this trip included a major first. the first time I have ever truly traveled by myself. granted both times I studied abroad in college and when I went to Egypt I didn't know anyone else on the trip, but at least I went with other people. Paris was just me.
now I know I sound spoiled for saying this, but I have already been to Paris four times. however, every time I went it was with someone who had never been before and so all I've ever really seen of the city is the tourist areas (and trust me, there is a lot more to it than just the sights). but every time I was there I fell in love - with the city, the architecture, the culture and, yes, even the people all over again. so for a long time I've been wanting to go back with nothing but me and my camera.
I had been looking for cheap plane tickets for a looooong time and finally, courtesy of Air Fare Watch Dog, I found a flight for only $350! so... I booked it. at that point I didn't even know if it was ok for me to take the days off, I didn't have anyone going with me, I didn't know anyone there and I didn't have a place to stay. but I didn't care - I was going to Paris with nothing but me and my camera. :)
months went by and it was finally time for my trip (I did get a hotel btw - wasn't planning on sleeping on the streets or anything). brought the suitcase to work, took a late lunch so I could leave early, hopped on the plane, and when I woke up the next morning I was in Paris. :) now when I first arrived I didn't have a map of the city (I mean hell, I had just looked up how to get to my hotel about an hour before I had to leave), but in the airport they had a little stand with free ones! problem one - solved. I eventually find the bus that's going to take me into the city and when I get into the city itself I decide it would be a genius idea to just simply walk to my hotel (since I already love walking). bad decision. I arrive about an hour or so later with two new blisters, which was absolutely fantastic given the notion that my only plan for the next three days was to walk around the city wandering aimlessly while taking pictures (long story short - I went through a lot of band-aids on this trip).
and walking is exactly what I did. after putting away my things in what I swear is the world's smallest hotel room (legit - you opened the door and it was BAM! bed right in front of you and that was it), I grabbed my camera and iPod and started walking. about seven hours later I came home. the plan was to go out to grab a quick bite after resting for a bit, but due to jet lag and sheer exhaustion next thing I knew I was waking up and it was seven A.M. oops. so I got ready for the next day of walking (this time for about nine hours or so).
I am not sure if anyone knows this, and if you don't then now you will, but I used to be a "ballerina" (it was only through my senior year of college, nothing serious) and now I volunteer for the NYC Ballet. so I decided that when in Rome do as the Romans do - Saturday night then I went to the ballet at the Paris Opera house. I found out later that the ballet I saw was actually the school of ballet and not the company, which you could definitely tell from the performance. oh well. I was excited because I got to sit in the orchestra for not a whole of money and the inside (well the outside too) of the Opera House made it TOTALLY worth it!! probably one of the most ornate and beautiful buildings I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure I stared more at the interior of the building than actually watching the ballet.
the last day again was full of walking (I haven't gone into a lot of detail about my wanderings because I'm pretty sure no one would find it exciting except for me). that night I had to come home and pack because I was unfortunately leaving the next morning. :( even though I was there for a full three days, it still definitely was not enough time in the city. so moral of the story... I'll be back. ;) and since no post is interesting with just words and no pictures, below are a few I took from the trip.
now I know I sound spoiled for saying this, but I have already been to Paris four times. however, every time I went it was with someone who had never been before and so all I've ever really seen of the city is the tourist areas (and trust me, there is a lot more to it than just the sights). but every time I was there I fell in love - with the city, the architecture, the culture and, yes, even the people all over again. so for a long time I've been wanting to go back with nothing but me and my camera.
I had been looking for cheap plane tickets for a looooong time and finally, courtesy of Air Fare Watch Dog, I found a flight for only $350! so... I booked it. at that point I didn't even know if it was ok for me to take the days off, I didn't have anyone going with me, I didn't know anyone there and I didn't have a place to stay. but I didn't care - I was going to Paris with nothing but me and my camera. :)
months went by and it was finally time for my trip (I did get a hotel btw - wasn't planning on sleeping on the streets or anything). brought the suitcase to work, took a late lunch so I could leave early, hopped on the plane, and when I woke up the next morning I was in Paris. :) now when I first arrived I didn't have a map of the city (I mean hell, I had just looked up how to get to my hotel about an hour before I had to leave), but in the airport they had a little stand with free ones! problem one - solved. I eventually find the bus that's going to take me into the city and when I get into the city itself I decide it would be a genius idea to just simply walk to my hotel (since I already love walking). bad decision. I arrive about an hour or so later with two new blisters, which was absolutely fantastic given the notion that my only plan for the next three days was to walk around the city wandering aimlessly while taking pictures (long story short - I went through a lot of band-aids on this trip).
and walking is exactly what I did. after putting away my things in what I swear is the world's smallest hotel room (legit - you opened the door and it was BAM! bed right in front of you and that was it), I grabbed my camera and iPod and started walking. about seven hours later I came home. the plan was to go out to grab a quick bite after resting for a bit, but due to jet lag and sheer exhaustion next thing I knew I was waking up and it was seven A.M. oops. so I got ready for the next day of walking (this time for about nine hours or so).
I am not sure if anyone knows this, and if you don't then now you will, but I used to be a "ballerina" (it was only through my senior year of college, nothing serious) and now I volunteer for the NYC Ballet. so I decided that when in Rome do as the Romans do - Saturday night then I went to the ballet at the Paris Opera house. I found out later that the ballet I saw was actually the school of ballet and not the company, which you could definitely tell from the performance. oh well. I was excited because I got to sit in the orchestra for not a whole of money and the inside (well the outside too) of the Opera House made it TOTALLY worth it!! probably one of the most ornate and beautiful buildings I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure I stared more at the interior of the building than actually watching the ballet.
the last day again was full of walking (I haven't gone into a lot of detail about my wanderings because I'm pretty sure no one would find it exciting except for me). that night I had to come home and pack because I was unfortunately leaving the next morning. :( even though I was there for a full three days, it still definitely was not enough time in the city. so moral of the story... I'll be back. ;) and since no post is interesting with just words and no pictures, below are a few I took from the trip.
