Midnight in Paris

After three days in Paris I have decided that it is my favorite city that I have visited.  I wish I had more time to spend there!  I love Paris so much!  From running around in the pouring rain and eating the most delicious crepes ever, it has been everything I wanted it to be.  It was the perfect way to end our amazing trip.

 

Monday, June 25

Monday was freaking insane! I don’t even know how we saw everything that we did.  We left our hotel at 10:30 am and arrived at our hotel that night at 12:30 am.  We went hard all day (:  Our first stop was the Moulin Rouge.  I was very excited for this because I love this movie so much.  It was everything I pictured it to be.  I wish we would have planned better so that we could have seen a show there but that’s okay. I would love to return with my older sister in the future because she loves Paris.  I thought about her the whole time and just wished that she could have experienced this with me! 

Crazy guy

After the Moulin Rouge we went up to this church named La Basilique de Sacré Coeur de Montmartre, because it has the best view of the city.  We learned about this church from our friend Gabriel, who we actually met in London but lives in Paris.  The church was so beautiful and the view was spectacular; I got chills.  Right in front of the view of the city there is a light post and a man actually climbs up to the top of it and juggles a soccer ball.  It was a little terrifying but amazing; I couldn’t even believe it! 

Once we left this area we went to hit up the Eiffel Tower for round two.  We went to the Eiffel Tower the day before in the pouring rain but decided we had to return when it was sunny.  The area around the Eiffel Tower is so beautiful because it is surrounded by a garden.  Just so you guys are aware the Eiffel Tower in Vegas doesn’t even compare to the real one. 

Round 1

Round 2

   

After the Eiffel Tower we kept on moving and our next stop was Norte Dame.  I’ll be honestly the only reason I was excited about this one was because of the Disney movie, “The Hunchback of Norte Dame.”  When we stepped off of the metro and I only recognized it was because of that movie!  It was the most beautiful cathedral that I have seen so far in Europe.  All around the cathedral there are guards and they are just chilling with their guns!  It was very different to see that.  I wanted a picture with them but I was nervous because they were a little intimidating. 

Norte Dame

From there we ventured to Lover’s Bridge and the real name of it is Pont des Arts.  On our way to it I had a moment where I wanted to be Marilyn Monroe but let’s just say that it ended very badly.  It is not as easy as it looks….  That is all I will say about that haha.  “Lover’s Bridge” is where lovers fasten padlocks to the railings of the Pont des Arts bridge.  The couple then tosses the keys into the Seine River below, which symbolizes their eternal love.  It is such a cute concept and I am a sucker for romance.  This was probably one of my favorite things that we saw.  The bridge is actually right behind the Louvre (which we saw on Sunday) but we headed over there again to see it once more.   Andrea needed to finish her shopping so we went to Champs-Élysées.  IT WAS INSANE.  Seriously, next time I come to Europe I am bringing millions of dollars with me and going shopping there.  I saw the ugliest high heels for 1500 euros! Ridiculous.  We finished walking around the shops and we had to meet our friend, Gabriel for dinner!  He seriously is the nicest guy ever and he helped us out so much this trip. 

Lover's Bridge

Once we meet up with him he showed us the university that he goes to and then he took us to the Luxembourg Gardens.  It was so breathtaking. From there we headed to dinner at this place which is modeled after a medieval dungeon.  The only light we had was the candle light on the table; I was a little creeped out.  I was just waiting for a rat to run across the floor!  However, the food was yummy and the conversation was great. 

We finally learned some helpful French words.  After the most delicious dessert we headed to the Eiffel Tower AGAIN because we had to see it at night.  Every hour the Eiffel Tower lights up and just twinkles for five minutes.  Unfortunately, we barely missed the 10:00 one by two minutes!  We took some fun pictures and then decided that we were going to go up to the top!  It was only 9 euros so of course we had too.  The first part you can choose whether you want to take an elevator or climb up the stairs.  We decided to take the stairs which was exhausting.  There are three levels to the tower: the first one has gifts and restaurants, the second has gifts and tickets and then the third is the very top.  When we got to the second level it was time to take the elevator up to the very top.  I wasn’t nervous until we actually stepped onto the elevator and started to go up.  The view was so beautiful, I can’t even describe it.  My hands and feet were sweating so badly though.  Finally, we reached the top and I could breathe again haha.  Once you reach the top you climb up one more flight of stairs and you can see everything.  I am so glad we decided to go at night because it was gorgeous and very romantic (:   On our way down the stairs it was 11:50 and the lights turned on in ten minutes.  We seriously sprinted down all the flights of stairs so we could see it in time.  It looked light a giant twinkling Christmas tree; it was soooooooo stunning.

*yopo:  you only Paris once

  This picture isn't the best but it gets the point across.

