Since this is my final blog, I want to change it up a bit. The setting is no longer in the United Kingdom but in Paris, France instead – well half of it. Last week, my mum and brother came to visit me. I was counting down the days, hours, and minutes until I could get that opportunity. You never truly understand the value of family until you are far away.
I undoubtedly enjoyed playing tour guide when we were in Nottingham and London. I treasured seeing the expressions on their faces and how much they were enjoying it. Despite the cold, rainy weather that we experienced, along with the stress that comes from being in such a busy city like London, we had a wonderful time and saw quite a bit in 2 days.
Following this trip, we took the Eurostar, a highspeed rail that goes under the English Channel to Paris. This was the first time that any of us had gone to Paris. We didn’t know what to expect because we had heard from so many people that the French were not that friendly. We were so sure that we would be treated poorly because of not being able to speak the language and everyday interactions. When we realized that it wasn’t that way at all I felt guilty. Most, if not all our servers were some of the most attentive and friendliest people we’ve met. It also came to my surprise that most of them, being around my age, spoke not only French but English, Spanish and Portuguese. It made me want to work harder to continue learning French (I started about a month ago.)
Ever since I was a little girl I had a fascination with Paris. My mum would adorn my room with paintings and journals sporting the Eiffel tower. As cheesy as it sounds, the second I saw the Eiffel tower I got very emotional. Rather than taking selfies like so many around me were, I took the time to sit and truly take in the moment. there was so much to see and so little time!
The food and especially the bread was amazing. My brother and I got a bit daring and tried cuisses de grenouille (frog legs) and escargots (snails.) Not as bad as it sounds, I personally quite enjoyed both, my brother however wasn’t a fan of the snails. I suppose that was because of…the appearance of the snail itself.
If you ask me to name one favorite place in each of the cities I visited it would be:
Montmartre in Paris, a historic district where artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Salvador Dali to name a few. While sitting outside a brasserie enjoying your typical wine and bread, you will see how artists are at work; stopping people passing by to take their portrait or listening to musicians play their accordions. It will forever be engraved in my memory.
In London, I would say my favorite place is Portobello Road Market. A picturesque market that opens Monday to Saturday, and is filled with stands of antiques, amazing food, and an amazing ambiance. I spent 2 hours there before I had to leave, I feel like I hadn’t even seen a quarter of it.
I can’t believe it has already been 3 months and that this blog has come to an end. Of course I intend to continue writing my story in my personal journal in hopes that one day I can share it with my own nephews/nieces, children, or grandchildren. To inspire generations not only to follow their dreams and desires, but their hearts as well. Life is beautiful. Why not live your best one by travelling, gaining knowledge, making friends and sharing that life with extraordinary people, allowing yourself to fall in love in every possible way.
Since this is my final blog, I want to change it up a bit. The setting is no longer in the United Kingdom but in Paris, France instead – well half of it. Last week, my mum and brother came to visit me. I was counting down the days, hours, and minutes until I could get that opportunity. You never truly understand the value of family until you are far away.
I undoubtedly enjoyed playing tour guide when we were in Nottingham and London. I treasured seeing the expressions on their faces and how much they were enjoying it. Despite the cold, rainy weather that we experienced, along with the stress that comes from being in such a busy city like London, we had a wonderful time and saw quite a bit in 2 days.
Following this trip, we took the Eurostar, a highspeed rail that goes under the English Channel to Paris. This was the first time that any of us had gone to Paris. We didn’t know what to expect because we had heard from so many people that the French were not that friendly. We were so sure that we would be treated poorly because of not being able to speak the language and everyday interactions. When we realized that it wasn’t that way at all I felt guilty. Most, if not all our servers were some of the most attentive and friendliest people we’ve met. It also came to my surprise that most of them, being around my age, spoke not only French but English, Spanish and Portuguese. It made me want to work harder to continue learning French (I started about a month ago.)
If you ask me to name one favorite place in each of the cities I visited it would be:
Montmartre in Paris, a historic district where artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Salvador Dali to name a few. While sitting outside a brasserie enjoying your typical wine and bread, you will see how artists are at work; stopping people passing by to take their portrait or listening to musicians play their accordions. It will forever be engraved in my memory.
In London, I would say my favorite place is Portobello Road Market. A picturesque market that opens Monday to Saturday, and is filled with stands of antiques, amazing food, and an amazing ambiance. I spent 2 hours there before I had to leave, I feel like I hadn’t even seen a quarter of it.
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