We found out on Monday that we were having a 5 day weekend so we told our host families and, per usual, they came through for us and made this amazing weekend possible. Natalie's host family (who I am also very close with and adore) told us they had a daughter living in Paris and although we never met her, she called her up and asked if we could stay with her for the weekend and she said yes. She was also coming to Clermont on Sunday anyways so she gave us a ride home. When I told my host family, my host cousin called his mom who lives in Versailles to see if she could pull any strings for a special tour at the palace since she goes there all the time. She ended up reserving our tickets of entry and paying for Natalie and I to take a special tour of the King's private rooms that are not open to the public. The entire weekend was one wonderful experience after the other, all made possible due to the generous hearts of our french families. It was so humbling and so wonderful.
When we arrived on Friday, Natalie's host sister had prepared dinner for us and took us out to a bar with some of her friends. We got to see Paris a bit through the eyes of a true Parisian, not just like the tourists we are. We only had 3 days in Paris, but we made the most of them. The first day, we went to the pyramide of the Louvre and ran to Musee d'Orsay. Musee d'Orsay is AMAZING. I remember when the DIA had one Van Gogh and it was such a big deal. Here, there are paintings by him everywhere you look. Pictures you have seen thousands of times in magazines and books, right in front of you. There were also paintings by Renoir, Monet, etc. A few months ago when we went to Monet's gardens, I stood on the exact bridge that is in the painting I was able to see. It was surreal. The next day we went on our special tour of Versailles, learning things like the King's schedule which included going to the bathroom in front of a window so all of the King's court could see that he was in good health. After we went to Notre Dame and Shakespeare and Company (the coolest bookstore EVER) and had a wonderful dinner and drinks. The last day, we walked around the Champs Elysees and saw L'arc de Triomphe. Finally, we went to Saint Chappelle, a Cathedral with walls made almost entirely of stained glass. If I had only been able to see one of these things, it would've been enough. But being in Paris, seeing the pictures of my history books come to life. It still hasn't fully sunken in... Plus I got to do all of these wonderful things with my best friend.
Though each part was wonderful in its own way, I'd have to say the highlight of my weekend was the first night. Natalie and I walked along the iconic Seine to the Eiffel Tower at around 6:45. It was lit up, but not sparkling yet. The grandeur of the Eiffel Tower is incredible. We didn't know when the tower would start sparkling, but we thought probably at 7. So we just sat and took it in for 15 minutes until 6:59 when I asked Natalie what time it was and it began sparkling. I literally screamed. Like a terrified scream. It was so magnificent I couldn't help myself. I have seen the Eiffel Tower before, I have even climbed it, but I have only seen it lit up from a distance. Being right in front of it and watching it transform into this dazzling magnificent thing is something I will never forget. There are few things in life greater than watching the Eiffel Tower light up with your best friend.
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