day 29 (2.1.09)

PARIS!!
My trip to Paris was an 11 on a scale of 1-10. It was fabulous. We flew in Thursday and left this morning (Sunday). The group of girls I went with couldnt have been better, we got so much accomplished and all had a really great time. Our hostel was called Hotel Caulaincourt Square. It was on Montmartre close to the Sacre-Coeur. The hostel was very cool and very Bohemian. There were always lots of random people around and we ate breakfast together in a large dining room. The four of us who originally were going alone booked a four person room. It was very cute and cozy and we had our own bathroom! The other two girls who decided to go later were in random rooms with random people which they said actually worked out great.
Paris is the most charming city I have ever seen. The worst part about it, was that everything was extremely expensive. In two full days I went to the D'Orsay, the Louvre, saw the Tour Effiel, walked Champs Elysesses, Notre Dame, Sacre-Coeur, Bastille, Montmartre, Arc de Triumphe, and catacombs.
We really only went out one night because A, it is so expensive and B, we were exhausted from all of the walking we were doing during the days. The night that we actually went out to a nightclub was fun but the nightlife is really similar to Barcelona's. We went with an Italian guy who was the piano player at a litte bar by our hostel, and his friends. It was funny because none of them were French, nor were any of them the same nationality. Italy, Peru, England, etc. Also, I was shocked at how many languages people spoke. In Barcelona EVERYONE is bilingual because they speak spanish and catalan. Schools are taught in catalan but life is basically in spanish. But in France, almost everyone could speak french, spanish, italian, and english. Atleast the people I spoke to. Many of them asked us to speak in Spanish because they were better at it then english. When we went out it was the biggest mix of languages and cultures, it was really amazing.
After the first day I realized that Paris was PERFECT. In my head I was questioning why I chose to learn Spanish and go to Barcelona over French and Paris! (Not reallly.. I loveeeee Spain, its just very different from France). I realized there are many things that Barcelona has to offer me that Paris doesnt. So a short list of things that I missed about Barcelona and why I am so greatful to be here: being able to read and understand almost everything. The fact that EVERYWHERE you go here there is music playing, a much more efficient, organized, and clean metro, cheaper everything!, and the ocean. If Barcelona had crepes, berets, and french boys it would be perfect!
My next trip is Dublin Ireland!! and then to Greecee. I cant wait!