The Original Paris Opera House

One of my favorite places in Paris was the Opera House.  I loved walking through old building. This was literally one of the most extravagant, breathtaking places I visited during my time in Europe.  This it the ORIGINAL opera house in Paris, so it's old, charming, and beautiful all at the same time.  The pictures just don't even do the place justice.  Enjoy :)

Grand Staircase.

Ceiling in the above the Grand Staircase

So fancy!

Inside the theatre.  I'd hoped to find a cheap ticket that day, so I could experience it.  However, a cheap, single seat was around $170, plus, I only had travel clothes, nothing fancy enough to attend the opera in.  But it was fun to explore the building.  I wandered around for about 3 hours.  I couldn't imagine seeing a show or being lucky enough to perform there.  Quite amazing. 

Mimics the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles

They had some of the costumes used in the different operas showcased.  They were so extravagant and beautiful.  Such craftmanship involved in making the costumes.  They employ seamstresses, cobblers, leather makers, clothing dyers, and the list goes on and on.  It takes hundreds of people to do the scenery and costumes alone. 

A collage of the costume work.  I was fascinated by this.  I guess I had never stopped and thought about the work that goes on behind the scene to make sure everyone and everything looks authentic.  

The Palace of Versailles

I took a full-day during my time in Paris to head about 45 minutes outside of the city to the Palace of Versailles. I woke up bright and early to catch the subway out to the train station where I would then take the train. It was a cloudy, cold day, but it was an amazing place.  I was glad I took the time to go and see it.  I could literally have spent hours wandering around, through the different rooms.  I did a guided tour to ensure I got the full-experience and saw all the must-see rooms and things within the Palace.  It was so extravagant.  I also loved learning about the different lifestyles each King and Royal Family lived during their time in the Palace.  For example, one of the Kings was such a "public" King that he had two bedrooms, the public bedroom where people would watch him get into bed, then they would leave and he would scamper over to his private bedroom.  In the morning, the same thing would happen, he would technically awaken in his private bedroom, but then go into his public bedroom, where he would awaken with a large group of people standing around watching him.  It was so strange to hear the little quirks about each of the Kings and their families, but I learned a lot.  Here are some of my pictures from the day. 

My first glimpse of Versailles.  It is so huge, this picture does not even do it justice. 

Entering the Palace Grounds.

Gold is literally EVERYWHERE.  It was so fancy.

Needed a picture in the inner courtyard, used exclusively by the King.  

The back of the Palace, wandering around the gardens.

The landscaping and gardens were extremely gorgeous.  I would love to return sometime in the summer.

The Coronation Room.

Hall of Mirrors.  

Hall of Mirrors.

I forget which room this was, but the paintings on the walls and ceilings were just breathtaking.

My Love Affair with the Eiffel Tower

So after leaving Germany, I took the night train to Paris, France.  Paris is a place I'd always wanted to visit.  I thought it would be the perfect place to wrap-up my European adventure.  I stayed in a hostel for four nights, then splurged the last night on a fancy, boutique hotel close to the Louvre.  I loved Paris.  I took approximately a million pictures, so I have to split the blog posts up by sites essentially.  

The most iconic site in Paris is obviously the Eiffel Tower.  It is the thing that defines the city.  You can see it from almost anywhere in the city, shining and sparkling in all it's glory.  I've heard people say the Eiffel Tower isn't as cool in real life, I have to disagree.  It was amazing, something you see so often in movies, magazines and photos, it becomes almost something we take for granted, something that loses its magic because it gets a lot of airtime.  But, in my opinion, it's an experience to stand in front of it, seeing it with your own eyes, taking in its height and majesty.  I returned to it almost daily.  The most magical time to see it though, is at night.  Every hour, on the hour, it lights up and sparkles, filling the sky with beautiful lights.  It surreal and so romantic.  

Probably my most favorite memory in Paris was when I went to the Eiffel Tower with a girl in my hostel.  We bought some crepes and wine, sat across from it, and watched it sparkle for almost three hours.  We talked about our travels, about our favorite places in Paris, and enjoyed the Tower's performance three times.  I get goosebumps just thinking about that night.  The way such a place can connect two travelers who get to sit, appreciate and marvel at something breathtaking.  

Here are some of the pictures I took of the Eiffel Tower.  

My FIRST glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.  I was standing in front of the Louvre, turned around, and there she was.  

Walking in the park surrounding the Eiffel Tower.

So I forced myself to go to the top.  I didn't want to, and in fact, I walked under it, across the street, and looked back at it, then decided I couldn't come all the way to Paris and not ride to the top, so I marched back, bought my ticket, and got in the elevator before I changed my mind.  Although I only stayed for a few minutes (only enough time to snap some pictures, then get the heck down), it was pretty breathtaking, and HIGH.  Wow. But what a view. 

