"A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were built for." - John A Shedd
Paris, France
My friends Marissa, Ali and I flew from Pisa, Italy to Paris BVA. We were a little worried because a) we were flying Ryan Air b) Paris BVA is an hour outside of the city c) it was Paris, none of us speak French.
First of all, Ryan Air is a notoriously cheap air line. It is a "must" for students studying abroad. I think my our flight was around 40 euros, which is pretty good considering we expected Paris to be the most expensive trip. We were ALSO worried that because the airline is cheap, it would be shady or something. Everything was perfectly fine and the flight was quick and smooth. The problem is they only allow you a 10kg suitcase and THAT'S IT. No "personal item" or anything else. So, this would have been fine if I were not first in Italy, so my suitcase was 11kg and they gave me a hard time and I had to put stuff in Marissa's suitcase. So, a warning to any one else that will fly Ryan Air in the future: pack as light and as simple as possible and they won't give you any trouble.
Once we landed in BVA, we were prepared to take a personal taxi into the main city. It said it was about an hour ride and it would be 30 euros a person. We thought it would save our mom's at least one heart attack- but then we found the bus very easily. It must be very popular to fly into BVA because there were at least 5 coach busses ready to carry people from BVA to the city. This was only 16 euros. We got into the city and then took a cab to our hotel. The scenery was already amazing. It still feels like a dream. The Eiffel Tower may be one of the most sought after images in pop culture, and we were seeing it? We could barely wrap our heads around it. Not speaking French wasn't a problem yet. We only spoke our address and then the hotel receptionist spoke English. The stereotype of French people is that they hate Americans and they hate speaking English.
We stayed at a hotel instead of a hostel, props to Ryan Carrero's aunt for finding it for us, in the hopes that we would be safer and in a better location. we met him at the hotel. For those of you who don't know, Ryan, Marissa and I all went to St. Damian together! By the way, Paris is HUGE. There is so much to do that no matter where you stay, you will have to travel to sight see. But our hotel was cute, small, and centrally located. It was called the Nouvel Hotel Eiffel- for anyone that wants to go to Paris.
We got to the hotel around 10 and were starving, so we ventured out to find something to eat. Harder than it sounds. For some reason, the US is one of the only places where it is easy to find food late at night. We ended up finding a "kebap" place. Kebap's are very popular in Germany and apparently Paris. It is essentially gyro meat in a pita pocket. Afterward we stocked up on some fresh fruit and liters of water at a fresh market that was open late, for some lucky coincidence. We also learned that Paris is set up in the pattern of a snail; for a sense of better imagery, it would look like the Yellow Brick Road. So, the center of the city, or the center of the Yellow Brick Road, is the "1st arrondissement". If you spiraled outwards, you would travel to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... etc. arrondissements in a circular fashion.
First of all, Ryan Air is a notoriously cheap air line. It is a "must" for students studying abroad. I think my our flight was around 40 euros, which is pretty good considering we expected Paris to be the most expensive trip. We were ALSO worried that because the airline is cheap, it would be shady or something. Everything was perfectly fine and the flight was quick and smooth. The problem is they only allow you a 10kg suitcase and THAT'S IT. No "personal item" or anything else. So, this would have been fine if I were not first in Italy, so my suitcase was 11kg and they gave me a hard time and I had to put stuff in Marissa's suitcase. So, a warning to any one else that will fly Ryan Air in the future: pack as light and as simple as possible and they won't give you any trouble.
Once we landed in BVA, we were prepared to take a personal taxi into the main city. It said it was about an hour ride and it would be 30 euros a person. We thought it would save our mom's at least one heart attack- but then we found the bus very easily. It must be very popular to fly into BVA because there were at least 5 coach busses ready to carry people from BVA to the city. This was only 16 euros. We got into the city and then took a cab to our hotel. The scenery was already amazing. It still feels like a dream. The Eiffel Tower may be one of the most sought after images in pop culture, and we were seeing it? We could barely wrap our heads around it. Not speaking French wasn't a problem yet. We only spoke our address and then the hotel receptionist spoke English. The stereotype of French people is that they hate Americans and they hate speaking English.
