We woke up REALLY early today to get to the airport to catch our flight out of Rome to Paris. We had arranged for a taxi to pick us up from our hotel at 5AM and with all of the transportation strikes taking place in France I was just hoping the taxi and flight worked out because we would have to spend a significant amount of money and time to get to Paris otherwise.
Our taxi arrived and we got to the airport and check in with no problems…other than the Taxi man totally ripping us off, but it was early and we got there. Everything with the flight went smooth and we arrived to Paris by 9AM. We landed at a small airport that the discount airline flies to. It is a city close to Paris, and our plan was to take the commuter train to Paris, but when we arrived we discovered the train was not running. Luckily a bus was able to take us into Paris for a small fee and an hour later we were at a main metro hub in Paris and from there we were able to reach our hotel via the Paris underground Metro.
We were the first group to arrive and met Krystn Clark, Huntsman Internship Coordinator, who had been checked into the hotel already. We dropped our stuff a d decided to get lunch. We went to this place called Indianas which is France’s take on a Chilis or Applebees. It is meant to mimmick these restaurants. I know…I go all the way to Paris to eat at Chilis, but it was really cold and it was across the street from our hotel and figured I would be enjoying French cuisine for the rest of our stay.
After lunch we went back to the hotel and in the lobby ran into Dan Holland, one of the entrepreneurship professors, and Rashid, a friend of the college of business who is a very successful entrepreneur. Both of them had barely arrived to the hotel and the lot of us decided to go see some of the great sites of Paris.
We boarded the metro to the Champs Elysees, the street leading up to the Arc de Triumph. It was so fun walking up the Champs Elysees and be in Paris. I have always dreamed of coming to Paris and loved walking around and observing everyone. I thought people were fashionable in Switzerland and Italy, but they don’t hold a candle to the French. Everyone was wearing great scarves and although it was a bit colder out anyway I have the feeling even in good weather scarves are an essential fall wardrobe accessory!
We ended at the Arche de Triumph and took some great pictures of this historic monument. I can hardly believe how well this city has been preserved. I was blown away at how almost every building is so beautiful. There are many buildings that if they were in any other city they would be the main attraction, but are only side notes to the overall grandeur of Paris.
From the Arch de triumph we walked to the famous Sacre Coeur Cathedral that sits on the main bluff overlooking Paris. It is quite the walk from the Arch de Triumph and Rashid was insistent on walking and explained to us the only way to truly see Paris is in walking everywhere. He was absolutely true and although my legs could hardly move from walking everywhere in Rome it was so fun walking down the avenues and through the parks of Paris. Becky and I found these great prints of the Paris landmarks and bought them for a great price.
The Sacre Coeur was packed as today was Sunday. It was a beautiful Cathedral and the white spires standout among the rest of the Paris skyline. I hate that I have become a Cathedral snob and will openly admit my flaw, but after you walk into so many they begin to mesh together. It is especially hard to visit any cathedral after going to St. Peter’s Basilica and not comparing it to the magnificence of The Vatican. So I apologize for my European arrogance at this time and hope you don’t judge me for these comments.
After Sacre Ceour we arrived back to the hotel and met Shannon and Stacey (our professors). Stacey had flown in only a few days earlier and brought me some great medicine that Logan got to her before she left. I also received a great photo of Logan and all of my roommates wearing my argyle sweaters…it was pretty hilarious! I know of course Logan orchestrated the whole thing and the picture was taken in my room at my apartment in Logan
Most of the other groups arrived to the hotel minutes later and we all split for dinner. Becky and I decided to go to dinner with Rashid and the professors (everyone was invited, but a lot of people only wanted a light snack). Andrew one of the other students came too and it was by far one of my favorite dinners from the trip. There were 8 of us and we went to this little restaurant only a block from our hotel. I ordered this AMAZING cooked duck and had the best Crème Brulee of my life! It was SOOOOOO good! Several of the professors ordered escargot and I tried it! It was actually really good! I felt so cultured! I actually ate a few and quite enjoyed them so much! The dinner was so fun and we just enjoyed one another’s company for over two hours. It helped me to understand why French culture is so tied to the food because it is at this time you build great relationships with each other.
It has been really fun on this trip to get to know Dr. Peterson (Shannon) and Dr. Hills (Stacey) in a completely new way outside of the classroom. They both have so great stories and experiences. What has surprised me the most has been the things I have learned about the other students. I have had class with these people for weeks, we’ve had study groups and lunches together, but traveling together is a completely new experience. I have learned so many new things about this great group people and this experience has deepened our friendships. I owe this back to this European philosophy of “living to eat” and stopping to take the time to sit down and enjoy a great meal together. Our culture needs more of that! Paris is magical!!
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