Paris: Home of my Heart

PARIS....once again where do I begin! As soon as I laid my eyes on the streets of Paris, I knew this would be everything I dreamed of and more. The fast paced city streets, with Parisians of every race and the old architecture that could be seen as far as the eye could see. I dreamed of Paris, yes, but now Danni was in Paris and it was about to be AHMAZING! But first let me back up...lol

I took a 9am train from Lyon to Paris. I was actually quite excited to get out the city-like atmosphere of Lyon and see the country-side of France--and oh was I in for a treat! The country-side, or as the French call it " the province", was beautiful! The sun rose as my train headed towards Paris and hit the rolling hills filled with Tuscan cottages. It was simply beautiful! I thought to myself, "dang--I bet they have GOOD FOOD in these small towns" ha-ha! My fat butt! (sike) And the fact that, this is France! I’m definitely not in the US anymore lol. Cut a 2 hour ride short, I reached my destination and the entire station was outside (nothing was enclosed)! Let me tell you...it was FREEZING! My two girlfriends wouldn't be in Paris until 1:20pm and it was only 11am...FML! Thank God I brought my "New Moon" book ha-ha. I bundled up in a nearby cafe ordered a pain au chocolat and chocolat au lait--DELISH and was in another world in no time...

Turns out my girls got lost and ended up at a DIFFERENT station, so it took about an hour and half to finally unite in Paris Gare Lyon. Let me tell you, when I saw their faces, I ran like a crazy person about 100 feet, luggage speeding behind me, into their arms lol! We all just laughed and got moving to our next destination--the hostel.

After the complications of the oh so confusing PARIS METRO, we got to our Hostel, to only be sent about 5 city blocks to the partner hostel--with our luggage. What do you do in these situations--LAUGH! Lol sooo I did, unlike Olivia who had to pee and was running like a race horse ha-ha! Finally we got there, pleased with the setting and the room and happy to rest a bit. It was now 5:30ish pm--we were supposed to there by 2pm :) Oh well....we take our showers, get dressed and head out immediately for what else??!!! The freakin' Eiffel Tower--what every tourist does! lol And let me tell you it was AHMAZING--down to Makeia saying, "oh, I wish it would glitter like it does on New Year’s..." and guess what....IT DID!!! We all were in awe, by it massiveness and the fact that after seeing this Paris landmark in pictures for the past 21-22 years, we were actually seeing it with our own eyes!

In between being harassed by the vendors, and the many pictures we took, we grabbed food and caught a cab back to the hostel to figure out our next moves and to bundle up...(cold as **** there). By the time we got out the hostel, it was 1:45am and we were running down 3 city blocks to reach the corner store by 2am---for what else??? LIQ and JUICE ha-ha and three cups that the clerk charged us 20 euro cent for...I swear! Lol

As we attempted to "sip" on our juice mixture we were once again harassed by loads of French men, some older--some not ;)--by the way, the Frend, or at least Parisians, drink wine right out of the bottle, just strolling down the sidewalk! So, since we WERE in Paris for the night, we were Parisians for the night! Ha-ha After about 8 minutes of trying to catch cab, turns out our special clerk from the corner store flagged one down FOR US! Sweeeeeeet! Too bad the cab driver turned out to be a CREEP, taking us in circles around the gorgeous breathtaking Arc de Triomphe, where every car I swear was driving about 70 miles per hour around that circle (no speed limit)!! Just imagine...me hanging out the window--trying to take picture of this madness---RUSH!!!

We realized this crazed cab driver was taking us away from our destination, we jump out, paid him 10 euro's and hailed down cab! Hahahaah. By the time we were done with that craziness it was 3am but clubs closed at 6am there!!!! :(Slightly heated we finally found our savior, our light in our dark knight ha-ha, our Club 67—3 for 40 euro's baby (good price)! And boy did we party, in more ways than one! Night successful, mission accomplished! <3

The next day we ate, reflected on our first day and that through it all, it could not have been better! It helped us grow up, wake up, and build more confidence in our abilities to succeed! We can do anything we put our minds too! We smiled across the lunch table realizing that were all are going to end up doing wonderful things—and the fact that Paris has NOT seen the last of us. And what I better way to end this trip---SHOPPING at Galleries Lafayette....SOLDES!!! Aka SALES!!

