So far i have returned to Paris and Prague. Both cities are so amazing. And i saw a different side of them this time around. I am not sure if it is because of who i was with in each city, or different time of the year or what. But it was great.
I returned to Paris this time around with friends that i grew up with in Long Island, NY, Allie, Mehgan, Nikki. We had a great time. the girls arrived the 2 nights before me and checked out the Eiffel Tower and the Louve and waited for me to revisit the Museum de Orsay, my most favorite museum in the world (to date).. all my boyfriends are there, Renoir, Monet, Manet, the list can go on!! the Impressionist Period is my love. It was wonderful. You literally get lost in those paintings.
Later that day we headed to Notre Dame, which i saw from the outside last time, but was able to actually go INSIDE this time around. And i am not kidding you at all when i say, i cried the second i walked in there. I don't really know how to explain it, but a warm feeling came over me and lasted the entire time i was inside, as if my mom and everyone else that has passed reached down and gave me a hug. it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and something i will NEVER forget. And the weird thing is that Allie & Nikki said they had a similar feeling and non of us are super religious.
Anyway, that night we climbed somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 steps, on the tightest stairwell to the top of the Arch de Triumph. Quite a nice view at night, especially of the Eiffel Tower with its lights show. Then enjoyed an pretty amazing dinner on the Champs Elysees. We chatted the night away, enjoyed a few bottles of wine and people watched on the best street for it! So fun!
The following morning we were on a time limit as the girls were flying back to London and i was taking the train about an hour after them. So, we decided to head up the hill and see the Basilique du Sacre-Coeu (Sacred Heart Church). We climbed over 200 steps up the hill to reach the church. Which is beautiful and has a great view of Paris, but definitely did not have the religious experience like at Notre Dame. After we circling the church for 20min, we finally found the entrance to climb to the top of the Dome. Lordy, those stairs were actually not as bad as the Arch de Triumph, but wow, there were a lot of them! Unfortunately, when we got to the top, the haze in the air made it difficult to see the rest of Paris, but it was still quite an amazing view. And on the way back down the stair, a pigeon was in the stairwell with us, at first he was nice and showing us the way down, then he try to fly inside the stairwell, and screams that came out of our mouths were hysterical.. I don't think i have laughed that hard in ages!! it was probably one of the funniest things ever!
Once we finally made it to the ground level, we continued our way down Montmarte Hill, which has the Greatest little cafes and absolutely amazing artists all sitting around a square painting and drawing way. it is breathtaking. and of course Moulin Rouge!!
WIth one more yummy lunch, we were on our way! The girls collected they belongings at the hotel and headed to the airport. i on the other hand had about an hour to kill, so i just started to roam the streets.. after about 20min or so, i stopped to sit on a deserted park bench and jot in my diary and fiddle with my ipod. Now, i must have been really into what i was writing or listening to, because all the sudden i look up and i am surrounded by a SEA of people on rollerblade/rollerskates! and i mean i did not hear any of them!! crazy, because there thousands!! Unreal... so i asked a nice guy who was sitting next to me about it and he said that every friday night and sunday afternoon paris shuts down and there is a police escort for any and all skaters to skate through paris! friday night, he said, is usually for the more experienced skaters. But when i tell you there were 3-4yr olds skating as well as people that looked well into there 60s & 70s! it was crazy and super cool! Next time i am in paris, i am definitely going to give that a try!
Anyway.... i made my way back to London and met up with the girls. I took them to a local PUB near there hotel and told Nikki & Mehgan they had to either have a "PIE" or "FISH N CHIPS" since had never been here before and the chose the fish and chips and loved it!
The next morning, before the girls headed back home, we headed to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards, Abbey Road to see the Beatles famous record Album cover and then off to YO SUSHI for some fun sushi!!
It was an absolutely great visit all around! love you girls!!
