Ryoko: January 2011

I know its been such a long time since I've updated but it got so hectic with being home for break and coming back right into exams! I'll be trying to update more frequently now especially with so many exciting trips coming up in the next few months (Brussels/scotland in February; Rome/Nice/Austria/Berlin in April; Paris(again!)/Prague/Turkey/Vienna/Marseille in June!) I should have a lot to write about! I'm done with exams until late May and I don't go more than 30 days now without a break! I'll be trying to spend more time in Brighton and London this term and hopefully I'll be exploring some other parts of England with the ESU kids in March!
Just before Christmas, I travelled to Paris with my mum and sister for a week. After staying with a french friend for one night, I met up with Mum and Meg and we ate a lot of good food, stayed in a beautiful hotel, and I spoke lots of french! Paris was beautiful and vibrant and lively. A fashion capital of Europe, known for its cuisine artistry, and filled with historic landmarks, we definitely made the most of our time. However, we did have one small complaint. The weather was horrible! While not nearly as bad as it appears the American News was making it out to be, we did spend the bulk of our time sliding around wet slushy streets under cloudy grey skies. Also, we didn't get up to the top of the Eiffel tower (not that I was heartbroken by that :D) because they sold out of tickets! Don't worry though, Mum is taking me back in May and she'll make me go up then! I have lot's of pictures from Paris so the second half of this post will just be photos photos photos!
One of the best things about Paris was the food. After months of eating boiled vegetables and toast, sitting down in a nice restaurant and eating a cheese souffle, or a large plate of pasta, or a vegetarian lasagna nearly sent me into grateful hysterics (even if our waiter was a jerk...)! We went to a dessert cooking class and learned how to make all sorts of french desserts! We made madeleines, tarte au citron, meringues, pate a choux, pate sucre, creme patisserie, and we even got to brulee some creme (pictures will ensue)! The food was delicious and now we have some handy new french recipes (that we learned in france! How many 18 year old Americans can say that?)
It was also really cool to spend the day with my friend. As much as I love my mum and sister and I was so glad to see them, I really got to practice my french staying with her and her family and going out with her friends. We went to a cafe and although I mostly just listened because my french is not nearly as good as theirs, it was still a good experience and they were all really friendly.
Paris, even in the fog and mush, is stunning at night. It was especially beautiful because it was all decorated for the holidays and there was a German Christmas market set up on the Champs-Elysees! We walked around looking at all of the stalls and lights, and we even saw Santa fly above a park in his sleigh! There was a Ferris wheel set up (and though I was unceremoniously forced onto it and thus spent the next 5 minutes terrified) even I have to admit that it was a great view of the Champs-Elysees and the bottom half of the Eiffel tower.
Speaking of historic landmarks, one of the places I was most excited to go to was the Louvre. We spent a few hours wandering the many corridors and exhibition halls but you could easily spend days in there and still not see everything there is to offer. We saw the "Mona Lisa" of course but my favorite pieces were the Winged Angel and the sculpture of Psyche. I love painted art, but sculpture is a much more vivid and dynamic medium as far as I'm concerned and I could easily pass hours staring at sculptures in any European city.
In short, Paris was amazing. From the little squares dotting the complex street system to the specialized artisan shops and the cozy little cafes there is much to be discovered and enjoyed! On with the photos!