Spring Break Part 1 - Paris!

From April 17-20, I traveled to Paris with my pal, Alex. We were finally able to put into practice the French we'd learned in middle/high school. And we kept so busy! I'd guess that we walked over 12 miles each day. We spent money on NOTHING except for food and 3 euros to climb up the Eiffel Tower. It was so cool to see so many famous sights and experience Paris at a beautiful time of year, especially since I hadn't done any traveling in Europe before. Even connecting flights in Helsinki was a fun experience for me!

Some things to know about Paris that aren't in the guidebooks:

- Soldiers with machine guns are all over, because I guess parks and gardens must be defended with lethal force at all costs.

- Pre-teen girls who pretend to be mute and get donations from you are USUALLY perfectly healthy pickpockets trying to steal a few euros from you.

- If you order a hotdog, expect to get two regular-sized hotdogs in one long baguette with melted cheese on top. Not a light snack.

- Don't go out on Monday and Tuesday nights expecting to have a wild time doing anything anywhere.

- THE BASTILLE IS NO LONGER AN ACTUAL SIGHT, IT'S JUST A TOWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROUNDABOUT! Okay, that one might be in the guidebooks, but we sure didn't see it coming.

the view from the balcony of our friend's apartment

at the Jardin des Tuileries

Louvre

She's so much smaller than you'd think!

on the Seine

view from atop the Eiffel Tower

the tower!

Arc de Triomphe

Notre Dame Cathedral