A little more on Paris

Now that you have an overview, I'll give you a quick-as-I-can recap of my trip to Paris last weekend. 

We arrived in Paris at about midnight Thursday night- all tired and ready to crash. We were lucky enough to stay the weekend at a Baylor friend's apartment who would be gone for the weekend, so we wouldn't have to pay for hostels. When we arrived at the apartment, however, we were surprised to find a strange boy inside. This came as quite a shock, since the apartment was supposed to be all ours for the weekend while Cole (the owner) was away. We came to discover that there had been a slight miscommunication regarding our arrival date, and Cole had told his friend Lionel he could stay Thursday night while Lionel's Parisian apartment was being worked on. It was a little awkward initially, but Lionel turned out to be a serious gem. Despite the fact that he had work the next day, he took us "out on the town" to find a late night snack. Of course he took us to an "American" hamburger stand, which turned out to be Turkish, but was actually quite good. (Either that, or I was a lot hungrier and more tired than I thought.) We scarfed our food, and for some reason, took pictures with the Turkish man working there. I think he found us quite amusing because we literally used all of his ketchup (Americans only do this of course). As we were leaving, I turned around to find Carissa- something I always do- just for you Mom, and what did I find? The Turkish man, grabbing Carissa's head and literally trying to force her to kiss him! I grabbed her, and took off down the street laughing at the odd moment. Carissa's first night in Paris, and she's already found the love. 

Note from our new Parisian friend Lionel!

View from our apartment window

     The next morning, we awoke to find a sweet note from Lionel, our one-night roommate, again welcoming us to Paris and wishing us a great weekend! Along with the note, was an assortment of breakfast foods- juices, croissants, and pastries for us to eat! It was the sweetest gesture, and Lionel definitely was a part of making our weekend magical. 

    That day, we did a lot of the "touristy stuff." It was absolutely perfect though, because it was bright and sunny and about 65 degrees fehrenheit, and come to find out- it was the first nice day in months!

After running in to Luci in Paris!

    We went to Eiffel tour, the Arc de Triumphe, and the Champs de Elysees. While at the Champs de Elysees, we LITERALLY RAN INTO Luci Meredith, a fellow Kappa from Baylor! We had been trying to get a hold of her all day, but our Dutch phones were acting up, and we had just about given up hope when she came walkng down the street in our direction! It was so crazy- and SUCH a God thing. How often do you just run into friends in Paris??? 

     After we freaked our for a little bit, Luci took us to the sweetest little Parisian cafe where I had my very first crepe! It was seriously unbelievable- I will never go back to American, puny little crepes now. 

    Then we went to Notre dame. WOW. It was amazing! The pictures don't do it justice. We went inside and just marveled at the beauty of the cathedral. You have to go if you never have. That's the only way to fully understand its majesty. 

Notre dame at night!

     That evening, we went to dinner with Luci and then did a night stroll by the Louvre. At night, the Louvre is all lit up and there was a jazz band playing inside an echoing corridor, which resonated throughout the entire area. Me, Luci, Carissa, and about six other Baylor friends just walked and talked and admired the general splendor. It was one of those nights that brings you so close to the people you are around, simply because you are sharing the memory with friends. We didn't do anything spectacular. We didn't go clubbing or out looking for night life. We just co-existed in a place where good conversation and the beauty of Paris were all we needed, and it was perfect. 

At the Palace of Versailles

    The next day (Saturday), me, Carissa, Kristen, Marley, Rebecca, Jake and Michael, all went to the palace of Versailles for the day. Versailles was gorgeous, of course. Carissa, Kristen and I went on a tour of the palace and basically had a photoshoot inside, no big deal. How can you not take pictures like crazy in a building that's basically made of gold?? 

    When we finished there, we went to the Louvre, and that's about all I have to say about that. It was sort of stressful, the size and massive amount of artwork. I felt bad not being more excited to be there, because it truly was amazing, but I think I was just on information overload. We saw the Mona Lisa, "The Wedding Feast," The Venus de Milo, and so many other famous works. After about two hours, my brain couldn't take it anymore and we left for dinner, famished. 

