Lisboa !
So today was the last morning in Paris. Scott & Alli took their bags over to the bag check lockers at Gare d’Austerlitz, and then over to the Louvre. I finished packing up my room and loaded up my enormous duffel bags and then dropped them off at the « Consigne », the bag check in my building for the next week or so (that is, until I come home). Then it was time to say goodbye- which sucked. We had a great time last night : we went to this really chic restaurant called « Bollywood Lounge » for Indian food and drinks. That was really fun. After that, we went over to a market, picked up some beers and sat along the banks of the Seine looking over Notre Dame and Hôtel de Ville- until there was a murder ! Further down the river, somebody was pushed off the bridge and drowned in the river- so needless to say the cop action was out of control. From there, we hopped on the metro and went over to Oberkampf, in the 11th to this really great bar called « Café Charbon » - it had this great decor/theme and we had a good time, despite their Sangria being terrible. From Oberkampf, the metro was already closed, so we grabbed cabs and went over to Les Halles, the center of Paris, and to the bar we went to the first night we were in Paris – O’Sullivans. It was closed ! Luckily, we know the bouncers, bartenders and owner, so they let us in- even though they were closed- it was fun ! I walked over to the left bank and picked up a bike and biked home.
This morning, as I said, we said our goodbyes. I got on the RER and went over to the airport for my flight this morning to Lisbon- on EasyJet- interesting name for this airline. Nothing about it was really “easy”. If anything, it should be ‘Stand-and-wait-foreverJet’. The lines were out of control! And since there are no assigned seats, everybody rushes the gate to try and get the seat that they would like. The plane was new, but the seats don’t recline! A bit difficult to sleep, thank God it was only a 2 hour flight to Lisbon!
I’m staying at this nice Bed & breakfast/Hostel in Lisbon- very small and really nice. Today I did some great exploring. My first impressions of Lisbon- a beautifully colorful city that has three huge problems, a. DRUGS! I was approached ALL day being asked if I wanted to buy pot, etc. etc. b. Tons of homeless people, many missing all sorts of body parts and c. I forgot the third- but I’ll remember later.
The sites were really pretty, but my favorite was the Estacião Rossio- a train station! It was gorgeous! Later, I had a great dinner- it was kind of like a Portuguese paella- but better! Spicier and fresher rice and seafood. I did more exploring seeing the Coloseu (a theater), the Palacio do Justicio (Palace of Justice), three special praçais (plazas) and a really cool church! I tried to find another famous theater, but the map wasn’t so great- so I couldn’t find it.
But what I did read about, and see signs all over, and when I get the password for the wifi here, I’m going to find out about Rock in Rio- a huge concert where Amy Winehouse and I forget who else- but a bunch of other big names- are performing on 30, 31 May and 1, 5 and 6 June- of which I’ll be here 30, 31 and 1st. I’m really excited to go to that! I hope I can get tickets or figure it out!
Lisbon doesn’t have a billion things to do, but the city is nice to walk around in (minus the aforementioned)- but there are a few art museums, an aquarium, some cool bridges and towers and shopping too! Great things and they’re so cheap! I was shocked!
Well, I’m going to sign off and go relax a bit, I was up last night until 4AM and got up this morning at 8AM, so I’m a bit exhausted- the hour long nap on the plane didn’t suffice.
Be home one week from today!
Bisous
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Last day in France
So I don't know if anybody is still reading, but I'll post, I guess.
Today is my last day in Paris (with the entire group here)- it's so sad. I can't believe the semester is already over and it's summer! Where did it all go? Jeez! I wish I could live it all over again, the exact same way.
It's been great having the gang in Paris: Alli, Scott, Meg and her mom (Kelly). Today, I had to ditch them to, dare I say it, pack. So while they were out all day, I packed. I have so much shit! But like the good Pole that I am, I put all of the space bags inside one of them and squeezed all of the air out to make room. Haha- didn't need them- it's better to have the clothes as cushion.
