England – Page 24 – Valpo Voyager

Category: England (page 24 of 26)

Time to Give Thanks

I can’t believe it’s already Thanksgiving.

Last night, we had our Cambridge Thanksgiving dinner. There were 36 of us in total, and although the house was completely chaotic for the entire preparation and dinner, it was wonderful to be surrounded with all the love and warmth of the people around us.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

As I mentioned in my earlier Christmas post, I find that this year, I have taken so much more time to reflect on what I’m thankful for. As always, I am thankful for my family. This is the first holiday that I have had to spend without them, and as close-knit as my family is, it’s kind of hard. Even though we’re thousands of miles apart, I’m still thrilled that I will be able to call both sides of my family and be with them in spirit.

Of course, I am thankful for this trip. The opportunities that a semester abroad give you are truly countless. When I leave Cambridge this semester, I will take with me such a variety of cultural experiences that I really can’t get anywhere else. I also am incredibly thankful for everyone in my group, C-86. Over the past few months, we have grown from barely knowing one another to family. I couldn’t think of a better group of people that I would like to live, sleep, eat, and breathe with for four months.

As Oprah Winfrey once said, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Although it was a hard concept to understand as a child, Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings, and this year, I know I’m counting mine 🙂

Truly Embracing a Culture

November 23, 2010 / Jeff Harbert / 0 Comments

Traveling is great, as is seeing all the extraordinary sites each city and each country has to offer, but in order to truly experience a culture, you really have to socialize with the people. I’ve found that the times spent conversing with locals are what really helped me get the most out of any trip I’ve made so far this semester. I may have been at awe at numerous sites I visited across Europe, but it was my conversations with various locals that helped me embrace the culture and ensure my travels were a memorable experience.

I remember being in Munich all the way back in September for my first visit to a country outside England. I had felt slightly overwhelmed at the notion of being in a foreign country and not knowing a single word of their language. Luckily I was with four of my friends from the Cambridge group, but I soon discovered there was not a whole lot to be apprehensive about if I accepted that sometimes things might go wrong and if I was willing to ask for help when I needed it. Without any clue of how to get around Munich, we approached the manager of our Bed and Breakfast. To our delight she gave us everything we needed: A map of the city, a train map and bus routes. Along with those items, she also gave us a friendly face to talk to when we needed it most. She was helpful and was willing to answer any questions we had about the city (which was a lot). I found the same to be true for most people I talked to that weekend and I really can’t count the number of people who I found myself conversing with over the weekend. Almost everyone was friendly and it was because of people like them that I was able to gain a greater understanding of German culture and be able to consider it a successful trip.

Hanging out with a group of Americans I met before a football match in London

The same has been true for every place I’ve visited. While at Gatwick Airport in London and waiting for a screen to announce which gate I needed to go to, I decided to strike up a conversation with a random man standing close by. As it turned out he was headed to Madrid on the same flight as me! Javier’s English was very limited, but I was still able to converse with my own limited knowledge of Spanish. Before even landing in Madrid I had learned so much about the city and received advice that only a local could possibly tell me. He even pulled out his iPhone and showed me how to use the Metro (subway) to get to every site I intended on seeing during my stay. When we landed he helped me buy train tickets and then gave me his number in case I needed any more help while I was in Madrid. Wow, what a huge help. It’s amazing how approaching a complete stranger can end up improving your visit so much.

To some this may not seem like important information, but in my opinion, it’s some of the best advice I can give anyone before they travel to a new place: Converse as often as you can with the locals. No matter where I went I found that my conversations with the local are what really helped me to not only appreciate but also learn the most about a city or country’s culture. It may be intimidating approaching strangers at times, but the truth is people in Europe are generally friendly almost anywhere you go. Of course you may meet a few people who aren’t, but it’s worth the risk when you bump into someone and are able to have a wonderful conversation with them about almost anything. Sometimes you have to remember that they are just as interested in your own culture as you might be in theirs!

Seeing all the beautiful sites and exploring the city is great, but in order to really get a feel for the place you really do have to talk with the people who actually live there. As strange as it may sound, some of my best memories are all the conversations I’ve had with strangers in the various places I visited across England and the rest of Europe. Although I may never see some of those people again in my life, they helped give me a good impression of their country and hopefully I was able to do the same for mine.

