3 Meals, 3 Nights, 300 dollars

No, This isn't Expedia. It's Paris on a poor student's budget. 

The Great Migration

I realize I'm a bit behind, but I'm in Paris. Bite me. 

On Wednesday, the voyage across the pond began with a bus ride on the grey hound from the ever familiar student center to ORD's Terminal 3. The bus ride was an emotional one for me, and not just because the old lady in front of me smelled like moth balls and rubbing alcohol, but because I think I was experiencing my first wave of real feelings. You see, the one thing that has gotten me through semesters tarnished by genetics, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, etc...was the hope of studying abroad. The opportunity to study abroad was what had motivated me to continue overloading my semesters, attending school throughout the summers and breaks, and missing just about every FrAt party on Fredonia. So when the time finally came, it was incredibly surreal. Like you've been planning for this trip that's never going to happen. Then it does. So, the Greyhound ended up being a spot of rather profound and reflective thought. I could already sense how much I was going to miss my family and friends in a few weeks by the lump that sat in the back of my throat throughout the entire bus ride (you know, the lump you feel when you're about open up the flood gates...or bawl your eyes out). Anyways, no need to bore you with my flight to CDG. It was transcontinental with plenty of sick children and bitter elderly. whatever. Once we had been picked up by our driver and taken to our charming hotel on Rue Pasquier right across the Madeleine, jet lag set in. So before any Mary-Kate and Ashley "Passport to Paris" activities, Morgan and I decided  a two-hour nap was in order. 

Lost in Paris...not as romantic as it sounds

Once we woke up, we decided to go for a "stroll" through Paris. The funny thing about Paris is most people have this idea that all the fabulous monuments and tourist hotpots are all conveniently located around the Eiffel Tower. False. With different neighborhoods in every corner, it took Morgan and I about 5 minutes to realize that we had no idea where we were. Like the north star, however, the Tour Eiffel guided us to the Champs-Elysses. We followed winding cobblestone roads, had a cafe au lait on the way, and finally found the emblem of Paris shining through the fog. It really was one of the most breathe-taking sites, and not just because the cold rain was making it hard to breath. After strolling around and taking pictures from every angle like any Seine-bound tourist should, we followed the illuminated roads of the Champs-Elysses back to the hotel. It only took an hour to realize we were walking in circles, but an hour later we stumbled onto the hotel. Once there Morgan and I decided it was time for our first meal. After having asked the hotel receptionist for his recommendation on a local favorite, we found ourselves at Le Madeleine C. An haute restaurant, charming, with one waiter and about 10 tables. After browsing the menu, we decided that from now on we would have to eat very strategically, making sure to stock up on the complimentary hotel breakfast. However, every euro cent was worth it. For our appetizer, Morgan and I shared a delicious plate of escargot, still boiling in its dish. Never have I tasted so much flavor. Next up was duck thigh and scalloped potatoes. It was like gates of heaven were in my mouth. As if it couldn't get any better, the creme brulee for dessert was quite possibly one of the best desserts I have ever tried. Mind you this meal was washed down with the most delicious, dry, sharp vin rouge de Bordeaux, and that made for a Bonne-Soire!

Who said you can't see Paris in a day?

 With the short trip to Paris half-way over, we decided that today would be spent seeing as much of the city as possible. So we just walked. and walked. and walked. and walked...until we came crawling back to the hotel. Our first stop was the Place de La Concorde (pictures to follow, can't post them all...Internet too slow), beautiful as expected. After walking across the Seine we found ourselves at the Musee D'Orsay. I've always had an appreciation for art, but have never really been a painting enthusiast. You can keep Monet, if I can see McQueen was always my thought. Well, a significant amount of that changed today. It was absolutely surreal viewing original paintings by Van Gogh and Paul Signac. Oh, being single in Paris reaches an all time low when you enter the "Party Room" within the Musee D'Orsay that is exclusively reserved for wedding receptions and other fabulous events for Paris's wealthy. The Ballroom looks like it was once Marie Antoinette's dance spot (think less beheading, more taffeta and gold plated architecture). Nothing I type will do the paintings or sculptures justice, so onto the next spot: Notre Dame de Paris. Notre Dame was absolutely unreal. We were lucky enough to have visit during the 850th anniversary. Just incredible, inside I kept picturing Quasimodo hiding behind the bell tower, or Esmiralda outside doing a little Gypsy dance. I even said a little prayer inside the Cathedral.

After Notre Dame, we sat down for a glass of wine at one of the cutest brasseries in Paris. The waitress was sweet enough to let me use her iPad to "check-in," when I had asked if there was WiFi. We continued onto one of my favorite museums, Le Centre Pompidou. So avant-garde with the exposed tubing and pipework, the abstract fountains in front, and the undoubtedly hipster college students lounging outside, cigarette in hand (naturally). Following Le Centre Pompidou, we ventured to Bastille expecting more than we found, but nevertheless, it led us to the Arab Museum, which is obviously hits close to home. There we saw some incredible artifacts from the Holy Lands as well as incredible exhibitions about the current "Arab Spring." On our way back up the Seine we found Le Musee de Louvre. The pyramid was incredibly beautiful illuminating the park in front of the palace, especially withe the Tour Eiffel twinkling in the background. After our march around Paris, our feet decided it was time to call it a day. The night concluded at Chez Papa, a cute little restaurant with a young atmosphere and delicious food. Naturally, I ordered the escargot, duck, and creme brulee yet again. So with one day and night, and about 50 euros left, I think we'll be able to afford one more meal (hence the clever title).

Now in bed, writing from the hotel, can't help but feel a little like Hemingway as the reality of not returning home for five months starts to sink in. Haven't made it to Denmark yet and already feeling a bit home sick. You can't help but wish that your friends and family were here tasting the food and enjoying the sights with you.

Until next time,

tu sais tu m'aime
xoxo
Allen Abroad

(didn't bother checking for spelling/grammatical errors..too tired)