

After lunch we got to hike up to a castle that was built in the 13th century and got to walk around roman ruins that were in the middle of the town.

I'm honestly surprised I survived this picture, it was so windy at the top of the hill I thought it was going to blow me over!

Switzerland

Doesn't this picture make you want to sing with the Von Trapp family? 

I can't keep track of the days anymore but Anna and Lauren are telling me that we were in Switzerland on Monday. Absolutely crazy...time flies!

Dinner at the cabin-fries, chicken, cauliflower and some sort of cooked vegetable stew.
 

Meat coma

Chestnut ice cream

Mont Blanc

lunch at Mont Blanc

 Lauren and her giant goat cheese salad

 Anna

 Fraiselle (fresh cheese) with almonds and honey

It's our last night in Dijon and we are going out on the town. Tomorrow we leave for PARIS!!!!!

Germany & Switzerland

I have excellent wifi right now so I'm just going to keep posting. Today we started in Germany touring an organic farm and....wine tasting. I have to say, Germany is the top place I want to come back and visit. I want to speak German, eat pretzels, and wear lederhosen. The people are so friendly and the Germans know how to eat!

breakfast at the hostel-museli with shredded coconut and prunes, coffee, bread and apricot jam.

Dad, this is what I was talking about! I couldn't help but think of you and wish that you were here eating breakfast with me. 

Organic lunch

Solaris. Bought a bottle but I doubt it will make it home.

We really liked the wine maker's son ;)...oh Germany.

After lunch we hit the road and headed to Vevey, Switzerland. Words cannot adequately describe this place. I wish I could have stayed the entire day and rest of the trip. Switzerland is by far the most beautiful country I have ever been in. It was surreal.

Lake Geneva

Not a bad place to take a pit stop.

 

Tonight we are staying in a hotel in the Swiss Alps. Yes. 

The view from my bedroom window. No big deal.

I am seriously loving life right now. I never want to leave. I think I'll just live in Europe for the rest of my life. Anna, Lauren and I are waking up at 5:30 tomorrow to hike to the top of a glacier, then we're off to the south of France! 

Riquewhir

Yesterday we visited a medieval town close to the France-Germany border called Riquewhir. It dates back to the 1400s-definitely the oldest town I've ever been in. We took the wine road up to chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg. It stood where the wine roads (going North to South) and salt and silver roads (going West to East) intersected. It was looted and burned during the Thirty Years War and was abandoned for two and a half centuries. After it was restored it was given to France from the Germans under the Treaty of Versailles.

oh hello.

Quiche Lorraine for lunch.

Wine tasting in downtown Riquewhir.

Big fan of the Riesling

Germany!

How the Germans do laundry