Being a Sponge

 Paris was amazing... it was the first time I really felt like we were experiencing all the city had to offer, which was perfect. Living in apartments (where we could store food) didn't hurt either!

The next few pictures are of us exploring the city on the Rick Steve's walking tour our second day in the city. 

Emily, Jess, me, Hayley

how pretty is this?!

For my brothers... they sell rich dad, poor dad here...

Pre-opera subway meal with Bryant, Tommy, Scott, and me. The 6 inch (15cm) turkey subs are 1.5 euros! and the mustard is insanely spicy :)

In the opera house, pre 4 hour Opera. It was in french, with Italian subtitles. AKA - we were troupers. 

In the picture above, we're outside the Musee d’Orsay, which was the best art museum I have ever been to (and one that didn't allow us to take pictures inside :)). The variety of art that it housed was amazing, and we had the morning to explore wherever we wanted. The building itself was a train station back in the day, so there are super high ceilings in the main area, and different genres of art in each of the wings. We were a little sad to only spend a morning there, but one day (WHEN) I come back to Paris, this will be my first stop. 

That afternoon, we took a train out to Versailles. I first learned about this palace back as a sophomore in high school, so the nerd in me was super excited to finally see what Mr. Koger had been drooling over in 10th and 12th grade. It lived up the hype and then some. The actual buildings themselves were great,  pretty crowded with tourists, but still gorgeous. And the gardens were unlike anything I've ever seen before. It was so easy to picture life there, and why the nobles would have been so willing to come live and serve the king. After exploring with everyone, Scott and I relaxed on some of the grass in the gardens... which we learned is also frowned upon when the Versailles police came through with a mega-horn and yelled at us (we weren't the only ones!)... but it was the most relaxing 20 minutes of the trip so far, and worth it. 

Scott and James. They have a bromance. 

Main hall

Where mass was held

The old opera house. During the day, there was live music out in front, and at night, it is light up and crowds of friends and couples hang out on the steps out front because its beautiful and a good view of that part of the city.

Liberty Leading the People... also the painting that inspired the Coldplay album cover. I have tons of pictures from the Louvre that there isn't enough time to upload, but the museum was gorgeous. Hannah and I started to navigate the monstrosity that it is with a group of people, but we each ended up exploring it alone. I learned that in Paris - museums are best when you go with a group and walk around on your own. It's nice to see whatever interests you and let your mind wander when you see the art instead of trying to keep track of everyone and get through the list of things everyone wants to see.

Double date with Emily and Christian. There are 6 couples on the trip, and one of Gabe's pieces of wisdom to us before we left was to go on double date. And because Gabe knows all... just kidding. Emily and Christian are awesome, and it was fun spending the night getting to know them! A friend of my brother's (Kelly) spent a summer a few years ago in Paris and she sent me an awesome list of things to do while we were in Paris. The place we went for dinner (Chartier) was on it and apparently was where the carriage drivers used to go way back when. The food was great, and we had a snotty french waiter - just to complete the experience :)

I promise, I have tons more pictures... just lousy internet and Brugge is too pretty to hang out online all day! I'll try to post more soon :)