Saying Goodbye

My last few weeks in Alicante were almost somber. It's a weird feeling to prepare to leave a place you've lived in for 4 months. I guess you could say nostalgia already hit me. I spent my last week running around to all the places I liked to visit and took pictures. I climbed the Santa Barbara Castle one last time.



Strolled along La Rambla, took a siesta on the beach and walked along all the shops near Plaza Luceros.



Due to a friend I also discovered nisperos which are known as loquats in the States and are AMAZING. I just found out they grow in some of the southern parts of the States so I'm going to scavenge for them in grocery stores now. Its like a mix between a kiwi and apricot. YUM YUM YUM.



My host mom even made me one last plate of Paella. Host dad Jesus insisted the wine be represented in this picture.



It was really hard for me to say goodbye to my host mom. Every time she saw me packing, she'd tear up and all I could think was how grateful I was to have such a compassionate and caring host mom. It was also difficult to say goodbye to the children I tutored. They were one of my highlights of my time abroad and I loved being able to watch them grow academically. Their family was so kind to me and I gave them my email and address so we can keep in touch. Little Eva and I are going to be Pen pals so she can practice her English! I miss her so much already!



When my plane took off, I knew the time came for me to say goodbye to Espana; or, I should say Hasta Luego. I know I'll be back one day to show others the place I not only studied, but explored foreign cultures and grew as a person. People always say that a study abroad experience can change your life, and I agree. Throwing yourself outside your comfort zone can teach you so much about yourself and others. You learn what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes and not panic when plans change. (Traveling will do that to ya!). I can honestly say that because of my my study abroad experience, I feel more prepared to finish my last year of university and enter the "real" world. I mean, after being stranded in Sorrento in the middle of the night, harassed by ticket checkers in Naples, feeling humbled by the Eiffel Tower, getting trapped in a human stampede during Las Fallas, and pondering the mysteries of the world at the top of the Santa Barbara Castle, I say real world, bring it on.

Just follow the Canal ....

The audacity of people to build marble palaces on a sinking marsh still amazes me. While floating down the canals of Venice, you pass by quaint villas and old palaces in all their Venetian charm. Walls of lilacs are draped over crumbing walls and Gondolas gather in bunches to tourists delight.



During our visit to Venice we stayed inland in the little town of Mirano to save money. While figuring out the public transportation system was a pain, it was nice to see parts of Italy untouched by tourists. Old abandoned houses were overgrown with wildflowers and vines while others stood proudly next to their gardens and roaming farm animals. There even were some old mansions that were clearly built in Venice’s heyday.

We slowly found out that our choice of town was a bit out of the way, but we did find our way into Venice eventually! With our water transportation tickets in hand we floated towards San Marco’s plaza to see the famous Basilica.



The church was closed that day so we walked through the tiny side streets surrounding the Plaza. We soon learned that Venice is laid out like a labyrinth, but we found a little restaurant that Lonely Planet recommended and sat down for our first plate of Italian Spaghetti. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint and ran a pretty good race next to my grandma’s, but I do wish the serving size was a bit more generous.



After lunch we hunted down some gelato and took a tour of the Palazzo Ducale. The Palazzo used to hold the Italian equivalent to the CIA and was where Casanova was held captive for "seducing nuns".

After our tour we hit up a local pizza shop near S. Toma. This was probably the BEST pizza I’ve ever had EN MI VIDA; it even beat out pizza in Naples. We sat near the “pizza-making counter” and I stared mesmerized by everything they put into the oven. If I had a bigger stomach, I’d have order the calzone too, it was as big as my head!

The next morning we ventured back to the Basilica. The inside of the church was magnificent. The ceilings were high and intricately laid with golden mosaics; each telling a story from the Bible. I can only imagine what people must have thought of this church when it was first built considering all other buildings were mainly wooden with low ceilings. Only the best for the remains of Saint Mark!



Next we took a boat over to Murano, the island of the glassmakers. Back in medieval times, if glass artisans left their island they could face execution. Venice managed to keep their glass making techniques a secret for centuries, but now the island welcomes visitors to tour the island and the museum. We visited the glass museum, which was rather small, but interesting. You’d never imagine everything that goes into glass blowing. That night we grabbed some more pizza and headed back to our tiny inland town.