We stayed at a hotel instead of a hostel, props to Ryan Carrero's aunt for finding it for us, in the hopes that we would be safer and in a better location. we met him at the hotel. For those of you who don't know, Ryan, Marissa and I all went to St. Damian together! By the way, Paris is HUGE. There is so much to do that no matter where you stay, you will have to travel to sight see. But our hotel was cute, small, and centrally located. It was called the Nouvel Hotel Eiffel- for anyone that wants to go to Paris.
We got to the hotel around 10 and were starving, so we ventured out to find something to eat. Harder than it sounds. For some reason, the US is one of the only places where it is easy to find food late at night. We ended up finding a "kebap" place. Kebap's are very popular in Germany and apparently Paris. It is essentially gyro meat in a pita pocket. Afterward we stocked up on some fresh fruit and liters of water at a fresh market that was open late, for some lucky coincidence. We also learned that Paris is set up in the pattern of a snail; for a sense of better imagery, it would look like the Yellow Brick Road. So, the center of the city, or the center of the Yellow Brick Road, is the "1st arrondissement". If you spiraled outwards, you would travel to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... etc. arrondissements in a circular fashion.
Day 1
We woke up and ate our fresh fruit on the way to our first stop. I had done some research prior to arriving, so we had a list of things we wanted to see. However, we had NO IDEA how far away everything was. We walked to the "Galeries Lafayette" because they had great reviews online. After an hour walk to the location, we find out it is just a shopping mall.
Next, we walked to the Luxembourg Gardens. The Gardens are famous for their appearance in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. It is also famous for having a "calmed atmosphere"; we did see a ton of people just sitting in chairs and soaking up the sun while we were there. The weather in Paris went from sunny and beautiful to cold and dark within seconds. Luckily, we had some sun while we were walking around. The gardens are framed around the Luxembourg Palace, which is now the home of the French Senate. It was modelled after gardens in Florence and was created in around 1612 for Marie de Medicis to resemble her native Florence home. It was not always well maintained, but currently is back in great condition.
Next, we walked to the Luxembourg Gardens. The Gardens are famous for their appearance in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. It is also famous for having a "calmed atmosphere"; we did see a ton of people just sitting in chairs and soaking up the sun while we were there. The weather in Paris went from sunny and beautiful to cold and dark within seconds. Luckily, we had some sun while we were walking around. The gardens are framed around the Luxembourg Palace, which is now the home of the French Senate. It was modelled after gardens in Florence and was created in around 1612 for Marie de Medicis to resemble her native Florence home. It was not always well maintained, but currently is back in great condition.
After the gardens, we made our way to the Pantheon. Honestly, I was picturing something different. I did not know that the Pantheon also had a dome on it! It was originally built as a church for St. Genevieve, but now it functions as the mausoleum for distinguished French citizens- among them, Victor Hugo and Voltaire.
The Pantheon sits right next to the University of Paris buildings and in front of a small church called St. Etienne du Pont. The Pantheon is obviously the main attraction, as you can see its dome from a while away, but the rest of the buildings are also very beautiful. The school buildings curve inward as if they are framing the Pantheon. The Pantheon looks out over all of Paris. Construction on the building began in 1758 but was postponed because of an economic crisis. It was finished in 1790. We stopped for a crepe before we made our way to the church and the Pantheon. Salted Butter Carmel Crepe- by far the best flavor I have tried. Delicious! Side note: Tap water in France is free (as opposed to not free in Germany and Italy)!
Although the Pantheon was gorgeous, all of us agreed we like the tiny church more. It was absolutely beautiful, the pictures will not do it justice. It sits off to the left and in the shadow of the Pantheon. If you ever have the chance to see it, don't pass it up. We walked and and were immediately greeted by ornate details for every square inch.