As I say in my blog "About Me", I do dream of Paris. I have experienced Paris only for 2 days and one night and know that one day I want to reside in that beautiful city. The two dynamic, gorgeous, independent women that I experience this adventure with (Makeia and Olivia), I wouldn’t have traded them for the world! This trip, though short, is to be remembered forever. For us, three American’s, from Rhode Island, Alabama and Washington, DC metro, “came,saw, and conquered”.

Paris, the city where anything can happen. For us—IT REALLY DID.

BISOOOOUS <3
Danni

France: Just the Beginning

So, I know I am starting about three weeks, almost a month late, but better late than never right?? Haha let's see here, France...where to begin. France, in particular Lyon, more central France along the Rhone Alps has been a JOURNEY with trials and tribulations. BUT one of the best times in my 22 years of life and it’s only the beginning! A brief description:

I left in tears from Dulles Airport with the support of my family and Brandon. I never thought I would cry. Honestly I didn't have the time! I was too busy hanging with friends, packing and trying to get my "ish" together before I left. Before I knew it, it was January 1, 2010 and I was about to walk through the gate with my dad--depart from family and never see them again... No, it wasn't "a never again" situation, but 5 months seemed like a lifetime at the time! My emotions consumed me as my strong, always poised mother started tearing--it was downhill from there... lol. Anyway, to cut a loooong story short, we left (THANK YOU DAD) to fly thousands of miles away, to a foreign land. Oh, I can't forget to mention, "Club style"--as in better than 1st class baby! (was surprisingly bumped up) <3 So, let’s just say it was VERY comfortable haha. But, flying thousands of miles away is when I really realized that I am scared of planes! Luxury or not, I was terrified for the 1st hour....

Once we got there, my dad and I were quite overwhelmed...period! From the language barriers to getting around the city, to setting up my apartment! It was crazy, but I honestly I wouldn't have traded those tribulations for the world. It helps you grow. Thank God to my father for coming and helping me settle--I cried when he left (big baby :/) lol. I know I could have done it on my own, but it was good to have the support and I guess you could call "Danni's first three days in Lyon" as a bonding experience...lol

Orientation (2 weeks prioir classes beginning--French culture immersion, French class, PARTAY <3): haha--let’s just say LONG HOURS!! But I'm glad to had gone through those 10am-5pm classes daily because that is when I met some of the most interesting people from all over the world--one of the objects of studying abroad--Experiencing new cultures! And can you say PARTAAY! First week was nothing but class---Party--class---PARTY AGAIN! I listened and danced to music I never thought was "me" and had the time of my life. When you go abroad you want to open yourself to different things...and as much as I love my R&B--Trey, Maxwell, Robin Thicke, Drake and so on--I grew beyond that and listened to TECHNO and others, yes I know! But let me tell you, if you just "let go"...you can have such a ball!!

I have only been here 3 weeks, going on a month, and I already see myself changing as well as my life goals altering for the best. Traveling abroad is like a drug, you don’t want to STOP! You want to experience everything you can--especially when you’re young and vibrant!---and NO I don’t do drugs! Lol, you realize when you get to your destination, that no matter where you come from--you are ALL so much alike in so many ways--you all have the desire to explore, to meet new people, experience new cultures, learn and have a great time! Once I realized that...everything became that much better!

So... I just came back from Paris this past weekend, the city of love and adventure, that seemed to feel like home...with two great friends from home, Makeia and Olivia <3--but I'll share those adventures for my next blog, coming soon... <3

Au revoir <3

Danni