Our last day in Venice we dropped off our luggage at the train station and headed to Rialto. This was one of the more bustling areas overflowing with chatty shop owners and shoppers. We enjoyed wandering the streets for a while before finding the Fashion Museum where we toured rooms of an old palace and got a glimpse at how Venetians lived. After one peak at a Countess' corset, I’m glad I was born in the 90s.

After grabbing gelato, we took a boat to Burano, the lace-making island.Another guarded secret of Venice, but what really caught my eye, and most of the photographers, was the color of the houses. Each house was painted a brillante blue, pastel pink or lime green. Suave purples popped up and yellow houses rounded the corners. It was a magical little place. Cute parks “laced” the island and locals were out and about heading to church and gathering with family, as it was Easter Sunday.

Colorful little Burano was the perfect end to Venice. Venice is probably one of the few cities you can have fun getting lost in because around every corner is a new surprise. Not the mention, the pizza and gelato are great. I left the island with a heavy heard and remedied it with, of course, more pizza before we caught our overnight train to Naples.

22, 345, 689, ONE THOUSAND steps

My explorations of the Thousand Steps of Positano and the Amalfi Coast.



On a Tuesday morning I set out for Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast. Traveling with my friend Emma, we took the train from Naples to Sorrento and then hopped on a bus to Positano. The bus was packed and while the guardrails were evident, every turn we took gave us a good glance at the ocean and threatened to drop us off the edge. Minus the curves, the views from the bus already proved the Amalfi Coast promising.



We made our first stop in the small town of Positano. Now this town scatters the cliffs in pastel houses grouping to a mosaicked church near the beach. Only one road runs through this town, and the other mode of transportation is, surprise, surprise, your own two feet! Staircases wind themselves throughout the town and they’re the easiest way to get down to the beach. Now whoever thought thousands of steps was easy baffles me, but it nonetheless provides the town with a classic charm.



We began our journey down the famed Thousand Steps of Positano and stopped for lunch at cliff side café. We munched on tomato and mozzarella sandwiches then continued till reaching sandy shores. Near the beach are cute shops, many hosting ceramics made by local artists. Gelato shops are of plenty and I grabbed my usual lemon chocolate mix before sitting down to rest. We walked by the pier and caught sight of some children playing in the sea spray that rose from pier-wave collisions. They were so cute twirling their umbrellas around and squealing when the waves rose to meet them.

With half the day past, we began our way back up the Thousand Steps; and by the way, there really are one thousand, we counted. Along our climb we encountered more breath taking views and made friends with a step-crossing snail. We also befriended an older Italian man who insisted we walk the road in order to enjoy the views properly; apparently huffing up the staircases is no way to see the town. Since time was running out we continued on our breathless climb and caught the next bus to Amalfi.

Amalfi is nestled within another cliffside that descends into a beach. The town was actually much larger that Positano and boasted an almost Moorish looking church in its center square. Little shops conqure every free space along the road hosting more ceramics, leather and the famous Lemonchello. We stopped in one shop to learn about the intoxicating lemon craze. As it turns out, family-run lemonchello breweres (if they're called that?) are abundent along the Amalfi coast and no wonder they've become so popular; the drink is basically pure alchohol with a lemon punch. Besides it's strong affects, its comes in a wide varity as families have added other fruit flavors and stored them into painted bottles. We purchesed mini-sized bottles that are airport security proof. Thank goodness, because I was not going to have another suntan lotion incident.


We browsed some shops to admire all the ceramics then sat down to dinner at a resturante facing the square. I once again I ordered pizza. I thought I might branch out for once, but considering Pizza is always delicous and always the cheapest option, it's hard to resist. I suppose you could say my "all carb Italy diet" turned into a "all Pizza Italy diet." Halfway through our meal, music resembling something from Celtic Women floated across the square. Minutes later, an assembly of people had gathered and I realized we were being provalaged to a politcal gathering. Elections are coming soon in Spain and I suppose Italy as well. We tested out our Spanish knowledge and could pick up a few words from the Italians' speeches. It lasted about an hour and we swapped travel stories with our dinner table neighbor from London. You always meet the most interesting people while traveling. You'd be surprised who you can befriend and the things you'll learn.

After dinner we made our way back out to the buses and headed towards Naples. While our plans became a bit ruffled when we realized the trains stopped running after we arrived at the station, we located a bus to Naples, and with the assistance of a local who spoke English, made it safely back to the hostel around 1am.