Bonjour.

No hablo frances.

Well, it has happened again..  Our first day in a new city was pretty much a disaster haha.  It wasn't really that bad but it was so exhausting and interesting.  To start the day off right we had to catch a bus at 6:30 this morning.  Summer was going to get a cab and then pick me up at my house at 6:00.  I waited until 6:10 and still no Summer, so finally I just made the decision to go to the bus station without her because I didn't know what else to do.  I had no way of contacting her because my Spanish cell phone belonged to my host mom and I had to give it to her before I left.  I was walking to the main road with all my freaking luggage and seriously no cabs in site, which is very ironic because they are a MILLION taxis in Oviedo.  But of course when I actually need one I can't get one.  I was pretty much almost there and finally I saw a taxi and got in.  I arrived at the bus station at 6:20 and Andrea just looks at me and says, "where is summer?"  So we waited until 6:30 and we just had to leave without Summer....

Thankfully we had wifi on the bus so Summer messaged me and let me know that she slept in and that she caught the bus at 7:30.  We had a flight at 2:40 and she would be arriving to Madrid at 1:00 and had to take a taxi to the airport so she was cutting it close.  Andrea and I had a good ride on the bus because it had tv's for each person and we were served all this food!  I watched One Day and Rio in Spanish (:

We arrived at the airport and got all settled in and just waited at our gate to see if Summer would make it in time.  Finally, I heard Summer say "hola chicas guapas."  I was very relieved to have everyone together again.  The flight was very uneventful and we arrived safely in Paris.  The airport was so laid back and chill.

We took the train to the stop which we thought was our hotel location.  We meet this cute old couple from San Diego and they helped us know which stop to get off at.  We transferred trains and arrived at our location... or so we thought.  We seriously walked around for twenty minutes trying to figure out where to go from there.  We wanted to get a cab so we could just go straight to our hotel.  I seriously felt like I was in a completely new world because we couldn't understand anyone.  I have never felt like that. 

Long story short we ended up walking around for FOUR hours before we got to our hotel.  Apparently there are no cabs in the area we are staying!  You need a number to call the taxi and they will pick you up, but no one here knows the freaking number!  We talked to three different people and they all told us different things about where to go for our hotel.  Finally, I found a taxi and we jumped in and finally got to the hotel. 

We were so exhausted.

I seriously lugged around a 50 pound bag and then a 30 pound duffle bag.  I wanted to die, my hands are so sore from holding my luggage and my arms as well.  Our hotel is so tiny but it is so perfect for us.  I really love it because it is cozy and super clean.  We settled in and then went to the grocery store to buy some food.  I cannot wait to get some sleep tonight since I slept three hours last night. Tomorrow we are going site seeing and I am pumped!!

Crackas in Paris

Our cute little room



Bittersweet Goodbye.

No es adiós, es hasta luego.

So today is my last day in Oviedo and I am so sad!  Lets just say there has been a lot of tears today.   I have grown to love this city and I am sad to leave behind my home away from home.  I will be returning here soon.  I can't believe that I have been here for five weeks; I feel like I just got here!  I have had such a great experience here and I have learned so much about myself. 

It is so funny to think back five weeks ago and what I wanted to achieve here in Spain.  Well first off, I was hoping I would be fluent in Spanish... HAHA  I definitely am not, but I can understand almost everything and can speak way better.  I will get there eventually!  That was the main goal of this trip but once I got here I realized that there was so much more to this trip.  I have met so many new people and have been exposed to different cultures. I have tried foods that I would have never tried in my life before this.  I have seen places in the world that some people will never have the chance to see.  I love my Spanish music even more now and I can actually order food in Spanish (:

Today we had our graduation ceremony and then a goodbye party after and it was so bittersweet.  Tears and laughs. I honestly cried like a little baby at some moments though.  Before the ceremony they gave out random funny awards and of course, my friends and I got the "best dancers award."

(or the most embarrassing/funniest dancers)

After the awards, we presented our teachers with gifts from each class and this was my favorite part.  I love my Spanish Professor so much, she is adorable.  She started crying before I did!  She was so appreciative of her gift.  I am a little biased, but I honestly had the best Spanish class here.  We are all friends and have learned so much together. 

Our little graduation ceremony was so cheesy, but of course, I loved it!  We got our own little certificate and you know I will keep that forever.  The room that we had graduation in was the same room that we meet on the first day of school.  Thinking back to the first day, I didn't know anyone in the room and I couldn't understand anything because it was all in Spanish.  Then, today I know everyone there and I love them so much.  Plus, I could understand everything!

To end "graduation" the Director of the Program, Tim, (who was my Spanish professor for two semesters back in Utah) gave a speech.  It was very heart felt.  It was funny because everything he said I had experienced here or felt.  The speech was very emotional and everyone was tearing up at this point.  Now that I think back to the speech it is hard to remember what he said exactly but I can remember my feelings perfectly. 

