Paris Day 3

This morning we got up and traveled to Versailles. It was huge and stunning but crammed full crowded. We walked through for a few hours. My favorite room was The Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed. It was filled with mirrors, obviously by the name, and also tons of chandeliers and art. After we finished walking through we sat in the small section of the garden they let us, since the rest of it was blocked off for a music festival. Tonight we might head off to the Eiffel Tower again, if we can muscle up the energy, then packing up for our early flight in the morning.  Last day in Europe. I never imagine this experience would happen this summer, much less this day would come. I can tell through my times here I have changed and grown as a person. Not only through the the things I have seen and done but also though the people I traveled with. This experience is something I know I will never forget. Thank you to the University and Uncle Richard Ellison for giving me this opportunity. I want the things I have learned and experiences I had not only to help me but I hope effect people from things I have learned. Tomorrow it's back to the States!   

Versallies 

Versallies (and the crowd) 

Gardens of Versallies 

Hall of Mirrors

Versallies 

Literally stunning! 

Paris Day 2

The first place we went today was Café de Moulins. The café where Amelie a romantic comedy was filmed. After Café de Moulins we rode the metro over to the the Arc de Triomphe. I was actually surprised on how large the arc was it was much larger than I expected. After the arc we headed over to the Eiffel Tower. We laid in the lawn relaxing people watching. There was even a bride and groom taking photos while we were there. I found out Harry Styles from One Direction was somewhere at the tower when I was there. After the Tower Emma and I walked around to the vendors before heading back to the pub under the hostel for dinner. After dinner we were trying to find something else to do tonight so a few of us decided to go back to the Eiffel Tower to see it at night. We made it right at sunset and it was absolutely breathtaking. Then we went up to the second story of the Eiffel Tower and had an amazing view of the City. When we were waiting in line the tower began to sparkle and we were really upset thinking we missed a good photo opportunity but when we came down the tower (after walking down all those flights of stairs) the tower began sparking again at midnight. Going to the Eiffel Tower tonight was probably my favorite thing I have done so far in Paris. It was absolutely breathtaking and the vibe was incomparable.  There is a music festival going on throughout the city this weekend so at the Eiffel Tower there was a concert as well! Tomorrow is our last full day in Europe and we are headed to Versailles! 

Me, Rebecca and Emma at Café de Moulin.

My Creepe (chocolate with almond and pear)! 

Eiffel Tower this afternoon. 

Eiffel Tower at sunset. 

Eiffel Tower at Sunset 

My favorite part when it sparkled right as we were leaving! 

Paris Day 1

This morning we went to Memorial de la Shoah. It is a Jewish memorial for all of the Jews effected by the Holocaust that were in France at the time. The whole exhibit was absolutely eye opening. There was stories and stories and stories of people effected. It's definatly something that everyone should see or experience. After that we had lunch and napped before heading out from the Louvre this afternoon. We spent over two hours there and I'm pretty sure we only saw 1/20th of the whole place. We saw the Monna Lisa and many many other paintings and sculptures in our two hours. The Louvre is over 600 thousands of square feet and has almost 10 million visitors each year.  After that we headed over to the lock bridge. I took the picture of a couple who were visiting for their 40th wedding anniversary from Kentucky they were absolutely adorable. Plus they thought I was a photo expert haha so that's always nice. After we headed back to our hotel to hang out and watch some more World Cup in the huge pub downstairs. 

Memorial de la Shoah

Louvre

Mona Lisa

Aphrodite 

Cupid and Psyche 

L' Européenne

Medieval Moat

Love Lock Bridge 

Love Lock Bridge 

Travel Day

This morning we went to visit the tapestry in Bayeux. It was about 90 meters long and tells  a continuous story. The tapestry was created to remember the history of the Normans in Bayeux similar to Indian paintings. The tapestry was about 90 meters longs which is quite impressive. After the tapestry we headed to lunch we have been to the same local burger and pizza place right across the street from the super market we love. They have 1 liter waters for €0.25. Which is practically a steal compared to what we have been paying for in all the large cities. The first day we went the water was only €0.19 but hey a little demand from the American tourist and it got bumped up. Got to love supply and demand. Next we took the four hour ride back to Paris where we will be wrapping up our trip in a few days. Today I'm Paris we got accustom to the metro and walked around by the Louvre. We are staying at this super modern and nice hostile which is a million times better than I expected. Tomorrow is our first full day in Paris it's going to be amazing! 

Accidently matching the boys this morning. 

Church in Bayeux 

Last day in Bayeux 

Just being happy in Paris. 

Not the best picture but it's the Eiffel Tower! 