      We met up again with Luci in front of the city hall and she took us to an AMAZING Parisian restaurant right by the Eiffel tour. It was seriously the best meal I have had while in Europe thus far. We had steak and potatoes and veggies, and delicious French eclaires for dessert! I was in food heaven. 

      After dinner, we went to the Eiffel tour for the last time. Carissa, Kristen and I decided to go up to the top while the others hung out at the bottom. All I can say- BREATH-TAKING!! 

      We went up at just the right time, when the tower was sparkling on the hour! You could see every part of the city from way up there. A perfect 360 degree shot of Paris, and at night! I could have stayed up there in all my happiness and contentment forever. 

     As an added treat, we met a very sweet Brazilian family at the top! They reminded me of my favorite Brazilian foreign exchange family that visits us in the U.S.A, so it was really cool getting to chat with them. They talked to us about their family and their faith-- they were evangelical Christians. I told them we were too, and they lit up with excitement! It was awesome to see people so excited about their faith in Jesus, especially at the top of the Eiffel tour, in Europe, where Christianity doesn't seem as prevalent. As we were all standing up there, seemingly on top of the world, they asked us to pray with them. We circled up, held hands like family, and thanked God for the amazing encounter, and for all of the beauty we were witnessing there. It's amazing how God puts people in your life to encourage you in your faith, and to share precious moments like that with! 

    As soon as we got down, we still felt on cloud nine. And when we thought the night couldn't get any better, we saw a French man drop on one knee, right underneath the Eiffel tower, and propose to his girlfriend! Ahhh, and that's when we all got teary-eyed and emotional. The perfect ending to our last night in Paris. 

     The next day, we went to the Latin quarter and walked around a bit, and went to the famous cemetery in Paris where Oscar Wilde's tombstone lies. It was a really unique cemetery because there are beautiful headstones that basically look like small churches. I don't think there any any restrictions on tombstones, so there is a ton of variety and beauty among the different graves and tombstones. 

    After we left the cemetery, we went to a famous library, called Shakespeare and Company. It has lots of old collections and compilations of stories, and it's famous because Ernest Hemingway used to go and spend hours there. We sat and read for a bit, and then reluctantly made our way back to the apartment and packed up and headed back to Maastricht. 

     It was the perfect weekend in the city of Love. 

Paris

                                                          Paris

When city streets are lined with cafes, jazz bands play on metros, and pastries constitute a meal, you find yourself in Paris. This old and beloved city fulfills every joyous stereotype it’s known for. Upon arriving in this magical place, you might not think it lives up to those rigorous expectations. However, after a weekend exploring Paris, you will fall in love with its romantic ambience, and all that the city has to offer.

Luci and I!

Paris is home to over two million people, and over 11 million live in the surrounding suburbs. To get around, Parisians have their famous Metro system, which is considered the best public transportation system in the world. Parisians have a sense of pride in their great city unbeknownst to other European metropolises. These people know their city’s history and they are proud of their beautiful French language. If travelers attempt to speak the language and respect the city, the French will do the same for you. A friend once said, “The French are initially very closed off. They won’t go out of their way to greet you, but once you get to know them, they are the most loyal friends you will ever have.,”- Luci Meredith. 

Not only are the cities’ residents worth getting to know, but the monuments and attractions are worth the visit as well. Located along the river Seine, which runs through Paris, Notre dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel tower are just a few of the many places worth mentioning.

Notre dame

Inside Notre dame

At Notre dame, tourists find themselves overcome by the splendor of the medieval cathedral. While some come to pray and attend mass, others come to marvel at the magnificence of the building. Inside Notre dame are multiple memorials to famous church leaders and significant biblical activists. The cathedral is always free of charge, and open every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. except on weekends when it closes at 7:15 p.m. The sounds inside the church resonate from every direction, giving chills to awestruck visitors. Every lit candle, painting, and sculpture conveys the reverence this beautiful cathedral deserves.               

The Louvre is one of the world’s most famous art museums. Spending time inside this incredible place can easily eat away hours of the day. It is open every day except for Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for €9,50 per person, but admission is free for all visitors every first Sunday of the month. Visitors get lost in the magnificent paintings such as the famous “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo de Vinci and “The Wedding Feast” by Paolo Veronese. Inside the Louvre, visitors swarm the famous works of art like moths to a flame. 