This whole experience has been so amazing!!  I am so glad that I took a chance and came here.  Oviedo is my home and I love this place.  I love the Spanish people and I have made last friendships with them.  At the graduation one of the students said to the professor, "adiós" and the teacher said, "no es adiós, es hasta luego."  I loved this because it doesn't mean we are saying goodbye forever, just for a little bit. 

Goodbye Oviedo, you will always hold a piece of my heart! Now, lets bring on the next adventure....

PARIS!!!

The picture I got of all our class together kinda sucked so its seperated by boys and girls.. 

All of our professors who made this possible, big thanks!

Cute Concha!

These are my host parents, it has been very interesting with them...  My mom is a little crazy and would get mad about simple stuff so sometimes we butt heads.  I am very appreciative of her though! The dad didn't talk much but he was funny.  My mom would just get mad at him and he would look at me and laugh.. He is a good guy!  My mom is 81 years old and my dad is 85. 

THEY ARE ANCIENT. 

awkwardfamilyphoto.com

Ultima Entrada

Yo no sé donde empezar.  Bueno… ¡Primero, me encanta España! He aprendido mucho en España, pero es muy difícil para describir.   He aprendido mucho español, por supuesto. 

Mi primer día en España, yo recuerdo que no pude aún orden comida en el restaurante.  Quería llorar después de comer  y no tenía idea qué esperar por las próximas cinco semanas.  Ahora, puedo orden comida fácilmente.  Puedo entender muchas personas ahora pero todavía es difícil hablar con otros.  A mi me gusta mucha mi clase de español y también mi profesora.  Ha sido muy divertido pero todavía aprender mucho. 

Aquí en Oviedo he hecho muchos nuevos amigos.  Yo sé que he hecho amigos de por vida. ¡Me encantan todos del grupo de Utah!  Mi madre de acogida es muy diferente; no sé cómo me siento de su.  ¡Ella tiene 81 anos y mi padre tiene 85 anos! 

Mi excursión favorito fue el sábado pasado cuando nos fuimos en canoa.  ¡También, fue muy divertido cuando fuimos a discotecas con Tim todo la noche!  He aprendido mucha sobra la cultura española.  Me gusta mucho el horario de los españoles; será difícil regresar a mi horario en los estados unidos.  Estoy triste salir de España, pero estoy muy feliz que yo tuve la oportunidad de venir aquí.   

Adiós España :(

Voy a volver.

 

¡Anoche fui a un restaurante con mi clase de español y fue muy divertido!

Last Excursion

Today was our last excursion and it was the best one we have had.  We started off by going to a church, San Julian de los Prados, which was built in the first part of the 9^th century.  The church was very beautiful; the restoration for the church was completed in 1984.  We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the church or else I would be posting them. 

After the church we had a decision to make.  It had been rainy and cloudy all day but the plan was to go canoeing down the Sella River.  So the director of the group asked us what we wanted to do and of course everyone agreed that we still wanted to go canoeing! 

After the two hour bus ride we arrived at the river and it wasn’t raining, which we were very happy about!  We started on the river and it was SO BEAUTIFUL.  It was perfect; we were in the mountains surrounded by all this green and all my friends.  On our way down the river we made a pack of canoes and just let the current take us down stream.  Then, we reached a good place with rocks and we stopped and ate our lunch.  The lunch was interesting just like all the food I’ve had in Spain.  Once we started down the river again it started to pour rain!  I enjoyed it though because I love the rain.  This time we paddled the whole time until we finished.  I was feeling pretty good because I had a wet suit on, which I looked completely ridiculous in haha. 

The day was so perfect and it is hard to put it into words.  I am so sad that this is my last Saturday here in Oviedo, next Saturday I will be arriving in Paris (which is pretty cool too haha).  I am pretty excited for tonight as well.  Our professor, who is the director of the program, told us that he would take us to the best discotecas and clubs in Oviedo and then if we last until the morning he will buy us all breakfast.  He is great.  I love Spain so much and am so happy I had this opportunity to travel here.  I truly am blessed.

Our Sexy Wetsuits

Matching Shoes

This is me and my adorable Spanish teacher!  She is one of the best teachers I have had.  I love her so much!  Her name is Concha and she is a sweetheart.  She was so nervous for this excursion but I am pretty sure she enjoyed herself, even though she got stuck in the rocks a few times (:  I keep telling Tim that they need to move Concha to Utah so she can be my Spanish teacher in the fall.

*Please excuse my English, the more I study Spanish the worse it gets.

Fin de Semana Libre

¡Barcelona!

