March 21: Paris

Up the Eiffel Tower!
 By Estefany

 

Naturally, first thing in the morning, we ate breakfast in the hotel like we do every day. Every day it's the same French breakfast which is a delicious buttery croissant, fresh baguette with soft cheese, jam, salami, and sometimes hard boiled eggs. Yogurt is always offered too.

We went to the Eiffel Tower, hoping to beat the crowds as yesterday the lines were too long. We were lucky and didn't wait too long in line for our tickets. We were so excited to go top of the Eiffel Tower. It was everyone's first time to go the top of the Tower except for Scott. There was a lot of walking and stairs for us to get from the ground area to the first floor and the second floor of the Tower.

It was good exercise for us! We had to stand in a long line to get on the elevator and we were surprised to find out that our tickets didn't include the elevator ride! We didn't notice that the man gave us the wrong tickets. We had to go back to buy the tickets but luckily was an office on the second floor.

 

Scott and Joi went to buy tickets but found that the office was closed. They asked around and the Eiffel staff said that there were too many people on top so they were closing until people left the top. We had to wait one hour in the horrible freezing wind for our tickets. We were the first in line. As soon as we got our tickets, we immediately went to the elevator and at last we got to the top!

 

We were so fascinated with Paris and amazed at how beautiful the views were from on the top of Eiffel Tower. We enjoyed taking pictures and looking out all around Paris.

Several funny things happened to us today: We went in the wrong direction by not reading the map right, we accidentally followed the wrong landmark while walking out in the streets, lost our way in the Metro, and there were a few communication misunderstandings. It was a good lesson for us as we had to figure out solutions.

(Jen's Note: Part of the International Studies experience is having students learn "how" to travel. This includes reading maps for themselves and figuring out solutions. The goal is to have students become more independent travelers!)



Figuring out the Metro!

After our visit at the Eiffel tower, we found a place to eat French sandwiches. The French sandwiches were so delicious with huge cookies. We enjoyed it. We wanted to go to see the Musee de l'Armee Invalides. Unfortunately that museum was about to close so we decided to walk around to see different things and take a lot of selfies.

(Joi/Scott: Yes we lost count of how many selfies each student took! )

We had some free time to explore and shop. We also ate dinner early. After that, we arrived in the hotel to get ready for next day! Tomorrow we will go visit Versailles. We can't wait!  Scott and Joi also plan to take us out to dinner tomorrow we will try some escargots!

(Scott/Joi: last few nights we have been eating like partisans do, very late in the evening. Around 9 pm.. So tonight our 7:30 dinner was early for everyone and that gives us all time to unwind in the hotel. What are escargots? Do you think the kids will like them or not? Would you try and taste them if you had the chance??)