Carissa and I

             Last but not least, the Eiffel tower: one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. This 1043-ft-tall masterpiece is a must-see in Paris. Over 250 million visitors have come to see it since its opening in 1889. Furthermore, one should pay the price to go to the top, because it’s definitely worth every euro. From atop the Eiffel tower, the whole city can be seen and marveled at.

            Although the sites and attractions are indispensable in making this city what it is, there is more to Paris than monuments. Visit the city, sit a while at a sidewalk café, have a glass of wine, and take everything in. Submerse yourself in the ambience. Watch the couples in love and the average passerby. Stop and marvel. The people, the sites, the history, and so much more combine to make Paris a city of wonder, love, and sheer enchantment. 

Sources of information:

1. http://www.paris-walking-tours.com/parisfacts.html#pp

2. http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp

3. http://www.cathedraledeparis.com/Opening-hours

4. http://www.tour-eiffel.com/everything-about-the-tower/the-eiffel-tower-at-a-glance

Train Travel In Europe

Country hopping in Europe may sound like a dream come true to the average American, but in reality, it can be the perfect nightmare. There are so many factors to be considered when traveling by train, so one should plan carefully before spontaneously jumping on a train for the weekend and setting off for adventure. 

Even if one has a Eurail pass, a delightful train ticket that can be used to travel in multiple countries, he should still avoid thinking it will work for every European train indefinitely. First of all, some countries require train reservations with every ticket. Italian trains, for instance, will not allow you to jump on a train with a Eurail pass unless you have previously booked the train and paid an additional feel. French trains also implement this policy. 

Another obstacle in train traveling is choosing a seat. Yes, what seems like a trivial task can become quite the headache. First of all, one should always make sure he is sitting in the class that corresponds to his ticket. Of course, some trains don’t label a cart as first or second-class, so be sure to ask around and find your correct class cart.  Generally speaking, if one is traveling with a Eurail pass, as most students are, he should avoid sitting in first-class altogether, because he will most likely be kicked out if his seat, and might even end up standing if there are no more second-class seats available.

            In addition to finding the correct cart, it’s also important to consider the fact that some seats have been reserved, and there may or may not be any sign indicating which seats are. The best advice in dealing with this situation is never get too comfortable in any seat.

            If this is starting to sound stressful, just wait. There’s more. Even if one has planned ahead and reserved a seat when necessary, it might be all for naught. On some trains, seat reservations are not enforced, so travelers may sit wherever they please as long as they have a reservation. However, when they are enforced, people might get a bit hostile when demanding their seats.

            The last factor worth mentioning is the dreaded split train, an unfamiliar concept to the average American. When the train destination says Köln, for example, only one half of the train could end up there, while the other half of the train might split and proceed to another destination. This operation is common in train travel, but can become quite the problem for non-European travelers, particularly because trains usually only announce the upcoming split in the country’s native language.

            Therefore, when choosing to travel by train in Europe, one should keep the hindrances mentioned above in mind, and be prepared to make mistakes. Train traveling is ideal for most students on an average budget, but always be ready for the unexpected. If travelers approach train transportation with a positive attitude, and easily shake off mistakes, they just might have a dream-come-true experience. 

Once Upon A Time in a Far Away Land.....

      I stepped into a fairy tale Saturday morning. I was lured back to childhood, without intending to go there. Every little girl dreams of being a princess-- of being in a far away land, riding in a horse-drawn carriage and making her way to an enchanted castle. Last Saturday, I was that princess from my childhood. 

Ready for our carriage ride to the castle!