A Deeper Look into History

November 18, 2010 / Jeff Harbert / 0 Comments

When touring London and visiting all of its magnificent sites, it’s hard to believe the city was once the victim of six straight weeks of bombing during World War II. Referred to as the “Blitz”, Londoners suffered intense bombing by German forces which killed over 43,000 civilians and left more than a million households destroyed or damaged. And that was all in London. Granted a huge part of Europe suffered similar if not worse devastation, it’s incredible to think about what people had to endure around 70 years ago.

A common sight in London during the ‘Blitz’ in World War II

On Tuesday I had the chance to visit the Duxford Aircraft Museum, which lies nine miles south of Cambridge and is considered to be one of the most important air bases during in Britain during the World War. The museum, which contains the largest collection of historic aircraft in Europe, is one of the best ways to really get a grasp of the atrocities and devastation caused by both World War I and World War II. The aircraft on display was astounding. The Spitfire, Concorde, Messerschmitt, Hurricane, you name it, and there’s a really good chance they have it.

Messerschmitt BF 109E – most famous German figher in WWII

One of seven hangers at Duxford Aircraft Museum

After learning about World War I and World War II in our British History course here in Cambridge, it felt appropriate to view the planes and a lot of the weapons and vehicles used by many of the countries involved in the war. I was able to learn a lot about the hardships the soldiers and pilots fighting faced, as well as the women and children on the home front. It’s crazy to think that around 7.5 million women were recruited for war work between 1939 and 1945. It’s even more shocking to think that around 100 million people died from both wars. Visiting Duxford Aircraft Meseum was a very enlightening experience and it emphasized how much the world has changed and how fortunate I am not to have had to endure living in such a difficult era.

The U.S. Air Force’s F-15 Eagle

And for Americans like me and the rest of our group, the American Air Museum provided the perfect opportunity to admire the largest collection of U.S. aircraft outside of America. They had an impressive collection, housing famous aircraft such as the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird (once the fastest jet in the world), P-51 Mustang… to name just a few. It was especially significant for me as my Uncle is a retired Major General from the U.S. Air Force and flew some of the aircraft on display, such as the F-15 Eagle. It was a special experience to be able to see up close and touch the same type of fighter jet he once flew. As a kid I was always fascinated by jets and to finally be up close to some was extremely memorable, to say the least.

Throughout the entire visit I learned a lot about European and American history. I considered myself to have a decent knowledge of past and current events, but I soon realized there was a lot of information I didn’t know. The museum taught me a lot, but it also helped open my eyes up and take a deeper look into history. It’s amazing what you can discover if you’re actually looking.

Getting Into the Holiday Spirit!

November 18, 2010 / Julie Johnson / 0 Comments

Countdown to Christmas: 37 days.

I find myself in the holiday spirit much earlier than usual. Since Thanksgiving isn’t a celebrated holiday in England, I’ve found it perfectly acceptable to sing Christmas carols several times a day, buy an Advent calendar two weeks before December even starts, decorate gingerbread men, and even purchase a “Grow Your Own Christmas Tree”, even though it will probably only be two inches tall by the time I leave England.

I was thrilled when I was walking downtown for my weekly grocery shopping this past Monday, and realized a discount Christmas store had opened only a few blocks from my house. I felt like a child while walking through there, “oohing” and “aahing” at every ounce of tinsel and lights. Cambridge’s skinny little streets have also been turned into a fascinating show of lights by night, and even seeing the unlit lights hanging in the daytime brings a smile to my face.

Gingerbread Men – Just as much fun to make as they are to eat!

I’ve always been a huge fan of Christmas, but this year, I find myself even more appreciative of the values it brings. After not seeing my family for several months, I will relish every moment of the laughter and hugs that Christmas dinner and the unwrapping of gifts will bring. I daydream about curling up near my grandparent’s fireplace for a good nap, helping my other Grandma to decorate the tree, and even attempting to dress my dog in the Santa outfit that she always refuses to wear.