The Amalfi coast and the towns surrounding it are really a sight to behold. They're quaint, peacefull and every cliffside view leaves you breathless. I enjoyed being able to experience the little towns that seem to preserve Italian charm and culture so much more than the larger cities. Personally, the larger cities seem to be victims of globalization and tourism at present; but if you look hard enough, you'll find little treasures in the most unexpected places.

La Dulce Vida

Emma and I took on the little island of Capri on the last day of our Italy tour and thank goodness we did because the weather gods blessed us with sunny skies and light sea breezes.




The Island of Capri is a tranquil mix between resort town and local farmers. The hillsides are scattered with villas, little vineyards and gardens. Scaling up the cliffs are patches of trees and the backside of the Island seems to house the elite which once coined the phrase, La Dulce Vida. The grottos glow, the views are breath taking and everything lemon leaves a bittersweet taste on your tongue.



We arrived on the island by ferry around 9am. Sunshine was still spilling into the narrow streets of Capri Town and we wandered along cobblestone paths to take in our surroundings. Most of the town was still waking up, but shop owners and vineyard caretakers were up and about with their morning chores. Every street was lined with luxurious villas or the whitewashed houses of locals. More towards the main square, the side streets were home to Louis Vuitton and all his expensive brother and sister shops. Every window glittered with rhinestones or shone with silk-draped mannequins. After grabbing a croissant we took a bus up the twisty roads to Anacapri. This part of the island hosts more locals as quaint homes and gardens scatter across the rising peak. I’d read in my Lonely Planet book that Capri was known for its sandal making; so I’m guilty of seeking out the renowned sandal maker Antonio Viva.



He really is a charming old man. He sits outside his workshop, surrounded by sandals of every size shape and style. On approach, I could hear him humming a tune while he pieced together the sole of a sandal in making. I couldn’t resist. Antonio explained the majority of the old photographs pasted on his walls and in between learning the history of his business; I tried on about 15 pairs of sandals. I eventually opted for a simple pair with metallic gold straps. While he added the finishing touches, I couldn’t help but smile.



After receiving my hand made sandals, I located the chair lift that would take me to the peak of Capri. I was slightly unnerved in the beginning; however I soon learned the views make you forget the non-locking, thin metal bar holding you in place. From the top I could see the whole island and in the distance, Sorrento and Naples. There was a cool breeze being lifted off the sea and I laid about on the grassy cliff side to sunbath for about an hour. As difficult as it was, I descended the cliff via the chairlift in search of gelato. After acquiring my usually chocolate and lemon gelato cone (It really is delicious) I meandered back down to the Marina to locate a boat tour of the island. Unfortunately the water was too high to allow tours of the Blue Grotto, but I was very content with my island tour. The boat took us into grottos that were blooming with coral flowers, dripping with stalagtites and stalagmites (Grotta Bianca) and the Green Grotto, which glowed with the same electricity as the Blue Grotto. We saw natural arches, the Anacapri Light House, Villa Malaparte and drove through the Faraglioni. I suppose what captivated me the most was simply the color of the water; It was the most brillante blue I’ve ever seen. No doubt the Hawaiian Islands still have my bid for the clearest water, but here, the sparkling, shimmering, bright blue water is a sight in itself.



After the boat tour I laid on the rocky beach for an hour or two just to listen to the waves and read. Seriously guys, if you’re a book geek and like to travel, a kindle or any e-book is one of the best investments you’ll ever make. Once the sun set, I grabbed pizza from a restaurant on the Marina and befriend a Golden Retriever who graciously helped me finish my crusts. As I waited for the boat to take me back to Naples, I reflected on my day and decided that Capri has the ability to transport it’s visitors away from reality for a bit. I hope that one day I’ll be back, and for more than just a day.

Either You Love Naples, Or You Hate It

Note: This post will either leave you laughing at our bad luck or in shock of our misfortunes; either way, I know one day I’ll look back and laugh, “Remember that one time in Naples?”