Tonight, we're going to this place called Bollywood Lounge- a cool lounge in the Latin Quarter (that is, my study abroad group of friends)- my friends from home are going to Montmartre to see Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge, and eat at our favorite fondue place. So we'll be dining separately, but then after, we are all going to meet up and go out one last time in Paris (though I'll be back in Paris on June 5th, 6th, and 7th).
Tomorrow morning, I leave for Portugal. I'm very excited to visit Lisbon and then Madrid- but most excited to come back to Paris again, that is, before coming to NY. Though it may sound that I'm not excited to come home- I am. I can't wait to see my family and friends (especially you Callie!) but I'll miss my friends that I made here, I'll miss France, the language- the culture- the place itself! I wish I could just come home for a good 3 week or so vacation, and then come back to France. I loved it so much and I'm so grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime that my parents worked so hard to afford me. I love you!
Hope everything is going well with everybody back in the US- I miss you all- I think about you all the time. See you soon!
Au revoir!
Today is my last day in Paris (with the entire group here)- it's so sad. I can't believe the semester is already over and it's summer! Where did it all go? Jeez! I wish I could live it all over again, the exact same way.
It's been great having the gang in Paris: Alli, Scott, Meg and her mom (Kelly). Today, I had to ditch them to, dare I say it, pack. So while they were out all day, I packed. I have so much shit! But like the good Pole that I am, I put all of the space bags inside one of them and squeezed all of the air out to make room. Haha- didn't need them- it's better to have the clothes as cushion.
Tonight, we're going to this place called Bollywood Lounge- a cool lounge in the Latin Quarter (that is, my study abroad group of friends)- my friends from home are going to Montmartre to see Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge, and eat at our favorite fondue place. So we'll be dining separately, but then after, we are all going to meet up and go out one last time in Paris (though I'll be back in Paris on June 5th, 6th, and 7th).
Tomorrow morning, I leave for Portugal. I'm very excited to visit Lisbon and then Madrid- but most excited to come back to Paris again, that is, before coming to NY. Though it may sound that I'm not excited to come home- I am. I can't wait to see my family and friends (especially you Callie!) but I'll miss my friends that I made here, I'll miss France, the language- the culture- the place itself! I wish I could just come home for a good 3 week or so vacation, and then come back to France. I loved it so much and I'm so grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime that my parents worked so hard to afford me. I love you!
Hope everything is going well with everybody back in the US- I miss you all- I think about you all the time. See you soon!
Au revoir!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Summer!
Summer has taken Paris by storm.
By the way, sorry for not putting the Italy pictures links up! Here they are:
Pictures #1
Pictures #2
Pictures #3
So as for summer, it means, traveling by metro, at least during rush hour, is not only torturous, but you need a respirator. Just imagine all of those French people, sweating, in an un-airconditioned metro train.. Not good.
Thank God for Velib'. Vélo means bike in French, and libre means free, so they have Vélib'! It's so great. They're public bikes.. part of the public transportation system. So you swipe your card (Navigo), like a metro card, and the bike unlocks. You ride it wherever, obviously carefully, and following all of the road signs/traffic lights, under penalty of fines- which I almost got because I'm an ass - and it's great. When you're done, you dock it. Or if there is no dock, you can lock it up, and you take the key with you. It's so great. Plus, it's awesome exercise! Now I can get cardio in. A good hour per day..
Unfortunately, there are hardly any hills in Paris, except one- which I have to take to get home from class, it's about 1 km long. It's quite a workout. So I really love Vélib', especially since there is a docking station across the street from me.
What else? Well I'm certainly sad that this semester has FLOWNNNN by. But at the same time, very excited to see everybody at home. Ideally, I can come home for a month vacation, and come back- but I can't... I'm just very grateful for this opportunity. *If you knew how many times I had to retype grateful- French has screwed up my English....
Finals are next week.. I have one in Art History, one in "Actuality" (News), one in Paris, one for Grammar and one for Culture- so I'll be working, finally, unfortunately. But I will be done, with the exception of a 15 minute oral examination on Saturday the 24th, then all of my friends (and Kelly!) are coming to Paris on May 25th!
I leave for Lisbon on May 30th, then to Madrid on June 2nd, then I think back to Paris to say a tearful good bye, then back to NY on June 7th. Then Welcome Home Party on June 8th!