Just as the famous song goes, “I’ll be home for Christmas..” But in my case, it won’t be only in my dreams 🙂

Changing of the Guard in Athens!

November 18, 2010 / derekschnake / 1 Comment

Here’s a video of the changing of the guard in Athens. In front of the Parliament building, the guards change every hour on the hour in this manner. But unlike the stoic guards at Buckingham palace, these guards will bite back if you mess with them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwDOshTF_o

Gracias, Madrid

November 8, 2010 / Jeff Harbert / 0 Comments

“Ah, Madrid… you chose the perfect city to visit in Europe.” Those were the words of Javier, an extremely friendly Spanish guy who sat next to me on the flight from London to Madrid during the second week of my two and a half week Fall Break. After four days of being in Spain’s capital, Javier couldn’t have been more correct. What a great city, what a fantastic culture, and what an unforgettable experience in the heart of Spain.

My first taste of Madrid and Spanish culture arrived where most people wouldn’t expect, but for those who know me would hardly come as much of a surprise. Shorty after taking the Metro from Madrid Barajas Airpot to the western part of the city and getting situated at my friend’s apartment, I joined the masses and headed for the Vicente Calderon – the home of Atletico Madrid. Although nowhere near as popular or successful as cross-town rivals and world-renowned European giants Real Madrid, Atletico are one of the best teams in the La Liga, Spain’s first division, and just came off of a season in which they won the Europa Cup.

My first taste of Spanish football

I can’t say that I’m much of an Atletico Madrid fan, but going to a Spanish futbol match was undoubtedly something I just couldn’t pass up. Despite Atetico drawing 1-1 with U.D. Almeria, a smaller club from southern Spain, it was still a highly entertaining match and an experience I’ll never forget. Going to football games in England is one thing, but witnessing the beautiful game in the country that just won the World Cup was an experience of its own. It was without a doubt the perfect way to kick-off my trip to Madrid.

Plaza Monumental de las Ventas

One thing that made my trip successful was the easiness of Madrid’s Metro system. The system is actually the sixth largest in the world, but after a few days of hopping on and off at various locations around the city I found it to be the least complicated of its type that I’ve used before. I suppose it helped that I had been well accustomed to using such modes of transportation through the London Underground. Regardless, Madrid’s Metro was also my cheapest way of traveling around the city with each single trip across the entire network only being 2 euros and a 10 trip ticket costing just 9 euros.

Despite using train several times each day, I spent the majority of my time walking and taking all of the great sights and simply observing people go about their day. At times I walked with absolutely no clue of what direction I was headed in and somehow always arrived at a point of interest. But in a city as richly and historic as Madrid, how could I not? It’s nice to have a plan of where you’re going to go and what you’re going to see on a particular day, but often times it’s refreshing just exploring and getting lost in the magnificence and splendor of such a great city.

Plaza de Cibeles

One of the highlights of my trip was seeing the Palacio Real, the official residence of the King of Spain. I’ve seen Buckingham Palace on numerous occasions and I’ve always been in awe of it, but the Palacio Real might even trump it in my opinion (Sorry Queen Elizabeth!). Along with the Royal Palace, I also visited Plaza Espana, Puerta de Toledo, Plaza Mayor, Almudena Cathedral, the Debod Temple, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Cibeles, the Santiago Barnebeu, Plaza Monumental de las Ventas and numerous other sights. It was a great couple of days walking around and viewing the sights and embracing everything Madrid has to offer. It was also a wake-up call for me, however. Apparently my Spanish isn’t as good as I thought it was as I found out at about every restaurant I attempted to order food at!

Seeing fascinating buildings and visiting historic sites is great, but in order to truly embrace a country and its culture you have to converse with the people. A sign at the airport when I arrived welcomed me by saying ‘Bienvenidos’, but it was the people in Madrid who really helped me feel welcome in their city. Everywhere I went people were friendly, even if they didn’t speak more than a sentence of English. I’ll always remember Madrid for its beauty and splendor, but I am absolutely certain I will never forget the countless people who chose to make a foreigner like me feel welcome in their remarkable city and wonderful country. Salud, Madrid…

Bear and the El Madroño Tree at Puerta del Sol

Palacio Real

To view more photos from my trip to Madrid visit my album.