      Three friends and I woke up early that morning in Munich in order to make our way to King Ludwig II's dream castle in Schwangau, Germany. Although I had seen pictures and dreamt of coming to this magical place, I stood in awe as I stepped off the train and gazed into the mountain side. The weather was brisk and the town was seemingly empty upon our early morning arrival. When we got there, we bought our tickets and had about an hour and a half to kill before our scheduled tour of the castle, so we wondered around the quiant, little town in search of the breakfast we failed to remember that morning. To our dismay, no cafes or restaurants were opened at that hour, so we happily had an excuse to grab muffins and hot chocolate to-go before we ascended in to the mountain. 
       With our warm drinks and pastries in hand, we were ready to make our way to the castle. Just when we were about to take off, we saw a horse-drawn carriage sitting on the side of the road, offering rides to the castle for six euros. Naturally, we decided that there was no other way to travel to castle than by carriage, therefore we quickly took up that offer, and rode up the snowy mountainside with blankets and hot chocolate.  

      The sun slowly crept out from behind the morning clouds as we approached the castle gate. The castle was more and more unfathomable as we got closer and closer, and when we reached the entrance, I could do nothing but stare in amazement. 

Sitting on a balcony in the castle,
 looking out in to the Alps

      The rest of the day followed in the same, awestuck fashion. The castle tour was unbelievable- the only way to really understand the experience is to go and see it for yourself. The castle was opened for visitors in 1886 after the King Ludwig's untimely and somewhat mysterious death. What makes the castle even more brilliant is the attention to detail in every room. Although the castle was never completed, the lavish rooms and magnificent furnishings make the castle a perfect dream world. Every chandelier is designed to look like crowns, every wall and ceiling is covered in mural paintings of Ludwig's favorite plays, and every table cloth, and comforter- was designed with pictures of swans, Ludwig's favorite animal. 
     I have sincerely never been to a more magical place in my life. I don't know when I will be able to go back, but until I do, I will always look back at the day I was able to step in to a dream, and revisit child-like wonder. 

      
      
For more information on the Neuschwanstein Castle, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein_Castle

München, Germany Part 1- Dachau Concentration Camp

This weekend was our first chance to travel on our own. 


Thursday afternoon, three friends and set off for Munich Germany. We had everything ready to go- hostel reservations printed, directions, eurrail passes, and train times. We left the Maastricht train station at 4:30p.m. and headed to Liege, Belgium, one of our transfer cities. We did pretty well on our first real train trip, until we realized in Aachen, Germany that our eurrail passes don't work for private trains...and did I mention we were already on the train when we came to that realization? Oops. But let me tell you, the words "avez-vous une réservation?" have never been so scary. Luckily, the conductor was very friendly and understanding and only made us pay an entry fee at half price. But needless to say, I will NEVER mistakenly take the "Thalys" line again! 

The Wombat: our first hostel experience

     We arrived in Munich at 12:30 a.m. and with the help of our written out directions, walked directly to our hostel without any problems. We were all pretty tired, but also very excited to stay the night in our very first hostel! 
       Due to the fact that we waited until the last minute to reserve a room, the four of us girls were in a six-person mixed dormitory, which meant we would most likely have two male roommates. I have to say, it was a bit uncomfortable walking in to the room and seeing a random man in a bed only a few feet away from mine, but we soon fell fast asleep and forgot about it until morning. On Friday, we woke up and had the awkward "nice to meet you boy-roommate" chat, haha, but both of the guys turned out to very nice. Jesse, a 24-year-old Canadian, was traveling Europe for a few weeks after the death of his grandfather. Maximillian, was a 37-year-old lawyer from Berlin who was taking social law classes in Munich. Both were great conversationalists, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them over the course of one evening. It's always inspiring to get to know people from a completely different background than you and see what makes them tick, what drives them, and what their dreams for the future are. 

        Despite our get-to-know-you chats at the hostel, we didn't spend much time there. We woke early Friday and went to Dachau, the very first WWII concentration camp opened on March 22, 1933. I have only ever read about this place in history books and have seen a few memorials in the U.S. but nothing brings the horrors of the holocaust to surface like actually seeing a camp for yourself. 

