Inside Student Blogs48 Hours in ParisBarcelona, Spring 2012
This past weekend I went to probably the #1 tourist spot in Europe… Paris. None of the vacations I have taken over here disappoint and Paris was no exception. Every semester numerous study abroad students venture over to France to get a taste of this romantic and intriguing city. I actually did not think I would be able to see Paris during my time abroad. It did not really fit into my already busy travel schedule. I figured it was the one place I am positive I would visit somewhere in the future. However, when two of my friends booked an impromptu trip and the tickets were shockingly cheap, it was an opportunity I could not pass up. We had exactly 48 hours in Paris but quickly realized that a short trip was definitely worth it.
I think we did a pretty sufficient job of seeing and experiencing a good portion of Paris given our limited time. Technically we did not go “inside” any of the sites, but this was okay with me because instead I had time to soak in the city. We walked past the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and Arc de Triomphe. I strolled along the Champs-Élysées and window shopped while dreaming of everything I would buy if my funds were unlimited! Of course we visited the Eiffel Tower… three times. The first time we paid to walk up as many flights of stairs as our legs would permit (because the line for the lifts would have taken hours). The views overlooking Paris are gorgeous. Later at night we returned with wine and an hour of spare time to sit and watch the Eiffel Tower light up and sparkle as dusk turned to night. Our third trip there was Sunday because all of the shops in Paris were mostly closed down so we figured why not go back again!
Of course in Paris we had to do a little shopping. There are numerous little boutiques and shops to cater to all your interests. The food in Paris is pretty phenomenal too. If you particularly are a fan of wine, cheese, bread, and crepes than Paris will basically be like heaven. The only challenging thing about France was that my friends and I know zero French. Literally I can say thank you and goodbye. After those two phrases I am completely clueless. Not many people will speak English and most of the menus were in French as well. We did a lot of guessing when ordering at restaurants and making our way around town. Everything turned out fine though so I guess we did not do too badly!
My final thoughts on Paris? Go. It is a tourist trap for a reason and was one of my favorite trips so far. Although I only had a short time there I already cannot wait to return! Just to get in one of the only French sayings I know… au revoir!
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