“No Matter Where You Go, There You Are” – My Two Week Extravaganza!

November 7, 2010 / Julie Johnson / 0 Comments

It’s no surprise that every study abroad student looks forward to their mid-semester break. It’s shocking how much planning can go into perfecting every little detail of a two-week itinerary, and many long afternoons were spent with our entire house surrounding the kitchen table, double and triple-checking details, and joining in on one another’s plans. I was well aware this trip would be quite the experience, but of course, it was an amazing one.

My trip began on a Friday morning at 5:00 a.m., when I took the bus to London to catch my flight to Athens. It was a long day of traveling, but when I stepped outside of my metro stop and caught my first, breathtaking glimpse of the Acropolis, the entire day was worth it.

Myself in front of the Parthenon!

Despite some of the troubles it has come across in recent times, Greece is such an amazing country. It is incredible how they have maintained their history and culture despite constantly changing times, and seeing all of the ruins was just fascinating. Since I spent four days there, I was able to see the entire city, and really gained a lot of respect and appreciation for the Greeks and how much they enjoy life.

My next stop was Rome, which had been the destination I was most excited for before even coming to Cambridge. Although the weather wasn’t the greatest for parts of my time there, that surely didn’t dampen my spirits or sight-seeing. Seeing St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and just the Vatican City in general really blew my mind. As a Catholic, I have heard and learned much about all of these places, and being able to see them in person made me feel very gracious and well in touch with my faith.

Of course, you can’t see Rome without seeing the Colosseum and other fun destinations, so a lot of walking was shoved into the few days I was able to be there. The Colosseum was everything that I had hoped it would be, and although I got lost while looking for the Pantheon, I was able to see quite a bit.

Feels just like the B.C.’s 🙂

The next two stops on my tour of Italy were Venice and Verona, both of which I absolutely fell in love with. Walking around Venice was a blast, and I found myself constantly stopping to take pictures of the sun setting on the canals. It’s definitely a place I would like to visit again, hopefully to spend more time out on the water.

Julie & Juliet! <3

To some people, Verona may seem like sort of a cliche, since it is infamous for being the home of Romeo and Juliet. Although this was the main reason I decided to make it a stop on my trip, I was surprised at how much there was to do and see in Verona, as well as how beautiful of a city it really was. I spent my afternoon there mailing my letter to Juliet, seeing Juliet’s house, and sitting on the stairs of the city hall building, watching the sun set. It was definitely the right way to spend my last full day in Italy.

Getting to the airport for my flight to Barcelona wasn’t the easiest due to a miscommunication and the fact that I at one point got on the wrong train, just to hop off of it moments before it left due to a nice Italian woman who could actually understand me. After being anxious while waiting in a long line to check my bag, I was practically running through the airport and security to make sure I caught my flight, just to see that it was delayed forty minutes. I was actually really thankful for this delay, since it gave me a little bit of time to relax before having to travel yet again. My plane finally landed in Barcelona at around 2:00 a.m, and I have never been so happy to see a hostel bed in my entire life.

It may seem weird that I decided to spend an entire week in Barcelona for the last part of my break, but I must say that it was totally worth it. I was able to see and do so much in Barcelona, and I began to know the city as if it were home. The weather was beautiful (in the mid-70’s), so every day was perfect for walking around, or even hitting the beach. I was able to spend plenty of time with many of the members of the Cambridge group, as well as spend more time with my Reutlingen friends.

View from Park Guell in Barcelona!

I could write paragraph after paragraph about how awesome and eye-opening my two break was, but like Amber, I must admit that I’m pretty exhausted from all the excitement. For now, I’m going to go enjoy being back at the Cambridge Centre with some pumpkin pie :). Ciao, bellas!

English Pub Life: Something for Everybody

October 29, 2010 / Jeff Harbert / 0 Comments

Whether you’re looking for some great English food, a satisfying drink, a place to watch football games or a few friendly faces to have a casual conversation with, English pubs are the place to go. Over the course of the past two months I’ve visited countless pubs in England and have enjoyed every one of my experiences. The people are always friendly and despite my friends and I being foreigners, we are always made to feel welcome – even the ones who know next to nothing about football. Pubs are a place people come to simply enjoy a drink and socialize with other locals or strangers from other places, like myself.