      When we arrived at the site, it was cold, overcast, and the grounds were layered in a blanket of icy snow. The fact that we visited this accursed place during winter made the reality of its conditions even more sickening. We walked around the site for a few hours, reading informational posters and observing old camp artifacts. We watched a documentary that explained in detail the happenings of this camp in unpleasant detail. Then we tried to prepare ourselves as we walked through some of the most horrific places in camp: the crematorium and the gas chambers. I imagine I don't need to explain to you what went on there, but I will say that walking through those very rooms and chambers was sickening. When you are standing in the exact place where tens of thousands of innocent lives were taken, you will either emtionally seperate yourself from it, or embrace a very dark, unwelcome tragedy. In that quiet moment, I quickly felt myself submersed in to the latter of the two. 
         On April 29, 1945, Dachau was liberated by American Army forces. 


"Our forces liberated and mopped up the infamous concentration camp at Dachau. Approximately 32,000 prisoners were liberated; 300 SS camp guards were quickly neutralized."- General Dwight D. Eisenhower 

Arbeit macht frei

      At the main enttrance is a gate that had the words "Arbeit macht frei," which translates "work makes you free." I cannot begin to imagine the feeling of triumph these prisoners must have experienced when they were finally able to walk out of that awful place as free men for the first time in years.   

       

          
    

Life in the Heart of Europe

    Well, here I am, two days in to life as a student and not just a traveler here in Europe. I started classes Monday! But before I get into that, first I'll tell you how the rest of the weekend went. 

    On Saturday, we woke up early and went to a World War 2 museum about ten minutes outside of the city of Maastricht. It was pretty amazing because I had no idea there was such a huge WW2 memorial in Netherlands- and it's solely to honor American soldiers who fell to protect and liberate this part of Europe. 

   After we left the memorial, we went to a little town called Valkenberg about ten miles away from Maastricht. It was one of my favorite places we've seen so far! It was quite small and it was absolutely adorable. It's exactly what you would think of when you think of a Dutch town: Wooden shoes for sale, mills, and tiny streets with names too long to attempt to pronounce. The buildings were really unique and sidewalk cafes were literally everwhere. One cafe connects to the next. 
    After we walked through the town, we had lunch in a cave- literally. It was something I can honestly say I have never done before! After lunch, we took a tour of the town with a sweet little Dutch man. Then we went into some catacombs, which I had also never experienced before. At one point in the tombs, we blew out all of our candles and walked through some of the tunnels in complete darkness! It was exhilarating! 
     After our day in Valkenberg, we went back to Maastricht.

Enjoying our hot chocolate on a chilly Sunday!

   On Sunday, we slept in for the first time since we arrived in Europe...and it was WONDERFUL! I seriously needed it. When we finally willed ourselves out of bed that afternoon, we decided to walk through the town on our own. Four of us girls went to the main city square and had lunch at... you guessed it, a side walk cafe. It was a beautiful but chilly day, and the sun was shining so we wanted to soak in some rays. We had the best hot chocolate ever! It was especially nice because the cup size was normal for once. (Most cups are about half the size of an American standard-sized mug). 

The beautiful city square

   After lunch, we went to the local library, which turns out to be a famous European library. It's in a beautiful old cathedral located right off the main city square. As I walked through the library in awe, I thought to myself, "can you imagine if we had a Barnes & Noble in a CATHEDRAL?" It was unreal. 
    In fact, that's something I have been thinking about a lot while in Europe. Nearly every building I pass by is breath-taking, and hundreds of years old. I feel a sense of ungratefulness for the fact that I don't stop and marvel at the beauty of every single building I pass! Which leads me to discuss my appreciation for the location of my studies this semester. 

One of the buildings my classes are held in

     I am taking four classes while in Europe this semester: World History, Intercultural Philosophy and Communication, Modernism and Beyond: European Literature, and Travel Writing. I am taking two of those classes with European professors, which I think I am really going to enjoy. It's nice to learn and discuss issues with someone who comes from a completely different background of experience. 
       Since everything in Europe is pretty tightly spaced, colleges and universities like the University of Maastricht generally aren't made up in one spot. The building I am taking a literature class in, a 17th century edifice, is about a 20-25 minute walk from the guesthouse dormitory I am staying in. It's rather cold walking in light snow and bitter temperatues, however, after walking to class today, I came to appreciate the fact that I finally am feeling like I actually LIVE in this amazing place. It was so freeing to walk through the town, crossing streets and passing locals on my way to a daily committment- NOT just a tourist visit.