--Thursday, February 23rd--
I have Italian from 9-10:15 am on Tues/Thurs so both Alex and I had to head straight from Italian to the train station in order to get on a train to take us to Pisa to make our flight at 2:45pm. Considering neither Alex and I had taken a train before, we were a little stressed out about timing. We ended up getting to Santa Maria Novella (the name of the train station in Florence) at 10:57am...just in time to make the 11 am train to Pisa. The train was direct, so it only stopped once and we got to the airport by noon. Our flight was an hour behind, which was not super fun so by the time we got to Paris, we were a little irritated. Irritation quickly turned into confusion because we had no idea how to get from the airport to our hotel. We figured out how to get there, so I asked the man working the ticket booth for the tram/metro if he spoke english (in French) and he responded (in French) saying that he only spoke Chinese. I continued to speak in English and asked for two tickets and he laughed and said (in English) "I said I only speak Chinese!!" I was thankful that he was nice and funny, definitely made me feel more comfortable not having any idea how we were going to get to our hotel.
Once we got to the metro station, Alex and I jumped on and off trains unsure if it was the right one or not....after about 20 mins we realized that they were all the same...oops. We finally got to our hotel..two hours after landing but we were so excited to finally be at our home base for the weekend and looked forward to meeting up with my friend Aisha from high school who is currently studying at the American University, Paris. Aisha took us to dinner at Tribeca and then we all got bottles of really cheap 'sparkling wine' (the French only call Champagne, champagne, it if is from the Champagne region) and walked over to...the Eiffel Tower. I cried, a little...mostly on the inside..but regardless I was in shock. I could not believe that I had finally made it to the city of my dreams and I was standing in front of a landmark that covers the walls of my room back in the U.S. It was a perfect place to turn 21 :]
--MY BDAY! Fri. Feb 24th--
Cannot believe that I turned 21 in Paris of all places! Such a blessing, I wished that everyone I loved was there to celebrate with me. Today I went to the Notre Dame and it was just as beautiful in person. (running joke about the Notre Dame..."I returned home"...in reference to the hunchback and my gimp eye) I met up with two of my sorority sisters who were also in Paris for the weekend, they are studying in London. It was a joy to be able to spend the day with people from home. We all went inside the cathedral and I just about died when I looked up. The stain glass windows were the most stunning pieces I have seen. After the Notre Dame, I had a mission: to find this bridge covered in locks and place a lock on it for my father and I. It is difficult to explain and for many to understand but I do love my father and I am very proud to have both of the parents that I do because they have each taught me very valuable life lessons. My mother is a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman who I greatly respect and admire, even if I am very emotional and irrational with her at time. She has taught me the importance of drive, self-motivation and that overcoming adversity is always a better option than succumb to it. My father has taught me the importance of listening to my heart, being loyal to those who love you the most and to never stop fighting for what I believe in. I have learned that close relationships are what get us through the good times but more importantly the bad. It is really painful for me to live without him, I understand that we all make mistakes in life and that we have to live with the consequences of our actions, but he has missed out on a lot of important life events, so that is why this little mission he gave me meant the world to me. I was able to include him in my study abroad experience. I am lucky enough to skype my grandparents, facebook chat my nana, see my aunt Jenna in a few days and my mom is coming to visit in a few weeks! All he has are my blog posts, but now he also has this lock. Hopefully someday we both can go back to Paris and see it. I hope everyone can find and appreciate the beauty in that, life has not been easy for all of us, but the only way to move forward is to forgive each other of our trespasses and be thankful that we are all alive, healthy and I am accomplishing my dreams because of each of you. I had crepes in Paris, walked through the gardens in front of the Louvre, down the Champs-Elysse to the Arc de Triumph and back to the Eiffel Tower. I honestly could not have done any of that if it weren't for my family. I had the greatest birthday because of all the years you all have dedicated to giving me the best life possible. I have learned something valuable from each of you and I am forever grateful for that.
For dinner, I ate at Cafe Central with Aisha and Alena (my other best friend from high school also studying there). I had the most amazing meal of my life...chicken with creamy risotto. Seriously, I would fly back to Paris to eat it again.
--Saturday, 25th--
Another splendid day in this amazing city. I had breakfast at this place called La Marine. I had a ham & cheese omelette, croissant, coffee, and orange juice. The coffee was amazing (thank you Grandpa for telling me to get it) From there, we walked back down Rue de Rennes (our hotel's street) and I bought myself a birthday present (a watch). Bon anniversaire a moi! Then, we went to the Sacre Coeur which is a beautiful white church on top of a hill that overlooks the city. It was just as gorgeous on the inside, obviously every church is stunning, and I bought a few people some presents :]. The area the church is in was very San Fran-esque. Cute buildings, hills, great food and shops. After, we tried to go to the Musse d'Orsay but the line was an hour long and I wanted to walk around more, so I guess I'll just have to go back :]. So, unfortunately we just walked down the Seine river and had lunch (please note the sarcasm, the Seine is gorgeous). I had a croque monsieur, delicious and we then went to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. A place that was frequented by Hemingway and other famous writers. I bought a book, of course, have to remember it somehow! It started to rain so we went back to the Hotel to change and figure out dinner plans. We met up with Alena and Aisha again and had sushi. SO GOOD! It was nice to be in a city with a diversity in cuisine.
After dinner, the magic happened...I accomplished a true dream of mine and I walked to the second floor (top was closed) of the Eiffel Tower. The man at security claimed that I was too beautiful to be French and that I must be American...in all honesty I think it was my childish giddiness about climbing a metal landmark that gave me away. Regardless, I had a very surreal moment when I finally reached the top. 669 steps and a dream was accomplished. I made it, to a city I have always dreamt of visiting. To a place a never thought I'd see. I was so happy that I swear I could fly. I had the greatest weekend of my life and a birthday I will never forget. I will continue to dream, simply so I can accomplish them.
Before I left for Florence, my little Madison told me 'carpe diem, seize every moment Brittany and accomplish your dreams because right now it is about you. Live it up because soon you will be back at home wishing you could go back, so don't for a moment stop. Have faith in your own life and tackle everything that you can'.
I did. 669 steps. A lock.
Thank you everyone for the love and support. I wouldn't have made it to the top of that tower without it.
Ciao.
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