For a guy like me, there isn’t much better than watching football at the pubs in England. And for a guy like me, I was able to realize that during the first day I arrived in this country. In the United States, I had to wake up as early as 6:00 a.m., even 4:00 a.m. on one occasion, to watch my favorite football team play. Restaurants and bars are certainly not open at this time, although even if they were it wouldn’t make much of a difference for me. Most of the time I was forced to watch matches on the internet through live streaming as the English Premier League is rarely televised in North America. In other words, I was alone in my room celebrating whenever my team scored a goal. Apologies once again to all my past roommates!

Thankfully in Kenya the time difference ensured I only stayed up as late as 1:00 a.m. to watch a football match. And thankfully, more often than not I was able to watch most of the matches at a crowded restaurant or bar surrounded by other avid football fans. It was always a weekend tradition for my family. Whenever Saturday or Sunday afternoon arrived, my Dad and I would drive to a restaurant thirty minutes before kick-off in order to get a seat for the match. Occasionally we even managed to convince my Mom to come along. Regardless of who was playing, it was always destined to be an enjoyable time and capable of being the highlight of any weekend.

Several hours after arriving in Cambridge back in August I strolled down to a pub called Sir Isaac Newton’s which was located just two blocks away from my house. It was there that I watched my first football match in England and it was there that I received my first taste of English culture. The match on TV wasn’t even one I really cared too much about and more than anything it was just a chance to experience the pub life in England. I was not to be let down. Everyone in the pub had nothing but football coming from their lips and it was a warm welcoming to a brand new country to be able to talk to complete strangers about everything and anything pertaining to football. It was an easy common ground and it provided a platform to meet new people and served as an early indication of how friendly people in England are.

On some occasions and depending on the importance of the match, the pub can be filled with all types of people. Young, old, men, women, even children. A few nights ago I watched a Carling Cup match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton and sat next beside a table where an elderly couple who appeared to be in their 70’s was sitting. When it comes to people’s passion for football in this country, age really is just a number!

A few weeks ago I watched an England National team match at Sir Isaac Newton’s where the entire pub was packed from wall to wall. My odds of finding a seat that night were as good as my chances of winning the National Lottery. The atmosphere inside the place was incredible, however. Dozens of fans crowded around the TV’s in each corner of the room while people at the bar stood conversing and offering their two cents’ worth on the big match. And after England ended the match victorious, instead of filtering out of the pub and heading in separate directions, the majority of the people stayed to socialize and alternate buying rounds of drinks for each other.

Even if you’re not into football, pubs in England offer provide something for everybody. In fact, there are numerous pubs in the country that don’t televise football. In fact, many don’t even have TV’s. You can’t go wrong if you’re looking for a tasty plate of food that will fill your stomach. Fish n’ Chips are a favorite about anywhere and a lot of pubs pride themselves over their wide selection of drinks available.

So if you love football or if you can’t stand it, English pubs offer something for everyone and are one of many enjoyable aspects of English culture. Well, that is as long as you’re looking to eat delicious food, drink great beverages and converse with all sorts of friendly people.

Old Trafford: The Theatre of Dreams

October 26, 2010 / Jeff Harbert / 0 Comments

12 years is a long wait for anything. But for me, waiting 12 years to go to my first Manchester United match at Old Trafford felt like eternity. When you wait so long for something you wonder if it will be meet the expectations that have been built up over the last decade or so. But for me, there was no question that seeing my favorite football club in their famous stadium would not only meet my expectations, but surpass them.

Indeed it did.

I remember watching Manchester United when I was young. I remember my fascination and my immediate love for the club and all its players and most of all, I remember wishing that I would one day be able to witness them play. The years went by and my love for the club only intensified with every season and with every match, but my wish remained the same.

Recently I was finally able to accomplish my dream and make that wish come true. As soon as tickets had gone on sale for the Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion match on October 16^th I purchased tickets and on day before the match I made the much-anticipated journey to Manchester, England. Less than an hour after arriving at the train station I arrived at Old Trafford – a Mecca for all United supporters. I stopped and admired the stadium I had seen hundreds of times on TV and for a moment, I even had to pinch myself. Being there simply seemed too good to be true.

