8 Valentines + Mona

Au voir!

Okay everybody... Let's hear it for PAPA FRANCESCO!!!!!  It was March 12 when 115 cardinals gathered in the Vatican, locked themselves in the Sistine Chapel, and decided which of them would become the leader of the world's Catholics.  When Pope Francis was chosen that night, I stood on the terrace with Alex and Steph and got chills listening to church bells chiming throughout the city in his honor.  

The sky is drop dead gorgeous and the tourists are out to play.  Piazza Signoria has turned into the Tour-Firenze lunch break and Piazza del Duomo has transformed into a mini farm.  Some may find the horse-drawn carriages and umbrella-carrying tour guides to be a bit much, and maybe they are, but I enjoy shimmying by them on my way home from class.  When the wind blows and I smell the horses (and all of their glory), I like to pretend that I'm back at UConn.  

Alex is now a legal adult!!!  We had quite the celebration for her 21st, beginning the night with just the roommates and a few guys from upstairs... and eventually ending up with a crew!  We sat around a long table at S-Cafe-- which I believe is becoming the designated birthday spot-- and then called it a night.  Nice and low-key.

We love you Alex!    

It's times like these when I look back to that first Sunday dinner with my five ladies.  We were too cute, cooking pasta and jarred sauce like big girls.  I remember pretending to know everyone's names, even though I thought that Walker's name was Hunter and that Alex's name was Bridget until probably the second week.  

It's mid-March, and I've developed a healthy obsession with my favorite accordion player, the uneven cobblestones, and the dangerously easy access to Red Garter's weekend karaoke nights.  My roommates and I have covered 2 out of the 3 birthdays that we couldn't wait to celebrate together since January.  Even the sight of the calendar makes me sick.  I've stuffed it into the deepest pocket of my suitcase and have promised myself to never look back!

Let's move it right along, shall we?  

Paris, France!

I'm one of those nonconformists who never considered Valentine's Day to be "my thing."  I may scarf down any piece of chocolate that gets in my way and draw hearts on page after page in my notebooks, but I can't bring myself to believe in just one day a year dedicated to those sappy 'reminders.'  It should be every day, right?  Too old-fashioned?  I'm just sayin'.

It may seem a bit ironic (and cliche) how THIS year, not only did I celebrate Valentine's Day, but I did in one of the most romantic cities in the world-- not to mention, with 7 other people.  Let me be real... I purposely booked my flight for that particular weekend because I knew that it would fall right on February 14th.  I am such a sucker. 

First time with RyanAir

On my first RYANAIR flight to France-- an adventure in itself-- I made a mental list of expectations for my weekend: The Eiffel (of course), baguettes, cheese, and maybe a couple of thin mustaches.  Despite my being completely off about the facial hair, the city took me by surprise with its navigable Metro system, altruistic Parisians, and impressively gargantuan meringues.  

I conquered the weekend with 6 friends from Palazzo Rucellai and my best friend from home (who's studying abroad in Ireland this semester), Tara Conway!  Since October when we found out that we would be living in Europe at the same time, we made a pact that we'd reunite in Paris-- AND REUNITE WE DID!  Although to this day I'm astounded how she ran up to me in front of the Lourve without cell phone service or sense of direction, it all worked out and we spent three days telling stories, eating bread, and witnessing sites that I thought only existed in Mary-Kate and Ashley movies.

Paris was the first trip booked completely on our own-- from the plane and museum tickets, to the hostels and shuttle buses-- and damn, did we hustle...  

The Lourve

Hands down the largest museum I've walked through in my life.  We spent over three hours exploring, and I don't think we even covered 1/4 of it.  For me, the highlight of the Lourve was the Mona Lisa (so tiny!), Paolo Veronese's The Wedding At Cana painting, and the Egyptian exhibit.  Gotta love those mummies!

  

Love Lock Bridge

If you keep your eyes open while in Europe, it's possible to find little versions of this bridge all over the place-- there is even one in Florence in the center of the Ponte Vecchio!  Couples write their names (and messages to each other) on padlocks and then demonstrate their undying love permanently by sticking their lock through a fence link and watching the key sink to the bottom of the river.  Sigh.... CAN YOU HANDLE THE ROMANCE?!  The locks cover two main bridges in Paris: Pont des Arts and Pont de l'Archevêché.  

When a MANNNN loves a WOMAN!

