Michele's Melodramatic Memoirs: Europe 2011: Paris, France

Travel Companions: Two coworkers, Abbey and Bambi

Total Trip Time: 3 days (technically 2.5 because we got in at 12pm on the first day)

Hotel Accommodations: Tim Hotel Berthier Boulevard (northwest of the city center). The sleeping quarters were very small for three people, and the bathroom was quite spacious.

First thing we did in Paris: We stopped off in a café and bought some sandwiches. We took our first trip on the very extensive Paris Metro to the Eiffel Tower. Once there, we ate lunch, had crepes, and rode the elevator up to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Other Activities during the trip: We visited Saint Michel Cathedral, toured the Cathedral of Notre Dame, explored the Louvre (saw the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo), hiked up the mountain to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, walked down the Avenue des Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, toured the Catacombs, saw the Le Moulin Rouge, and journeyed to the Chateau of Versailles on the outskirts of town.

Favorite starter: Escargot (snails). I think I got Abbey hooked J

Favorite meal: Our first dinner in Paris we ate at a place called ABC near our hotel. I got escargot, the recommended dish (not sure what it was), and a chocolaty dessert.

Favorite dessert: Oh gosh, there were so many. One time we ordered 3 desserts, one espresso, and 4 cappuccinos for snack time. They consisted of a strawberry and custard-type dessert, an apricot pie of sorts, and a slice of chocolate cake. YUM! But of course, nutella crepes were the bomb-diggity.

Best thing about Paris: We loved the Toilettes on the street. Stores and restaurants do not allow you to use their restrooms unless you are a customer, so the public toilettes were quite handy and sanitary. Also, the Metro covered everywhere for very fast and efficient travel.

Worst thing about Paris: Many of the streets are cobblestone and walking around was difficult, tiresome, and quite painful at times.

Recommended Dos: I recommend you try the awesome sandwiches from the cafés, buy some macaroons, and buy a Paris Combopass for use on the Metro, Buses, and RER trains.

Recommended Don’ts: We got lost on the buses for hours (literally 4 hours), so I don’t recommend the buses.

Last Thing we did in Paris: Ate dinner near the Eiffel Tower to view it sparkle at night. Abbey and I drank some wine, got tipsy, and started dancing around the Eiffel Tower in circles.

Common Misconceptions of Paris: the Parisians aren’t actually rude; they just expect you to move at a faster pace. Also, the majority of the people speak French! Duh! So, if you are visiting Paris, don’t expect anyone to know any English. There was a definite communication barrier at times.

Favorite Memory of Paris: riding the Metro back to our hotel at 1 am and having a street performer bust out Toni Braxton’s song “Un-Break My Heart” in ENGLISH!! Abbey, Bambi, and I were the only people singing along with her and breaking it down on the Metro.