The Pantheon sits right next to the University of Paris buildings and in front of a small church called St. Etienne du Pont. The Pantheon is obviously the main attraction, as you can see its dome from a while away, but the rest of the buildings are also very beautiful. The school buildings curve inward as if they are framing the Pantheon. The Pantheon looks out over all of Paris. Construction on the building began in 1758 but was postponed because of an economic crisis. It was finished in 1790. We stopped for a crepe before we made our way to the church and the Pantheon. Salted Butter Carmel Crepe- by far the best flavor I have tried. Delicious! Side note: Tap water in France is free (as opposed to not free in Germany and Italy)!
Although the Pantheon was gorgeous, all of us agreed we like the tiny church more. It was absolutely beautiful, the pictures will not do it justice. It sits off to the left and in the shadow of the Pantheon. If you ever have the chance to see it, don't pass it up. We walked and and were immediately greeted by ornate details for every square inch.
After the Pantheon, we finally headed over to the Eiffel Tower! It was starting to get cloudy, so we were worried. This walk took us about an hour. Our hotel was in the middle of the Eiffel Tower and the Pantheon. No complaints about walking though! It is doable, the streets are VERY confusing, but the view is always great.
The Eiffel Tower is obviously the cultural icon of Paris, and of France as a whole. It was built in 1889 as the entrance to the World's Fair and is still the tallest structure in Paris. There are three different levels you can climb in the tower. The highest tier is the highest platform accessible to the public in the entire European Union, it is about as high as an 81 story building. The tower requires about 50-60 tons of paint every year to protect it from rusting.
Interesting story, when the Germans occupied France in 1940, Hitler tried to hang a swastika from the Eiffel Tower but the flag blew away within a couple of hours. It is said that Hitler might have conquered France, but he never conquered the Eiffel.
We went back on our last night to see the Eiffel lit up. It was awesome. Every hour it actually sparkles!
The Eiffel Tower is obviously the cultural icon of Paris, and of France as a whole. It was built in 1889 as the entrance to the World's Fair and is still the tallest structure in Paris. There are three different levels you can climb in the tower. The highest tier is the highest platform accessible to the public in the entire European Union, it is about as high as an 81 story building. The tower requires about 50-60 tons of paint every year to protect it from rusting.
Interesting story, when the Germans occupied France in 1940, Hitler tried to hang a swastika from the Eiffel Tower but the flag blew away within a couple of hours. It is said that Hitler might have conquered France, but he never conquered the Eiffel.
We went back on our last night to see the Eiffel lit up. It was awesome. Every hour it actually sparkles!
Day 2
Today we decided to venture to the other side of the river. Our first stop was to The Louvre. On the way there we walked passed the Musee d'Orsay, which is the home to a lot of French Impressionist art. Specifically, Van Gogh and Monet. The line was over 2 hours long so we chose to just go to the Louvre. It was dark and cold out, so being inside at museum sounded great. The Orsay is on one side of the river and the Louvre is directly across from it. It is absolutely enormous. Rachel told us that if you looked at every piece of art in the museum for 60 seconds, you would be in the museum for 3 months.
In front of the Louvre is the Jardin de Tuileries. This garden is famous because it has been around since 1564! It became a public park after the French Revolution, but it was created for Catherine de Medicis. The Louvre is one of the biggest and most famous museums in the world. More than 8 million people visit the museum each year. The building is a former palace and lies in the center of Paris, just off the Seine. It was first opened as a museum in 1793- during the French Revolution. Some of the most famous things in the Louvre are the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa, and the Victory Statue.
In front of the Louvre is the Jardin de Tuileries. This garden is famous because it has been around since 1564! It became a public park after the French Revolution, but it was created for Catherine de Medicis. The Louvre is one of the biggest and most famous museums in the world. More than 8 million people visit the museum each year. The building is a former palace and lies in the center of Paris, just off the Seine. It was first opened as a museum in 1793- during the French Revolution. Some of the most famous things in the Louvre are the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa, and the Victory Statue.