To be honestly with you all, I “strongly dislike” Naples; and that’s putting it politely. I was expecting this city on the coast to be blessed with ornate architecture and Italian charm, which it somewhat had; HOWEVER, nowhere in the Lonely Planet book did it mention that it was all covered under a piles of trash. Almost every corner was home to a permanent pile of trash that either overtook the whole sidewalk or was stacked up to the top of street signs. In addition, every local we met told us not to wander around at night and always keep our purses glued to our sides. Not too bad seeing as purse snatchers are prominent in almost every popular European city and darkness always brings concerns, but this time the locals actually looked concerned for us. Why didn’t anyone say anything before? Why didn’t the book mention trash? The questions go in circles. After asking around, we came to the combined conclusion that the trash has been a “norm” in the city for the past 10 years or longer. Apparently it’s not picked up because there is nowhere to put it and the government and Mafia (Yes, they do exist) are in conflict.



So all my hopes and dreams about the city of Naples were crushed and I sulked around the first day trying to wrap my head around how I’d made such an idealization. It took about an hour before we decided to get out of the city and we escape to Pompeii for a few hours before returning to begin a dinner hunt. We met up with a guy from our hostel and wandered around some residential areas and were relieved to see that the trash wasn’t as prevalent, but the buildings seemed to be in a crumbling state. No one bothered to clean off graffiti or reapply stucco, which was usually missing in chunks. It really hit home with me to realize that a city with so much history and so much potential was going to trash, literally.



The following days in Naples were actually spent exploring the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Capri.
(NOTE: those trips were amazing so check out those blogs for a nicer read)

During our second night in the Naples, we were returning from a day trip from the Amalfi Coast. We took all the right buses to get back, but somehow failed to realize that local trains stop running at 10pm and we were thus stuck in Sorrento, about 2 hours away from Naples. We were fortunate enough to find a bus that drove us back that night, but not without it scaring the living daylights out of us first. That ride had me saying my Hail Mary’s and every other prayer I remembered from my Confirmation classes. On top of that, we arrived at half past midnight and no local buses were coming our way. We opted to walk the 20 minutes back to the hostel, but a local from the bus (he spoke English) intercepted and escorted us to the nearest taxi because it wasn’t safe. Bless that man.

The following day passed without any problems, but the morning we left turned into another sticky situation. Now before I begin my story here’s some background info. From my weeklong experience, I’ve found that Italy (In terms of Naples more so than Venice) has the oddest and most dysfunctional public transportation service. In Venice if there wasn’t a store to buy public transportation tickets, you could at least buy them on board; however Naples seemed to have vetoed that option. So the day we arrived in Naples, the ticket women not only sold us the wrong ticket, but also wouldn’t sell us both a ticket. So we hopped on the bus. Later we found out that the women charged me extra for an all-day pass for one person. The morning we left there were no ticket booths open and none near the bus stop, so we hopped on the bus and of course couldn’t buy them on board. We figured we might make it okay considering 80% of the other passengers didn’t have tickets either and we only had a 5 minute ride. Um, NO. Just as our bad luck should have predicted, a ticket checker came on board and demanded that we, and the 10 or so other people on board each pay the 41 Euro fine. Fast forward to the end, an Italian woman was screaming at the ticket checker to let us “tourists” go and he let me run for my train, which I made by exactly 1 minute. Unfortunately Emma and I still had to pay the fine, but I suppose we were the lucky ones because we spilt the total while the rest of our ticketless group was held to the full price. Now I understand that there are rules and it was his job; but this guy was like the cop out of Meet the Fockers 2. If you haven’t seen it, look it up because you’ll probably end up laughing.

On a practical note, I believe Naples should try selling tickets on the bus like Venice; however, they might lose money considering the fortune they rack up fining people; locals and tourists alike. Personally, it all seems like a scam because it’s a ridiculous system for tourists to navigate and the majority of citizens don’t bother to abide by its rules. Anyway, I hope they use our money for something useful, like trying to clean up the city.



Hostel of The Sun, Naples, Italy

THE GOOD PART about Naples was that our hostel, Hostel of the Sun, was the BEST hostel I've ever stayed in. It was smaller, colorful and filled with great people. The beds had comfy-feathered blankets and each an extra fleece throw if you were cold. At breakfast, each table had a huge tub of Nutella that you can pile onto as much toast as you want. They also provided milk, juice, cereals and fruit free of charge. At night everyone gathers in the common room and bar area where cocktails are 2 for 5 euro. One night we all gathered for the Barcelona verse Real Madrid game and another to play a few rounds of cards. They provide board games, movies and Wii if you want as well. All the bathrooms were single person, and while everyone shared, they were spotlessly clean and there was always hot water. It also helped that the price was the cheapest I've experienced. On a comical note one cheerful staff member even told us to "look past the rubbish" but Emma and I couldn't help but think, "that's a bit difficult, when it's literally always blocking your view." But anyway, the picture above I grabbed from hostelbookers, but it gives you an idea. I've posted the link to this hostel below the picture and as far as I'm concerned it gets an A++.