Indeed it was.

Before I knew it, I was standing next to the pitch my heroes play on every week as part of a guided tour of the entire stadium. Minutes later I found myself sitting in the players’ dressing room where famous names such as George Best, Bryan Robson and David Beckham have sat… the same room where Sir Alex Ferguson gives his team talks and where the champagne is popped after a cup triumph. Some of the most famous athletes in the world occupied the same room on a frequent basis.

Following the tour of the stadium I walked through every room inside the museum, admiring all of the trophies and awards on display. With over 100 years of rich, unmatched history on show, I found it hard to make myself leave. Finally, after more than two hours inside the museum and an additional hour in the stadium’s Mega Store, I forced myself to move on. I suppose it helped that I would be back inside the stadium the following day as Manchester United hosted West Brom.

If I thought touring the stadium and its museum was something special, I was in for the experience of a lifetime on the day of the match. After bumping into a group of United fans who had made the journey down from Ireland, we hung out a supporters’ pub before the match as we counted down the hours until kick-off. We arrived at Bishops Plaize at 11:00, four and a half hours before kick-off, and astonishingly by this time the pub was already packed with supporters socializing and belting out chant after chant about their beloved club. It didn’t take long for me to join in.

The time for the match finally arrived and by then I was already hoarse. My voice would suffer further impairment as I spent the entire 90 minutes of the match participating in the numerous chants that rang around the stadium. Never before in my life had I experienced such a remarkable atmosphere at a sporting event. This was an experience of a lifetime, not just for me, but for most of the 75,023 fans inside the stadium. Despite the match ending in a 2-2 draw, I was still incredibly satisfied with the experience of being at my first Manchester United match. More than anything though, I was already plotting my return to Manchester for another taste of one of the most incredible experiences the world has to offer me.

Footage of the pre-match traditions: Bishops Plaize Pub

The Adventures (and Misadventures) of a Weekend in Paris

October 17, 2010 / Julie Johnson / 0 Comments

From the very beginning of planning my trip to Paris, it seemed as if the weekend was destined for disaster. It took (literally) ten times to buy our Eurostar tickets, we were scammed out of an apartment two days before we were supposed to arrive, and emotions were running high in our group of seven girls who had planned to go together. We had 48 hours, and very few (and not to mention pricey) options left. Four of the girls decided on a hostel as a last resort, while myself and my friends/housemates Hannah and Alyson continued to look. Just as we were about to give up on the search and pick a different weekend to go to Paris, I had an epiphany. Luckily, and very thankfully, the entire Reutlingen group would be in Paris the exact same days, and several of my close friends within the group had mentioned they were getting an apartment. Although I knew there was a very good chance the apartment would be full, I gave it one last shot and Facebook messaged my sorority sister Angela to check the availability. The three of us sat on pins and needles waiting for her response, but, just as all good friends do, Angela pulled through and was kind enough to rebook a bigger apartment to include the three of us: the trip to Paris was back in action.

The ease of the Eurostar chunnel system was fabulous, and we had no huge problems when it came to getting to Paris. We had told the Germany group what time our train got in, and we had exchanged several of our phone numbers. I figured it would be easiest to call them once we had reached the apartment, so we split off from the other group of girls and took a taxi to the address Angela had provided. We still hadn’t heard from the Germany group, and all of the houses in the subdivision had passcode entry. No problem, I would just call them to let us in, right? … Wrong. None of our cell phones would allow us to call the Germany group, and none of our text messages were being answered. Worried and panicked, we stopped into a cafe down the road and tried to figure out what we would do next. Just as I was on the phone with our program director (the only call I was able to make), seeing how he could help us in any way possible, and on the verge of tears, Alyson got a call from an unknown number. It turned out to be the Reutlingen group, and they had been trying to reach us all night. Neither of our cell phone companies worked, so they had finally resorted to the blessing of adding credit to a Skype account. We bolted out of the cafe and just about tackled Zack and Jake as soon as we saw them. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been so excited to see two people in my entire life.