Bayeux Day 1

Our first stop this morning was Sainte-Mère-Église . This is where many of the paratroopers from the US landed before the D Day invasion occurred at Normandy. Para gliders have become a huge symbol for Sainte-Mère-Église because the invasion by the US troops was the first sign of hope for the town. Sainte-Mère-Église was the first town liberated from the German troops. There is even have a replica of the US paraglider hanging from the church. Due to poor ability for accuracy from military paragliders many landed far from where they were suppose to. The paraglider hung from the church steeple for two hours before the German troops cut him down. Next was La point du hoc this is where the Germans stationed their military guns. The location allows you to see up and down the beach for miles which gave the Germans a large range of area to potentially fire on. We read our first passage from a soldier here where he discussed the high spirits of the American soldiers. The American soldiers were eating a large breakfast discussing everything but war. The place we went to Omaha beach. The story we read from the same soldier here discussed how nothing was going as plan. He saw his friends drowning with limbs detached left and right. Yet it was still his job to preserver and complete the duty he was assigned. After we headed to the American cemetery where over 9,000 American soldiers are buried. The land was actually donated by the French and is considered American land. While we were there we each found a soldier to look up when we got back. I chose..... After the American cemetery we headed to the German cemetery. The contrast of the two cemetery couldn't have been greater. Finally our last stop of the day we headed to the British cemetery. I believe that over time war stories or even application for soldiers who fought those wars die over time. Without the effort of these soldiers the life I live now and the life of everyone in American, Europe or arguably even the world would not be the same. These stories and events are something that should be told or read about for now and centuries to come. These soldiers sacrificed their lives for the hope of helping the future. 

Replica soldier hanging off of the church steeple. 

Stainglass in church with paratroopers. 

La Point du Hoc 

La Point du Hoc 

Omaha beach. 

Quote from the American Cemetary. 

American Cemetary 

German Cemetary 

Travel Days

On Monday we left Rome for Milan on a train. This train was actually really nice and pretty empty so the three hour ride to Milan was not bad. It was nice to see the beautiful countryside filled with vineyards and pastures. When we got to Milan we ran across town on the metro to get to our other train that was leaving to Paris. On our train from Milan to Paris we had a little sleeper car with two triple bunk beds. I knew three of the girls in my cabin, but we also had two Italian men so it's an interesting story to say the least. Ten hours later with only a slight stop due to a problem entering Switzerland we made it to Paris. In Paris we had to wait for the Germany group to arrive from Munich. So we got some Starbucks to pass the time. I even ordered in some French . As of right now I say mostly bonjour and merci. So I'm waking around France saying hello and thank you and that's it for now. We then took a charter bus from Paris to Bayeux. Apparently we passed the Eiffel Tower  but I fell asleep as soon as we got on the charter bus. We will be in Bayeux for the next two days before going back to Paris to wrap up our trip. Bayeux is a nice change it's a tiny town smaller than Greenville and it has the cutest little houses, shops, and restaurants. I'm so excited to spend the next few days here! 

Train to Milan.

Milan train station. 

Bayeux!

Bayeux house! 

Italy Day 4

We started off the morning sleeping in before heading down to a late breakfast. We have met a lot more people in our hotel here on the terrace and in the dining hall. There is a group traveling from Arizona with a British tour guide all across Italy and let me tell you they are a hoot. This morning we ate with part of their group and I'm pretty sure I laughed more than I had a chance to eat. After breakfast we headed over to he train station to go to Anzio Beach about an hour from Rome. The main different between Rome and Italy is definalt the pace and organization. In London if we wanted to catch a train we knew exactly where to be and when it would leave in Rome it's more like ehh when it gets here it gets here. So we had about two hours before the train arrived so we went back to the hotel rested a bit then headed back to the station. The whole way to Anzio it was pouring rain. I'm pretty sure it has rained twice as much in Rome than we ever had in London. When we arrived in Anzio it was a perfect 75 degree day with a slight breeze and sunshine which made for a gorgeous day at the beach. We walked around the beach for two hours of so collecting shells, relaxing, etc. Then we grabbed some gelato and headed back to the the train station. The whole way back from Rome once again it poured so we got super lucky on our timing. This evening we went to the restaurant literly 20 steps from our hotel. It was nice just to relax and talk for our last dinner in Italy. Tomorrow afternoon we start our adventure to France by train! 

 

Italy Day 3

This morning was the first time the whole trip we had the chance to sleep in. Which gave us the extra sleep we needed for walking around Rome for the rest of the day. We went to the trevi fountain first. It was actually a funny moment since the fountain was drained for repairs. Never the less we threw coins in the foutain and took our touristy picture before heading off tho the next thing. Next we took a short walk to the Spanish Steps which tearned into a long walk because we got distracted in all the local churches and store. I found tons of good souiveners today which was really exciting. We also found a local church before getting to the Spanish Steps. It was absolutely gorgeous and huge with tons of paintings and sculptures. The columns each had a painting above them surrounded by angels that reprented a different continents of the world. We learned a lesson there if you think a building looks cool on the outside walk in for sure. Next we went to the Pantheon which was a huge dome chapel with more sculptures and paintings. Next we got distracted for two hours shopping before finding the Spanish Steps right before it started to rain. This evening we went to That's Amore a pizza place where we made our own pizza with the help of Simone and Monica the two best pizza chefs around. After making pizza it was bon appétit. We even got the best Carmel desert after. Now we are all in food comas relaxing about to go up to the terrace to watch some more fòotball. 

Trevi Foutain

The church we found. 

Just some of the many paintings.

...and sculptues.

The Pantheon

Spanish steps. 

One of the restaurants we walked past. 

Pizza making class! 

and desert yum yum yum!