To close the books on this adventure, if you’re planning to visit Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, stay in Sorrento. The town is cute and safe, the shopping is great and its close to everything.

3 Hollins Women, One Big Barcelona

This weekend my Hollins girlfriends and I hit the streets of Barcelona. Not exactly Cheetah Girl Style, but we rocked it. The first night we arrived around 11pm. So we dropped our things off at Kabul -our hostel in Plaza Real right off Las Ramblas – before hitting up some long awaited tapas. Then we located the closest Dunkin’ Coffee (Dunkin’ Donuts Spanish Style) for future reference and took to bed.


The following morning we rushed out to make our 11am tickets for La Sagrada Familia and the church left nothing to disappoint. The gothic style building peaks higher than almost anything in the city and it still amazes me how original and intricate the architecture is. When we walked inside, we were taken back by the pillars that mirror Red Wood trees. They seemed to turn the church into a stone forest.

There were four pillars that had glowing circlets of a lion, angle, and other animals. They would have looked so out of place in any church, but in Gaudi’s, they just made his style more robust. I have no idea what they represent and unfortunaly wiki doesn't comment on them. Before leaving we checked out Antoni Gaudí's crypt and took the lift up into the towers too see the top of the towers and the work still in process. After we grabbed pizzas by a nearby bar and took the metro over to Parque Guell.

The plaza of Parque Güell made me feel like I was a play piece on Candy Land (If you all remember that childhood board game). The houses looked like they were made out of gingerbread and the curvy staircase transported you to a different world with the famous mosaic lizard. The rest of the park I was slightly disappointed with. The viewing area had the beautiful mosaicked seats, but the center was a giant dust bowl. I wish they had an input box so I could recommend grass; however, there was this man in the middle jamming out on plastic tubs. Usually street performers can pull this off, but this guy was literally beating to a whole new drum with NO rhythm in a magician’s cape and Heinekens hat. I thought at first he was pulling a prank until I saw him the following day down at the beach.

When we hiked around the uppermost part of the park we eventually found cute grassy patches and park-like areas. Off to the left of the park are stone steps that curve into a platform laden with stone crosses. Gaudí’s faith in the Catholic Church seems to always artfully show itself in all of his work. From that point we could see almost the entire city including La Sagrada Familia and the beach. That night we wandered the city till we found the Barcelona Cathedral. After walking by it about 4 times, we found it. It was beautiful, but because it was under construction, we weren’t able to see it all lit up. So along with a guide book and our imaginations, we imagined it lit up before scampering off to more tapas for dinner.



Speaking of the Beach, we spent the majority of the next day sunbathing in the sands of Barcelona’s coast. While Kelsey and I gradually turned darker shades of brown, our friend Emma just seemed to turn pink, then eventually red. So we packed up our stuff and meandered down the walkway for 30 minutes stopping to play with cute dogs and find good benches for people watching and conversation. Just a heads up for any beach goers, if you walked down towards all the restaurants, you’ll find an outdoor exercise park, filled with toned athletes. Conveniently, the city placed numerous stone benches in front of this park and so, this area doesn’t just provide the ocean as a great view. After our beach adventure we grabbed some gelato then went back to the room for a siesta and shower before heading out for dinner. It was a casual evening spent with friends and we didn’t head out to any big clubs like most of the jovenes; but I suppose that’s because we were rather content with good sangria, good tapas and good friends.



The following morning was our last in Barcelona so while my friends headed down to the beach for some extra sun I took the tram up to the top of the Montjuïc fortress. It has an intense past as many people were imprisoned, tortured and executed here; however its gardens were perfectly laid out and from the very top was the BEST view of Barcelona.The fortress gives you a panoramic view of the city, mountains, portside/industrial section and ocean. I made peace walking the grounds, posing for pictures with ginormous guns and enjoying the breeze and pretty views. It was the perfect ending to my Barcelona trip with the whole city laid out before me.