Zack and Jake started to walk us to the apartment, but warned us on the way in. “This place is small and not what we thought it was, you’re going to be disappointed,” Jake told me as he was about to open the front door. I looked at Hannah and Alyson and felt more despair creeping in.. until we stepped into the apartment, that is. It. Was. Amazing. Our own private pool, five bedrooms, five baths, a huge living room, kitchen, and dining room, as well as a deck that led out onto the roof. Not only were we safely in Paris, but we were going to live like rockstars for the next few days.

Our wonderful living room and porch!

After all the greetings and exclamations of relief that we were alright from our Reutlingen friends, we settled into our new palace and decided to break in the pool. We were in the pool for hours before realizing how late it was getting, and decided to call it a night in order to see the city the next day.

Unfortunately, we got to a late start to the day, and were in a mad dash to meet the rest of the Cambridge girls at the Cathedrale de Notre Dame. The cathedral was definitely worth the hurry, seeing as it was absolutely breathtaking. I remember seeing a picture of it on a friend’s refrigerator when I was in third grade and always wanting to see it myself, and it was surely worth the several year wait.

We decided to take the Metro back to the apartment and buy groceries for the rest of the weekend before we went to the Louvre that evening, and so far, the Metro had been super easy to master. It had been easy getting to Notre Dame, so we thought it would be just as simple to get home. Not so much. In a moment of utter confusion, and being unable to find someone who could give us clear directions in English, we hopped on a double decker train. We knew right away this probably wasn’t a good idea, and decided that we would get off at the next stop. Unfortunately, the train didn’t stop.. for 25 minutes. In a frenzy, we hurried off the train and realized we couldn’t even get onto a different train without a train ticket, which of course, we didn’t have. Hearing that we were lost, a nice Englishman behind us stopped us and asked where we were going. “We need to get to the 20th district,” I said, pointing our stop out to him on the map. “In Paris?” he responded, starting to laugh. I didn’t find this funny, of course it was Paris, that’s where we were after all. “You’re 15 miles outside of Paris in the suburbs,” he replied, looking at our terrified expressions. He explained to us that a train back to the heart of Paris would be leaving in 7 minutes, and he even scanned his train pass so that we could get through in time. I’m still convinced the man was an angel.

After arriving back at our apartment about an hour and a half later than originally planned, we rushed to get ready for the Louvre, which was definitely one of the places I was most excited to see in Paris. Our trip to the Louvre was great, and although I was a tad bit disappointed by the size of the Mona Lisa, it was still an incredible experience to see so many works of art that are so highly idolized and admired. We spent another evening hanging out and enjoying the company of our new housemates, and all was going well until the power in the house went completely out. None of us had any idea what to do, but thankfully, a French friend of Angela’s that had stopped by the house figured out our breaker box, and our power was restored after 40 minutes of chaos. We all laughed about it, and I already knew that leaving this wonderful place and amazing company on Sunday would be rough.

Saturday was jam-packed with sightseeing, and luckily, Alyson had friends that are studying in Paris who were happy to be our tour guides. We did a lot of walking, seeing the Sacre Coeur, Arc de Triomphe, and Moulin Rouge along the way. Since the Louvre is enormous, we also made a second trip there to see more of the iconic artwork that we didn’t catch the first time around. We decided to save the Eiffel Tower for night, and were luckily enough to catch the 8:00-8:05 light show, which was just amazing. I found myself falling more and more in love with Paris and the Parisian lifestyle throughout the day, and thinking about my train in the morning was seriously depressing.

The light show at the Eiffel Tower.. Amazing!

We spent one last, amazing night with our housemates, staying up way too late to be happy about waking up at 6:00 am to catch the chunnel. I slept through both the trains from Paris to London and London to Cambridge, and although the weekend was absolutely incredible, I was pleased to see the house when I remembered my bed was inside of it. The weekend was a crazy mess of ups-and-downs, but really, I wouldn’t have it any other way — It was just further proof that no matter what life throws at you, you can rely on the care of your friends, kindness of strangers, and brain of yourself to get you through absolutely anything. Paris was a weekend I will surely never forget.

Valpo Voyager

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