The Adventure Continues!

Time for more news from Paris!

Day 4: Treasure Hunt in Monmartre! What a cute town. It was so beautiful. Dr. Francis gave us a list of buildings, monuments, and places to find in Monmartre which really turned out to be fun. I was aprehensive at first because she was not going to come with us to help. We found Sacre Coeur on our own (after asking about 10 different people!), and it was beautiful! We were glad we kept looking.

Later we went to Les Halles to check out the mall. It was pretty cool. We had a Cuban dinner that night which was quite delicious! The atmosphere there was fun and lively.

Day 5: Versailles! Wow...beautiful! The architecture is just so amazing. You have to see it for yourself. Pictures would not do it justice. And the gardens were wonderful, especially when they turn on the fountains. My favorite part about that though was not in the Versailles palace itself but at the queen's retreat. It was like an extension of the palace a little further away from the city. It truly looked like a story book. I would love to go there again and again. So cute and picturesque!

Day 6: Bike Tour. I was not the only one nervous about this one. The last time I rode a bike was...hm, I can't even remember. It actually turned out really fun. It was somewhat unnerving to be riding alongside cars and pedestrians, but we made it alive! And what a workout. But I would love to do it again. The weather was really nice, though a little hot. It was clear and pretty.

Later, Humaira and I went to the Champs Elysees to check out the special event they were having there. They would be blocking traffic to put all these plants, trees, and even some animals. It was quite an event! I would've like to go to the top of l'Arc de Triomphe to get a better view of it, but it was so packed! I wouldn't've got to see anything. Debbie, you would've loved this (except for the crowded part lol). It was like a big garden!

Day 7: Le Louvre!! Now, I have been waiting to come here for who knows how long. Finally! Of course, this short trip didn't do it justice, but I was so happy to get just a taste of it. We started out with the Roman and Egyptian exhibits which were really cool. I got to see the Venus de Milo here. Then we went to the Italian artwork which houses Da Vinci's work (he's my favorite) including the Mona Lisa. Yes, it is quite small. Actually, very small. But again, I was so glad to finally see it for myself. It was interesting how directly across from the Mona Lisa was an enormous painting that took up the whole wall. I saw the Winged Victory which was AMAZING! Probably my favorite of them all. I can't wait to go back already!

Well, I think that's enough for one post. There's so much more to come! Paris is a truly magical place.

A bientot!

Wow! I've been in France for 3 days, and already I've seen so much. I know the last post was pretty long, but I haven't got a chance to post for these 3 days! Ok, I'll try to keep it as concise as I can.

Day 1: We visited L'arc de Triomphe! Talk about amazing architechture. Truly it is amazing in person. So detailed and magnificent. I was not able to go to the top YET, but I will. We are doing things as a group first, but I will get some free time later where I can go back to things I missed.
We strolled down the Champs Elysees and did some window shopping. I have a bunch of pictures, but I'd prefer not to clutter my post with them all. This famous street is filled with designer stores. Leah, you gotta come see it!
At the end of Les Champs Elysees at Place de la Concorde is l'Obelisk, a tall obelisk given to France as a gift from Egypt. It is really beautiful with lots of heiroglyphics, and it is joined by two fountains on either side representing Poseidon and his aquatic "crew".
We also visited Le Petit Palais (not enough time for Le Grand Palais) where there was an exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent (Leah, I think you would've liked that, too). Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed here.
Day 2: Les Jardins du Luxembourg are beautiful! This is a great place to sit, relax, and maybe even draw. I gotta say, I wish I talked to this cute guy who was drawing a picture there. I could've shown off some French!We also went to visit Notre Dame that day. What an amazing cathedral! Wow. And so much history. The rose windows are truly beautiful, and they each have representations of different biblical parts. We were able to get a guided tour.

Day 3: Today we took a cruise on La Seine! It was a nice day, perfect for a boat ride. We had a relaxing morning/afternoon (without so much walking!), and then we went to Place des Vosges where there were so many great artistic galleries. I got a few artist books as souvenirs. I'd love to visit there again!