After the Louvre, we stopped at a diner to get some french onion soup- delicious- and hope it got a little warmer. We walked across the bridge in Paris that is famous for having the padlocks on it. The tradition is that you and your significant other write your initials on the lock and then tie it to the gate and throw the key in the river. There are bridges like this all over the world, but the one in Paris is controversial because one night all of the locks "magically disappeared". This is obviously a big tourist attraction, yet the government is not too fond of it.
While we were sitting in the diner, I looked out the window and recognized two other U of I students walking down the street. I obviously had to go say hi- it was so random. Like I said, small world!
After lunch we went to the Notre Dame. We passed the Justice Palace, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. These building are in great shape considering how old they are. Notre Dame is the cathedral for the Catholic Arch Diocese of Paris. It was built in 1163 and is one of the largest, most well-known churches ever built.
While we were sitting in the diner, I looked out the window and recognized two other U of I students walking down the street. I obviously had to go say hi- it was so random. Like I said, small world!
After lunch we went to the Notre Dame. We passed the Justice Palace, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. These building are in great shape considering how old they are. Notre Dame is the cathedral for the Catholic Arch Diocese of Paris. It was built in 1163 and is one of the largest, most well-known churches ever built.
Culture
All in all, we had really good experiences trying to speak English in France. There were some weird things that happened though. We were in the Louvre and it was about 2pm and we still hadn't eaten all day. We asked the information desk for any restaurants nearby that were cheap and close. He looked at us kind of crazy and said, "Well I can't give you any recommendations, I don't know what you like". It was weird. Like, that is why we asked you?
Then when we were in a chocolate shop, I took one picture with no flash on my phone- very discrete. The people start shouting at us in French that we had to leave and erase the picture. We didn't know what they meant at first so we just tried to say we don't speak French. They just got very upset and wanted us to leave.
Also, when I was leaving the airport I wanted to buy a cup of tea. It was 3 euro, and all I had was a 2 euro coin and a 50. So I handed the lady a 50 euro bill. She also got very upset and refused to take it. Its so crazy. Marissa and I talked about it like in the US the customer is ALWAYS right. Being a waitress you really listen to whatever the customer wants and you do it. Paris was the opposite. The rules are all up to waitress and she does not care how inconvenient it is to you. Luckily the guy next to me paid for my tea, again I have to pay it forward, but it was so embarrassing and actually very rude. Money is money?
Trick for blending in Paris: wear all black. Apparently, Parisians wear all black. I would think it would be the opposite and they would wear risky, trendy, fashionable colors. No- all black everything.
I guess I get why they have the stereotype of hating Americans. We don't speak French, and this is our fault not theirs? I guess I would like to think that Chicagoans is nicer to their tourists! The best part about the trip is no one got pick-pocketed! Apparently Paris and Rome are too rough cities when it comes to pick-pocketing, so thank God for that!
Then when we were in a chocolate shop, I took one picture with no flash on my phone- very discrete. The people start shouting at us in French that we had to leave and erase the picture. We didn't know what they meant at first so we just tried to say we don't speak French. They just got very upset and wanted us to leave.
Also, when I was leaving the airport I wanted to buy a cup of tea. It was 3 euro, and all I had was a 2 euro coin and a 50. So I handed the lady a 50 euro bill. She also got very upset and refused to take it. Its so crazy. Marissa and I talked about it like in the US the customer is ALWAYS right. Being a waitress you really listen to whatever the customer wants and you do it. Paris was the opposite. The rules are all up to waitress and she does not care how inconvenient it is to you. Luckily the guy next to me paid for my tea, again I have to pay it forward, but it was so embarrassing and actually very rude. Money is money?
Trick for blending in Paris: wear all black. Apparently, Parisians wear all black. I would think it would be the opposite and they would wear risky, trendy, fashionable colors. No- all black everything.
I guess I get why they have the stereotype of hating Americans. We don't speak French, and this is our fault not theirs? I guess I would like to think that Chicagoans is nicer to their tourists! The best part about the trip is no one got pick-pocketed! Apparently Paris and Rome are too rough cities when it comes to pick-pocketing, so thank God for that!