Este fin de semana fui a Barcelona con mis amigos: Heather, Summer y también Andrea.  Cuando llegamos al aeropuerto, encontramos que Andrea no tuve el vuelo correcto.  Andrea tuve estar en el aeropuerto todo el día y ella llegó a nuestro hostel a las once de la noche.  Cuando nosotros llegamos en Barcelona, fuimos a la playa todo el día.  Conocimos muchas personas en la playa.  La playa fue muy bonita y la gente en la playa tomó al sol sin traje de baño de la parte superior.  ¡Es muy diferente! Esa noche fuimos a un club cerca de la playa con otros amigos de Utah.  Por desgracia, la noche terminó con una pelea.  Al día siguiente eramos turistas.  Tomamos un autobús por la ciudad.  Nosotros visitamos La Sagrada Familia y El Museo del Fútbol.  También fuimos de compras en la ciudad, por supuesto.  Esa noche tuvimos una fiesta en nuestro hostel con los chicos de Utah.  Luego, fuimos a la playa y miramos la salida del sol.  También, nadamos en el mar muy temprano por la mañana.  El mismo día fuimos a la playa una vez más.  Esa noche fuimos al aeropuerto y fue muy divertido porque todo los personas de Utah quien fue a Barcelona fue en el mismo vuelo. ¡Me encanta Barcelona!

Heather sacó este foto

Mi sitio favorito que vi en Barcelona fue El Museo del Fútbol. Que era caro, entonces no tuvimos la gira, pero un día voy a ver un partido de allí.

Barcelona: June 8 - June 10

Barcelona is by far my favorite city I have been visited!  It was so great.  It is funny how all Spanish cities are similar but can be completely different at the same time.  In Barcelona the official government language is Catalan so every sign is in Catalan and Spanish.  Catalan is so similar to Spanish.  However, most of the people there just speak Spanish so I don't understand why Catalan is even a language haha.  The city has a tourist feel to it but I loved it still.

The first day there we spend the day at the beach and it was beautiful.  Everyone is so chill in Europe and so most of the ladies there were topless; it is just the way of life there.  I was a little nervous to travel to Barcelona after the pick-pocketing disaster for me in Madrid but I didn't have any problems there.  Our hostel that we stayed in was fabulous.  We had our own room for the four of us and then we had a dining room, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a cute deck and patio! 

Our room before

Our room after

That night we explored the night life of Barcelona and like everywhere in Spain the night life is crazy!  It is normal for people in Spain to stay out until 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning! They go hard there (:  we ended up at this club that was near the beach.  My friend and I talked to the bouncer for a little bit in our broken Spanish and he ended up letting our whole group of about 10 in for free, I am not gonna lie I felt pretty cool haha.  Our group was really cool because everyone was watching out for each other.  We had three guys with us and they kept watching out for us.  Unfortunately there were a few guys who kept creeping on some girls in our group and they were really drunk.  They kept coming up to the same girl so she told one of the guys and they stepped in to be the "pretend boyfriend."  Our professor here told them to do that if one of the girls were in a bad situation but to make a long story short the four drunk guys started a fight with our guy friends.  We all left the club after and headed home.  We are so lucky though that nothing worse happened.  One of our friends got a black eye and his face is beaten up but he is doing fine.  I am just so glad they didn't have a knife or anything!!

Our cute view from the deck.

On Saturday we took a double decker bus and just toured the city!  We didn't have a lot of time there so we went to the places we knew we all wanted to see first.  I definitely want to return to Barcelona because I felt like we didn't have enough time to see everything. 

Casa Batllo Gaudi  



Sagrada Familia



 

This place is so breathtaking.  Honestly, a picture does not do it any justice.  This building was Gaudi's masterpiece and it is still in construction. He died while working on this and they continue to build it.  Next time I come here I have to go inside.  I saw some pictures of my friends who went inside and it was remarkable.  The line to go inside was insane and we needed more time there.

Next, we went to the museum of Barcelona FC.  It is the largest soccer stadium in Europe.  Of course, you have to pay a crap ton of money to go on a tour in there so we just walked around there.  If anyone loves me they will take me to a game there and the tour as well(: 

That night we went out to dinner with the boys and just chilled in our hostel.  At about five in the morning we headed to the beach and watched the sunrise which was a great way to end our last night there.  On Sunday we headed to the beach one last time and then sadly had to return to Oviedo that night!  I had a great time in Barcelona but some of our friends there had a lot of stuff stolen from them and I felt horrible.  I am so blessed that we were safe this weekend and we enjoyed ourselves.  The worse thing that happened to us was some sunburns.  Two girls had their passports stolen and weren't able to fly home because you have to have a passport on this airline, so they took a 10 hour train ride home.  Another girl booked the wrong flight and was only there for 24 hours.  You just have to roll with the punches though.