Can't wait to see you all. Miss you so much!
June 7th will be a very very bittersweet day for me.
OK- dinner and homework time
Love you all
Au revoir!
By the way, sorry for not putting the Italy pictures links up! Here they are:
Pictures #1
Pictures #2
Pictures #3
So as for summer, it means, traveling by metro, at least during rush hour, is not only torturous, but you need a respirator. Just imagine all of those French people, sweating, in an un-airconditioned metro train.. Not good.
Thank God for Velib'. Vélo means bike in French, and libre means free, so they have Vélib'! It's so great. They're public bikes.. part of the public transportation system. So you swipe your card (Navigo), like a metro card, and the bike unlocks. You ride it wherever, obviously carefully, and following all of the road signs/traffic lights, under penalty of fines- which I almost got because I'm an ass - and it's great. When you're done, you dock it. Or if there is no dock, you can lock it up, and you take the key with you. It's so great. Plus, it's awesome exercise! Now I can get cardio in. A good hour per day..
Unfortunately, there are hardly any hills in Paris, except one- which I have to take to get home from class, it's about 1 km long. It's quite a workout. So I really love Vélib', especially since there is a docking station across the street from me.
What else? Well I'm certainly sad that this semester has FLOWNNNN by. But at the same time, very excited to see everybody at home. Ideally, I can come home for a month vacation, and come back- but I can't... I'm just very grateful for this opportunity. *If you knew how many times I had to retype grateful- French has screwed up my English....
Finals are next week.. I have one in Art History, one in "Actuality" (News), one in Paris, one for Grammar and one for Culture- so I'll be working, finally, unfortunately. But I will be done, with the exception of a 15 minute oral examination on Saturday the 24th, then all of my friends (and Kelly!) are coming to Paris on May 25th!
I leave for Lisbon on May 30th, then to Madrid on June 2nd, then I think back to Paris to say a tearful good bye, then back to NY on June 7th. Then Welcome Home Party on June 8th!
Can't wait to see you all. Miss you so much!
June 7th will be a very very bittersweet day for me.
OK- dinner and homework time
Love you all
Au revoir!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
May is here! So is summer!
So, way too much was done in Italy for me to sum it up other than what I already wrote and what I'm about to write. Pictures, I took over 600 there, are helpful, check out the 180 of them that I'm uploading.
Milan was OK. The Duomo, second largest church in the world, was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. See pictures (I'll be doing that A LOT).
I only spent the afternoon in Milan, and that was enough. I didn't have that love for Milan that some have- but that's OK, I hear that from lots of people.
The next morning, we took the train to Venice to see Scott. The girls (Meg, Alli and Kelly) were in Venice visiting, so they all picked us up at the train station. It was very close to our hotel and Scott's apartment. Venice was the most incredible and unique city. The weather was perfect our entire vacation, first off- so that's always good. Sun and warm- just how I like it. There wasn't one thing that made me love Venice, it was the ambiance in general that made me fall in love. I can't wait to go back. But not only were the sites great, it was the tour guide that made it! Scott, no surprise, is an excellent tour guide. His way with words ("They slapped shit on the buildings, see!"- of course not LITERALLY shit.) and his overwhelming knowledge of one city is remarkable. I'm so glad he took the time out of his days to tour us around. It would've been much more difficult and less enjoyable without him. He also cooked us a delicious dinner of chicken, pasta, vegetables and plenty of Prosecco (bubbly Italian white wine). We certainly ate very well while in Italy. I didn't skimp on gelato at all- I averaged 3 gelatoes per day, I think. (Seriously) Thank G-d we did so much walking!
After Venice, we went to Florence to stay with Meg, Kelly and Betty in their awesome apartment. Florence was so beautiful. I loved the stones in the streets and the Duomo there too! It almost looked fake! So much marble (not like Venice, since it's too heavy and would sink into the Lagoon) but the inside was pretty plainly decorated- but just check out the pictures of the outside! The Ponte Vecchio was cool, but not as special as the Duomo or the Piazzale Michelangiolo, this place higher up overlooking all of Florence and Tuscany- breathtaking. Meg and Alli did such a great job taking us around- Thanks! We went to the Academia to see the David, which was really impressive. We tried to go to the Uffizi, the other wildly famous museum of Florence, but in Italy (don't even get me started!) they have some stupid ass rule where you need a reservation to see a museum- great for tourism, the next reservation was not until Saturday- so needless to say, we had to skip it. But we didn't skip the markets!!
