The Archemist: January 2014

After Ireland I jetsetted over to Paris, France. Now you should know that I have been here before, however experiencing the city at 15 on a school trip is an entirely different feel. I took four years of french in school, and also had a Paris obsession. On my first trip I had stars in my eyes and had a great time hitting every major attraction, but I was more interested in chatting with my friends and talking about a cute boy, than going inside my fifteenth church in a week. I confess I took maybe a hundred photos my whole European trip last time, so this time I made sure to not make the same mistake... for my Mom's sake. It also rained the entire time. Needless to say, I was very excited to go back to this city alone and truly appreciate its beauty. Ironically, it also rained the entire time. Since I had been to many of the museums before, my plan was to see the sights, but also take the time to relax and soak up the culture. And I did.

I stayed at a minimalist hostel that still had a comfy atmosphere in the bohemian district of Montmartre. Despite the cold and rainy weather I had a fantastic self-guided tour taking photos all over Paris. My second day I decided to café hop. This day was mostly successful until a typical cliché moment with a rude French man... As I sat near the Louvre museum on a bright overcast day looking through my Paris pocket book for my next café, when a french man walking by confronted me.

He said "Do you speak english?!"

...in my head I wanted to say, "Nein, nein, nein"

but instead I said "Yes."

He then said, "And what country are you from?!"

...in my head I wanted to say, "Australia ! Canada!"
but instead I said, "the US."

unto which he said "Of course! This is why you looked at me paranoid! If you are so unhappy here then go back to your own country."

Needless to say, I was very upset and I walked around stewing for an hour where I came up with the best responses... of course after the fact. C'est la vie!

Sacre Coeur

Arc de Triomphe

Le Grand Palais

Le Petit Palais

Walk towards Les Invalides

Les Invalides building

Le Seine

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

This Ferris Wheel marks the end of Champs-Élysées at the Seine River, and begins the walk through the garden towards le Louvre

Me in front of le Louvre

Love Locks

Love locks are a famous tradition across Europe - and even the globe - however Paris might be the most famous. Tradition says if you write lovers' initials on a lock, attach it to a bridge, and throw the key into the river to symbolize unbreakable love.

In Paris I did not want to miss my chance to express my cheesy side, so I participated in the love lock tradition!

French book sellers line the West Bank of the Seine

Notre Dame

Point Zero or Kilometer Zero is that location chosen in a city that all distances are measured from. This small octagonal brass plate set in the ground is considered the official center of Paris and, as mentioned, it marks the exact spot from which all distances throughout France are measured (in relation to Paris).

Inside Notre Dame

Joan of Arc inside Notre Dame

Lighting a candle and thinking about my amazing Nana

Note the flying buttresses of Notre Dame

L'Eiffel Tower

A dark photo of me and the Eiffel tower

Montmarte district

Moulin Rouge

Père Lachaise Cemetery

I went to this cemetery to honor the man himself, Jim Morrison. I truly had no idea how beautiful a cemetery can be. I also had no idea how BIG a cemetery can be. If I didn't fear losing any body parts to hypothermia I could have spent all day in this cemetery just myself and a camera. This is another instance where I could not choose a few favorite photos, so therefore have included most.