Time to go home. Another day awaits!

A bientot, mes amis!

The Arrival

I'm in Paris! Yay! I am finally in France after a long, overnight flight from Atlanta. So where do I start? How about with a some pictures.

Here I am with my friend Humaira at the Atlanta airport getting ready to board our planes. The anxiety builds as the unknown awaits. The excitement, and some fear, grip us as we prepare to embark on our journey. Unfortunately, we were not even gonna be on the same plane. However, I met Dahlia a little while later, who coincidentally was flying on the same plane as me. Phew! I had a friend to travel with. We were not sitting together, but that was no problem. I was able to journal a little bit.

I wasn't quite sure how long the flight would be, but I decided to watch a movie in the meantime. I watched 2012, which was a little boring. They gave us a lot of food, which was really nice. I was tempted to get some wine since the drinking age is lower in France, but I wasn't sure if they'd let me since we weren't technically in France yet. I played it safe and stuck with water. I probably want to be clear headed in the airport anyway. I tried to sleep because I knew it was really late in Georgia, but it was difficult. I probably got a couple hours of sleep before deciding to watch Sherlock Holmes which I had seen before. I didn't get very far before the plane landed. Wow! I was in France! I got out after a long period of waiting since I was on such a big plane. Oh, I didn't mention that? I was on the second deck! That's how big it was. So after getting off, I ran into another member of my party: Pat! How wonderful! I'm finding my friends every step of the way! We meet up again with Dahlia and wait for Debra. We were forming most of our group.

Finally we got out of the baggage area and Voila! There was JayPee waiting. (I hope he didn't have to wait too long.) Yay! More help for me! Long time no see. Now it was time to wait for Dr. Francis. She was a little held up because, poor Erika and Julia's flights were cancelled! I guess just because the volcanic ash didn't affect my flight doesn't mean it didn't affect others in our group. So we stuck around the airport a little longer to make sure we got who we could.

Time to take the RER. Hmm. Interesting. I haven't had much experience with public transportation. It was pretty straightforward, though. The worst part was carrying all of our luggage. (You're right Debbie: you never wish you brought more stuff!) Man, carrying bags up and down the metro steps. What a hassle! The metro was interesting the look at, though. There are artistic things all over.

Going to the school, and we're dropping off our bags, thank goodness! Then a little stroll in St. Michel. It's so cool! Wow, I love the architecture. Oh, so this is a real crepe? Yum! Jambon et fromage, delicieux. Exchange a little money, then go back to school to pick up our bags. Soon, we will me our host families. And this is where we would be on our own.

I leave the metro...Now what? I know the street, I look around. Where do I go from here? Ok Kelly, don't look like a tourist. Uh.... ring ring. Time to call my host. "Je suis perdue." She was nice enough to come find me! Merci beaucoup, Madame Cholet! I continue to be fortunate. I am never alone! After a quick dinner and a little trouble with the internet, it was time for a much needed rest. Eight hours later, I would be starting my first day in Paris. I will save that for another post!

A bientot!

It's been awhile...

It appears that I haven't been here at all lately! Well, it's time to get this going again. I am going to have much to discuss because I'm going to travel! and I have a duty to keep you all informed of my excursions.

So "where to?" you may be wondering. Pairs, France! Visiting France has been a dream of mine for awhile now, and finally I'm going there! A whole month in France. Wow, c'est magnifique! Look, there I am! (Too bad that picture is only photoshopped.)

It was a little scary for me at first, the idea of visiting a different country without my parents beside me. But friends and family have reassured me that it really won't be that frightening at all. I just have to think of it as an adventure. Sure, my parents are not gonna be in charge, holding my hand, and taking care of everything for me, but I'll be with friends and classmates. Not to mention that I already understand the language. It may take a little getting used to, but isn't that always the case with new things? The scary part is really just the unknown, but that will change in a couple of weeks! Anyway, the excitement of going there far outweighs my fears, so I am going to fully embrace this opportunity. It's time for an adventure!

A la prochaine!