After Florence, we went to Rome. Rome was SO cool! I loved how the Ancient was right next to the modern (or "modern", 1700's). The ancient ruins were the coolest thing to me! We took a bus tour and saw all of the sights. See Pictures. The next day, we went to the Vatican City. We paid for a tour, and waited 3 hours to get in! The tour was supposed to SKIP the lines! We were not happy. But the Vatican was the most incredible place! The wealth of the Roman Catholic Church is quite stunning. The "Musei Vaticani" (Vatican museums) hold some amazing artwork. The museums themselves are spectacular, the way they are decorated and painted. But, the Sistine Chapel, out of this world. No pictures allowed, so google it to see why it's the most amazing thing ever. The talent required for that, just awe inspiring. After that was the Basilica of St Peter. Also amazing- see pictures. The next day we did the Colosseum and ancient Roman ruins. Those were one of my favorites too. All in all, I just loved Rome and Italy too. The one thing I can't STAND about Italy is their "customer service" or lack thereof. I yelled at waiters (in Italian) twice, in one week. Ridiculous. (AND LOST! That would never happen in France of the US). Anyway- the last day, the girls had an earlier flight, so I sat outside by the pool at our hotel and soaked up the sun- which was very nice. Then I flew back to Paris (with a layover in London). I must say, British AIrways really impressed me! They were really really super. Can't wait to fly with them again!
Anyway, I'm starving and it's time for dinner- so check out the pictures!
I'll write more when I get back from Valencia; I'll be there from tomorrow (8 May) to Monday, 12 May. Keep your fingers crossed for me that the weather is good there!
Love you all! Ciao!
Milan was OK. The Duomo, second largest church in the world, was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. See pictures (I'll be doing that A LOT).
I only spent the afternoon in Milan, and that was enough. I didn't have that love for Milan that some have- but that's OK, I hear that from lots of people.
The next morning, we took the train to Venice to see Scott. The girls (Meg, Alli and Kelly) were in Venice visiting, so they all picked us up at the train station. It was very close to our hotel and Scott's apartment. Venice was the most incredible and unique city. The weather was perfect our entire vacation, first off- so that's always good. Sun and warm- just how I like it. There wasn't one thing that made me love Venice, it was the ambiance in general that made me fall in love. I can't wait to go back. But not only were the sites great, it was the tour guide that made it! Scott, no surprise, is an excellent tour guide. His way with words ("They slapped shit on the buildings, see!"- of course not LITERALLY shit.) and his overwhelming knowledge of one city is remarkable. I'm so glad he took the time out of his days to tour us around. It would've been much more difficult and less enjoyable without him. He also cooked us a delicious dinner of chicken, pasta, vegetables and plenty of Prosecco (bubbly Italian white wine). We certainly ate very well while in Italy. I didn't skimp on gelato at all- I averaged 3 gelatoes per day, I think. (Seriously) Thank G-d we did so much walking!
After Venice, we went to Florence to stay with Meg, Kelly and Betty in their awesome apartment. Florence was so beautiful. I loved the stones in the streets and the Duomo there too! It almost looked fake! So much marble (not like Venice, since it's too heavy and would sink into the Lagoon) but the inside was pretty plainly decorated- but just check out the pictures of the outside! The Ponte Vecchio was cool, but not as special as the Duomo or the Piazzale Michelangiolo, this place higher up overlooking all of Florence and Tuscany- breathtaking. Meg and Alli did such a great job taking us around- Thanks! We went to the Academia to see the David, which was really impressive. We tried to go to the Uffizi, the other wildly famous museum of Florence, but in Italy (don't even get me started!) they have some stupid ass rule where you need a reservation to see a museum- great for tourism, the next reservation was not until Saturday- so needless to say, we had to skip it. But we didn't skip the markets!!