Arc de Triomphe

The Louvre, Seine River, and Notre Dame in the distance.

This has no filter, but I thought it was beautiful.  A strong symbol in the grey clouds.  

Man, that's high.  Whew.

Just showing off....

The Eiffel Tower....in all its sparkling glory.  How beautiful is this?!  It's so magical.

On the last day, I asked another tourist to take a photo of me.  I couldn't leave without of picture of my favorite spot.  

Munich With Meredith

So one of my favorite things abroad was getting to visit one of my best friends, Meredith. Meredith and I met through PASSPORT.  We worked out first summer together as Bible Study Leaders, and ultimately worked again together as Director and Assistant Director.  Although she lives down South, she is from Lexington, so we always make a point to hang out when she comes back to Lexington to visit family.  Meredith and I have always remained close, and when she told me she was going to Germany for a year, I promised her I would visit.  I am all about visiting friends who are around the world, and I knew Meredith would be a blast to travel with in Germany. 

So, Meredith has been in Germany for the past year.  She lives in Munich, and loves it.  She was such a superstar guide.  We went to a lot of great places, had great food, and she speaks Germany so that was extremely helpful.  

The New Town Hall, essentially the city hall building.  It is home to the Rathaus Glokenspiel which you can see in the middle.  It tells a story that last about 10 minutes about the marriage of a Duke from Bavaria complete with a joust where the Bavarian knight wins, obviously.  It was beautiful and fun to watch. 

Listing to some singing, complete with traditional German clothing.

Meredith made me climb to the top of a church to look out over the city.  I am so scared of heights, but with her encouragement, I made it to the stop.  It was a beautiful place to look out at the city.  And a beautiful clear day too.

Nymphenburg Palace--The "summer home" for the Bavarian King.  We went to the Palace with a few of the girls that live in Meredith's dorm.  We wandered the Palace and then ate in the cafe.  At the cafe, we ordered three different desserts and shared.  It was a fun day getting to explore and know some of Meredith's new friends. 

Posing in from of Nymphenburg Palace.  

One of the desserts we devoured.  Clearly we liked it :) I think it was chocolate cake with raspberry. 

Old Medieval Gate in Munich.  The City was beautiful, and there were beautiful things to photograph around every corner.  We spent a whole day just walking around and taking pictures.  

Rubbing the lion for good luck.  It's funny to just watch people walk by, they instinctively stick out their hand and rub the lion's shield.  It's a superstitious act, but tourist and locals alike rub the shield.  Hopefully I'll have good luck now!

St. Patrick's Day in Munich.  We walked by the celebration.  There was some Irish music and Irish beer.  However, true to their custom, Germans believe their beer to be far superior, so there was plenty of German beer to celebrate with as well. It was fun to celebrate the Irish in Germany.  

Meredith and her boyfriend, Julius at a beer hall.  The last night in Munich we met my friend Christina who was a fellow intern at the UNICTR in Tanzania with me.  I also needed to drink some German beer and taste some more traditional German food before leaving.  It was a fun night of drinking, eating, and singing (yes, our German friends sand the US National Anthem with Meredith).  It was a great night with great people. 

Baby beer?  Haha, I don't think it was actually beer, but it just looked hilarious. 

Reunited with my pal Christian.  Christian was one of my closest friends at the UNICTR.  It was wonderful spending time with him in his country.  He always told us how amazing German beer was in comparison with Tanzanian beer.  So I was glad to finally get to share a drink with Christian.  It was fun to end my last night with all my German friends!

Too much?  Maybe.....

Last day in Germany.  One last stop, visiting the markets and buying last minute souvenirs. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Germany.  It is one of my favorite countries now.  I got to see so many parts of Germany, that were so different and unique.  It's a place of great beauty and powerful history.  I hope to return some day!  And thanks Meredith (and Julius) for showing me around, sharing your home, and allowing me to spend some time in your German life!

The Nuremberg Trials

The only "must-see" during my time in Germany was Nuremberg.  After spending four months in Africa working for an international court, I wanted to go see the one that started it all.  The town of Nuremberg was so beautiful and quant.  The medieval city center is still very much intact.  There is a huge castle on the hill and a beautiful wall that surrounds the old city.  We walked through the city, explored, had some sausages and pretzels, then Meredith and I parted from our group to head to the judicial building.  Below are some of the pictures from the day, and of course, the main attraction.

Loved the little town and its narrow streets.

Heading into the market and city center.

The beautiful river.  Such a gorgeous day to explore.

Turning the lock to ensure my visit back to Nuremberg :)

Castle

Medieval Castle door.  I thought it looked very "Harry-Potter-ish."

Inside the Courtroom.  It was amazing.

How the Courtroom looked during the trials.

Talking about the ICTR!