If there was one thing I had to gripe about its my failed attempt to take my suntan lotion through airport security. I bought water-resistant, UVA, UVB 50SPF for 11 euros, which is a bargain in Alicante (At the pharmacies in Alicante 30SPF non water-resistant is 18 euro). So instead of trying to smuggle it through airport security like me, pack a giant bottle when you come over from the States and a little travel container for trips. Your skin will thank you later.

Next week Emma and I are heading out to Venice, Naples, Capri and Pompeii for Semanta Santa; so until then, Beso Beso!

Hola? Bonjour? HELLO?!

Let me start off by saying the people of Paris completely banished any “snob” stereotype I might have had. The people are charming, the city is beautiful and I couldn’t keep my eyes off the ornate architecture. Secondly, the beginning of my trip followed the script of TAKEN word for word. A girl and her friend Amanda travel to Paris share a cab with a boy named Peter, he invites them to a party and they are kidnapped. We skipped the kidnapping aspect, but we couldn’t help but notice I was traveling with my friend Amanda to Paris, sharing a bus with a boy named Peter and he invited us out to a Party that night. WEIRD. But our Peter was Polish and insisted that if you drink Polish Vodka, you know EVERYTHING.



Continuing, our first night in Paris we spent a good two hours trying to find our Hotel, but after two trips on the subway, I felt like I knew it backwards and forwards. My friend Amanda and I pulled a total tourist move and booked a double-decker bus tour for our first night there so we could see all the monuments lit up at night. That was 22 euros worth my money. We saw the Eiffle Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées, Les Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb), Opéra Garnier, Moulin Rouge, the Luxor Obelisk and so much more in all they’re sparkly glory. When we approached the Eiffel Tower I had jaw-drop syndrome. If I wasn’t already a hopeless romantic, the Eiffel tower had converted me. I know it’s a “tower,” but it literally TOWERS over the entire city. The nearby buildings bask its golden glow and when it sparkles, it’s like the world stops to stare. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but really, it’s one BIG work of art. Another interesting sight was all the jovenes drinking by the Sien River. Groups of party goers had set up blankets along the canal and were drinking wine to their hearts content. I had Dorothy moment and told Amanda, “We’re SO NOT in America anymore.” Paris was just like Spain when it comes to drinking. It’s casual and in public. I still get the urge to tell people, “OMGOSH, I hope the cops don’t come!” Before I remind myself that the cops are probably drinking down there with them.




My next favorite excursion was the Louvre. Lucky for us we went of the first Sunday of the Month (April) when the Louvre was free. Que Suerte! We saw the Mona Lisa and just about every other famous painting my art teachers made me interpret in elementary school. And just in case you didn’t know, the Louvre is HUGE. I swear they’d need a search and rescue team if someone went missing. It took us about 4-5 hours to cover all the floors and we spent the rest of our time browsing all the shops below the museum. It’s a chic mini mall down there.




The next day we walked the inside of Notre Dame and caught up with a friend for lunch and chit-chat in the Luxemburg gardens before scaling the Eiffel Tower. The gardens of Luxemburg are impresionante. There are tulips in bloom everywhere you look and the landscaping is immaculate. It’s a great spot for reading a book and enjoying on gelato.


When it came to the Eiffel Tower we really didn’t “scale” it. We cheated like 99% of the rest of tourists and took an elevator to the top. From the top, we received 360 degree views of Paris. We could point our every important monument and watch the Sein River twist through the city. The sky was blue, the clouds were puffy and we were some VERY happy tourists. We spent that night wandering the streets before sitting down at a cute little restaurant.
It’s difficult to find a place to eat that doesn’t cater to tourists in Paris, but I was perfectly content with this restaurant. Amanda and I paid ten euro each for our meal, which included an appetizer, main course and dessert of choice. The waiter even gave us wine on the house since we were his favorite costumers that night; which may or may not have anything to do with our picked tulips and lilacs that we placed in a vase the table. I think it was a good trade, we helped them with interior design and they gave us free wine. Our last morning in Paris was a quickie. We grabbed muffins at the McCafe and some photos in front of the Eiffel Tower before catching our bus to the airport.

Basically I LOVED Paris because I got my fill of Monet, Nutella and bannana crepes and architecture in one swoop.