After Florence, we went to Rome. Rome was SO cool! I loved how the Ancient was right next to the modern (or "modern", 1700's). The ancient ruins were the coolest thing to me! We took a bus tour and saw all of the sights. See Pictures. The next day, we went to the Vatican City. We paid for a tour, and waited 3 hours to get in! The tour was supposed to SKIP the lines! We were not happy. But the Vatican was the most incredible place! The wealth of the Roman Catholic Church is quite stunning. The "Musei Vaticani" (Vatican museums) hold some amazing artwork. The museums themselves are spectacular, the way they are decorated and painted. But, the Sistine Chapel, out of this world. No pictures allowed, so google it to see why it's the most amazing thing ever. The talent required for that, just awe inspiring. After that was the Basilica of St Peter. Also amazing- see pictures. The next day we did the Colosseum and ancient Roman ruins. Those were one of my favorites too. All in all, I just loved Rome and Italy too. The one thing I can't STAND about Italy is their "customer service" or lack thereof. I yelled at waiters (in Italian) twice, in one week. Ridiculous. (AND LOST! That would never happen in France of the US). Anyway- the last day, the girls had an earlier flight, so I sat outside by the pool at our hotel and soaked up the sun- which was very nice. Then I flew back to Paris (with a layover in London). I must say, British AIrways really impressed me! They were really really super. Can't wait to fly with them again!
Anyway, I'm starving and it's time for dinner- so check out the pictures!
I'll write more when I get back from Valencia; I'll be there from tomorrow (8 May) to Monday, 12 May. Keep your fingers crossed for me that the weather is good there!
Love you all! Ciao!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Italia!
So just a quick update post from Rome!
Last week, I spent it on vacation in France with my family. It was the best week of my life. We did Paris, the Chateaux of the Loire Valley, Provence and the French Riviera (including Monaco).
The left from Nice :( but I continued to Milan for the day. The Duomo was exceptional but Milan was not. It was nice, but I didn't love it.
Then we went over to Venice. One of the most spectacular and unique cities in Europe, for sure. It was so nice to see Scott- I hadn't seen him since January! Meg, Alli and Kelly (Meg's Roommate) were in Venice for the day and we saw some great things. I'll elaborate more when back in Paris.
After Venice, we took the train to Florence. Another cool city. The markets were fun, and the Duomo was beautiful. Tuscany is such an incredible place. Check back for pictures!
I am now in Rome and it is so great. It is so ancient and modern at the same time. I love it. Italy is such a great place, but I could never live here. They have a work ethic that can only be described as Italian. God forbid you need change of a twenty or you want to pay with your credit card!
Oh Italians, flashy as they may be, make me feel good about myself when I am wearing my sunglasses indoors! Haha.
Gotta run though
Miss you all and I will update you more when I get back to Paris, this Sunday night (Pictures, and more details)
Ciao!
Last week, I spent it on vacation in France with my family. It was the best week of my life. We did Paris, the Chateaux of the Loire Valley, Provence and the French Riviera (including Monaco).
The left from Nice :( but I continued to Milan for the day. The Duomo was exceptional but Milan was not. It was nice, but I didn't love it.
Then we went over to Venice. One of the most spectacular and unique cities in Europe, for sure. It was so nice to see Scott- I hadn't seen him since January! Meg, Alli and Kelly (Meg's Roommate) were in Venice for the day and we saw some great things. I'll elaborate more when back in Paris.
After Venice, we took the train to Florence. Another cool city. The markets were fun, and the Duomo was beautiful. Tuscany is such an incredible place. Check back for pictures!
I am now in Rome and it is so great. It is so ancient and modern at the same time. I love it. Italy is such a great place, but I could never live here. They have a work ethic that can only be described as Italian. God forbid you need change of a twenty or you want to pay with your credit card!
Oh Italians, flashy as they may be, make me feel good about myself when I am wearing my sunglasses indoors! Haha.
Gotta run though
Miss you all and I will update you more when I get back to Paris, this Sunday night (Pictures, and more details)
Ciao!
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