Second Day in Paris

The day started bright and early. Our first plan was to get on the metro and visit the Musee d’Orsay. I can definitely say that this museum was one of my favorites because of their rich collection of art pieces. Fortunately, I had the opportunity of studying some of those art pieces and artists; therefore it was truly fulfilling to be able to actually see those paintings in person.

Furthermore, while in Musee d’Orsay, we saw some of these famous artists and paintings:

1. Theodre Chasseriau: Naked women/holding water

2. Jean Leon Gerome: Fight of roosters

3. Exoticism paintings

4. Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux: Inspired by Divine Comedy/Master of Orientalisme

5. Couture: Inspired by Roman statues, Roman antiquity

6. Courbet: Funeral in Village

7. Courbet: The Workshop

8. Vincet Van Gogh: Before coming to Paris, dark colors. After coming to Paris, yellow colors

9. Paul Gaguin: He painted nature simplified

10. Edouard Monet: Olympia, Impressionist painting

11. Paul Cezanne: Read his book, “Moon and Sixpence”

12. Monet: The Lunch

13. Armand Guillaumin: Impressionist paintings

14. Edgar Degas: Italian impressionist painting, statues of dancers

15. Henri de Toulouse-Laurtrea: Caboret paintings

16. Henri Matisse: Inspired by neo-impressionist

17. Paul Signac: Leader of neo-impressionist

18. Georges Seurat: Circus painting

19. Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Impressionist painting

Soon after visiting Musee d’Orsay, we took a walking tour in Paris. We visited the Chanzelize, a tiny location where artists sell their paintings, and the Louvre. The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in Paris, France. I enjoyed hearing the history of how the Louvre came about, and how it grew to hold some of the most amazing artifacts, paintings and statues. According to our tour guide, the Louvre used to be a royal palace, which then the king later moved his palace to Versailles and opened a museum, Louvre, in 1973. What I truly loved about the Louvre was its pyramid-like architecture and its unique appearance.

While in the Louvre, we saw some of these famous artists, paintings and statues:

1. Egyptian objects: Louvre holds the biggest collection, other than Egypt.

2. Pallas de Velletri: Antiquity of Greek Gods

3. Venus: Helonistic period; Greeks came up with the unique Greek position of leaning on one leg more than the other leg.

4. Botticelli: Fresco paintings found in a house

5. Leonardo de Vinci: He was an inventor, artist, war weapon, creator and scientist; Direct model of painting to audience

6. Mona Lisa: Famous in 1911; several myths include, (a) model is unknown (b) Leonardo dressed as a drag queen (c) staring at you

7. Liberty Guarding the People: Revolution of France

8. Cupid son of Venus

After the Louvre, we went to a famous French café “Les Deux Magots,” to have dinner. Apparently, this café was home to man famous writers, such as Oscar Wilde and Hemingway.

Clearly, today was a fun-filled, educational and tiring day for all of us. However, the opportunity to be able to visit these famous sights was one of the best moments during the trip. I feel like I was part of the European history because of our chance to hear the stories accompanying those famous statues and paintings. It was truly an educational experience.

First Day in Paris

Upon arrival, our hectic day immediately began. Stefania, our tour leader, greeted us and soon after led us and another group of college students from North Carolina to our bus. The plan was to drop off our luggages at our Paris aparthotel, and promptly began our Paris city tour.

As a group, we decided to take the Paris city metro to go to the Eiffel Tower. Not only would the metro allow us to experience the daily routine of many Parisians, it would also give us an opportunity to be part of the community culture. After our confusing and nerve wrecking metro ride, we arrived to the beautiful Eiffel Tower. It was truly a breath-taking moment. I felt like the tower greeted us to the wonderful and crazy Paris city. After taking countless pictures of the Eiffel Tower, we decided to take a Paris city guided tour boat ride. During the boat ride, we were shown the famous Sorboune University, Notre Dome and the many famous bridges in the city.

One of the greatest moments of the day was our trip up the Eiffel Tower. We had the opportunity to go up on the peak of the tower and look down at the beautiful site down below our feet. The city looked so thrilling, full of rich history and hope. I can confidently say that this was one of my unforgettable moments on this trip.

Soon after Dr. Cremer and Professor Emily Davis took us on a walking tour of Paris, which eventually led us to the metro. Clearly, ever since our flight to Paris, we did not have the opportunity to rest up or sleep. Therefore, when dinner-time came around, we were all extremely tired. Unfortunately, I was one of the individuals who fell asleep during dinner. Exhaustion and lack of sleep had taken a toll on me. After my short sleep in the restaurant, it was time for me to visit my uncles family in Paris, while the rest of the group had the opportunity to go to the hotel and rest.

After 10 years of not seeing my uncle and his family, I was invited to their home for a second-round of dinner. It was great seeing everyone so grown-up and improved. My uncle had completely transformed his families life for the better through rightly working and making a living for him and his family. After eating, gift-exchanging, sharing stories and exchanging laughs, it was finally time for me to go back to the hotel and get some much-needed sleep.

As I closed my eyes to sleep, I knew I still had a long and exciting trip ahead of me!

Before Meeting Europe

My countdown began approximately 3 months 2 weeks prior to May 17. As classes came to an end, graduation day neared and the summer sun began to shine even more brightly, I knew that my Europe trip was almost in near sight. After receiving this Europe trip as a graduation present from my parents, I was even more excited to begin my amazing journey to the other side of the world.

The nerves began to build, anticipating grew, the butterflies began to multiply and my heart continuously raced. However, I knew I was lucky, because I was going to be able to visit the tower that almost touched the ceiling, the lady that forever smiled, the sweet kisses on a tomb, the doors that were the ‘Gates to Heaven,’ the ceiling that ensured our connection with God, the blood shed coliseum, and a forum that existed before Christ. Importantly, what was even more special was the fact that I was going to create my own personal memories that would last me a lifetime.

It was 5:30 am, and our entire group was waiting at the American Airline check-in. Without difficulty, we were all able to check-in our luggage’s, pass through security, and make it to our gate on time. Even though flying has always been one of my biggest fears, I knew this trip was worth taking the risk and fighting my fears.

On our first flight to Boston, Erica accompanied the seat next to me. She was a great airplane buddy because she was able to calm me down and ensure me that the plane was safe, which was great to hear! On our next airplane flight to Paris, I had the pleasure to sit with Gina. The 7-hour flight, felt like a 2-hour one because of our humorous story sharing and gossiping. Fortunately, after enduring those uncomfortable airplane seats, somewhat disgusting airplane food and two great airplane buddies later, we arrived to Paris!

I know this will be a very memorable, educational and fun experience for me. I can't wait to see what is in hold for me on this trip!