Notre-Dame Cathedral

My brother and I used to watch Walt Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame like it was our job.  Quasimodo and Esmeralda's duets played repeatedly in my head as I admired the gothic French architecture.  Though the gargoyles were not singing and getting jiggy like in the cartoon, the cathedral gave off a special, enchanting ambiance.  

Happy 850th!

This year is Notre-Dame's 850th year anniversary!  Hooty hoot!!!  The history of the cathedral began in 1163, when the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, began its construction under the reign of King Louis VII.  While traveling, I've grown more and more fascinated by the restoration of such stunning architectural powerhouses.  Notre-Dame may be a little more than elderly (a survivor of the French Revolution!), but it is just as beautiful as the first photograph taken after its completion.    

This year, the cathedral welcomes nine new bells to accompany its oldest (named Emmanuel) and to replace its previous 19th century bells.  The bells of Notre-Dame originally tolled to mark the liberation of the city in 1944, and presently ring to mark each hour of the day.  The new additions were on display in the center of the church in front of a bath of holy water, reading:  I AM THE WAY WHICH SEEKS TRAVELERS. 

We toured the inside of the cathedral at sunset, stepping right into the middle of 6:00 mass!  Lighting candles and taking pictures of stained glass while listening to the French priest give his sermon was definitely a unique experience for me. 

Moulin Rouge

A raunchy main street with a lot of character.  It is a very artsy section of Paris, with tons of vintage boutiques, sex shops, and late-night dance shows.  The Can-Can dance originated in Moulin Rogue!

A little Can-Can of our own

Europe has treated me well, ESPECIALLY with its selection of gummy candies!!!!  Abby-- thankfully-- is just as into fruity things as I am, and we've started a fad among all of our friends!  It seems as though a weekend trip is not complete without stopping at the Tutti99 store beforehand for gummy Colas, bears, eggs, rings, and (my personal fave) sour keys.  

France took my passion for sweets to another planet.  Truck-sized chocolate and gummy stands were strategically placed only feet away from each Metro stop... the first one spotted right outside of Moulin Rogue.  Abby and I were in our glory!

Dreams come true!

Palace of Versailles 

The second morning in Paris, I inhaled an entire baguette for breakfast... no regrets (or shame)!!!  My friends and I thought that we were hot stuff navigating the Metro during our first day, but the complicated route to Versailles defeated us.  After about two hours of searching-- and 7 Metros later-- we arrived in one of the most gorgeous destinations of the weekend.

King Louis and Marie Antoinette called Versailles their home... and I picked up on a distinguishing residential feel while inside, looking past the gold and lace tapestry to the palace gardens.
       

The interior court

Hall of Mirrors

La Tour Eiffel

A true beauty.... 

 

I caught quick glimpses of its greatness as we approached its Metro stop and I'm convinced that my heart actually skipped.  The Eiffel Tower was more colossal and magnificent than I could have ever imagined.  We appreciated it in silence for about 10 minutes and then decided to check it out from another angle.  The eight of us rode one of its sideways elevators to the top!  I have luckily witnessed quite a few incredible views... but watching the sun set over France was truly legendary.     

Tara stayed in a hotel with her aunt, who has traveled to Paris many times in the past.  She knows what's up, and was nice enough to recommend one of her favorite traditional French spots for dinner.  

The owner of La Citrouille was a  character and clearly adored the ladies... I attempted to find the bathroom and found him instead-- he insisted that I dance the tango with him and in spite of my confusion, I went for it!  You only live once!  For the whole weekend I had been searching for classic French cheese and rewarded myself that night with an onion-cheese tart and cheese ravioli.  Success!

Side note: I didn't meet a single unpleasant French person.  In my European Union class, there have been a number of discussions focusing on the stereotypes of other countries, and I was really anxious to observe the French culture.  From the man who sympathetically welcomed me to sit in his restaurant just for WiFi (contacting Tara was close to impossible without service), to the kitchen staff in our hostel who offered us more cups of juice than we were allowed to drink, I didn't come across any form of audacity.  People must have been feelin' the love...     

Arc de Triomphe

 Avenue des Champs-Élysées 

And there you have it... We took on Paris by its baguette-shaped horns.  I never thought that I'd be a Valentine's Day kind of girl, but I'm pleased to admit that I am beginning to understand the hype.  Call me lame!  Call me a hypocrite!  I'll agree with you, and then blow you a kiss and call it awesome.

  

Metro masters...

"Who, being loved, is poor?" -Oscar Wilde

Lourvin' life

XOXO a tutti! 

A