Paris, France

Thursday was a LONG day of travel, to put things mildly. With our reserved seats on the night train, we hopped on the train to Munich for a six-hour layover. Having just been in Munich, we felt comfortable with the city and simply meandered the rainy streets, ducking in for lunch at Pizza Hut and some lackluster shopping in the German equivalent of FAO Schwatrz. Needless to say, I was in Playmobil heaven! There were so many cool toys that we ended up spending over an hour perusing the model cars, board games, trains, and toys.

By 10 PM, we were ready to board the train and I was ready for some sleep. We found our compartment and seats on the train with relative ease. Sitting in a 6-person compartment that was nearly full and trying to sleep is really not very easy. The seats do not recline, everyone has luggage, so space is cramped. Foreigners smell bad and do not understand the concept of the “personal bubble.” After a couple of half hour naps, I was tired of being on the train. Too bad it was only 2 AM.

One of the things that I missed on my first tour of Paris was the confusing maze of underground tunnels that makes up the transportation system of the city. Consulting several maps, we finally found the stop nearest our hostel and made it there after two changes on the metro. Dropping off our bags and grabbing some actual maps (we had been using the ones on our phones), we headed off to explore.

First on the list was the enormous and serene (for an urban location) was the Montmarte Cemetery and the Basilica of Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart). Unfortunately, the Basilica was PACKED, it was Good Friday, after all. The rest of the day was spent wandering the city, checking off major sites until we made our way to the Louvre for free admission and extended hours.

It is simple to get lost on the stairways, wings, and limited exhibitions of the museum. We managed to get lost at least once on the way to find the bulletproofed Mona Lisa. Two hours into our visit, we were tired, loopy and ready for a break, but did not want to waste our time in the museum. To combat the fatigue, we invented a game: Caption the art. Filling the rest of our time with jokes about art, we finally found our way out around closing time ready for a good night of rest.

Saturday morning, we walked up to Sacre Coure past Monet’s home, buying a delicious nutella and banana crepe. This time, we managed to walk through the Basilica, despite the area still being incredibly crowded. The rest of the day was filled with delicious baguette sandwiches, the Eiffel Tower, the State Opera House (Phantom of the Opera), some brief shopping.

Sunday was more of the same hallmark Paris sightseeing. From the Champs-de-Elysses, the Arc de Triomphe, the Trocadero Square, the Eiffel Tower, Hotel d’Invalides, the Tuilerie Gardens. While the sights were impressive, I enjoyed simply walking the city away from the sites more than seeing the sights themselves. The city has the typical hustle and bustle of a big city with the feel of a European city. While the residents are cold and a bit rude, they are generally helpful.

Monday (we didn’t have school), we took our time getting out to Versailles. Arriving, we found the lines filling the square in front of the palace, with estimated time of entrance being about four hours from the time we got there… just in time for closing. Disappointed, but not too sad, we explored the rest of the neighborhood and called it a day, heading back to Paris for our night train home via Berlin.

On the night train home, we were in a similar situation as the train there with a cramped compartment (though not nearly as bad). Tired from the walking and sightseeing of the week, I fell asleep almost immediately. Our arrival in Berlin brought me some relief, knowing that I was almost home.

I have found that travel is more work than school. Going to school three days per week is not that difficult, no matter what classes you take. Trying to plan a vacation around train schedules; hostel availability, location and prices; sites to see; and imbibing the culture is not very easy. After our ten-day spring break and this five-day trip to France, I am thoroughly exhausted. The Tuesday after we arrived back in Prague, it was time for a break. Instead of pushing to go somewhere big, we opted to stay in Prague and plan our trip to Denmark. Laying in bed and getting ahead on projects, I am starting to get homesick.

Being in Prague the last two and a half months has been amazing, but I am mentally preparing for the transition back to the states. I miss the dollar, American coins, driving, Mexican food, video games, being able to exercise (other than massive amounts of walking), normal weather, no trains, and food that I recognize.

Paris was an amazing city, and I am so thankful that I was able to re-visit so many great sites. While the city was very tourist oriented, I felt more comfortable in a city that big, with so many things to fill our days. We had (at this point) three more weekend trips before we hunker down for finals. I am excited for our new destinations, but ready to be home, too.

Only a few more weeks until my parents get here, which should be a welcome break from the monotony of the three-day school week.