Oh the places I went: Fall Edition

So, here's the thing: I'm a terrible blogger. For some reason, one that has nothing to do with laziness, blogging for me is like trying to push a toddler to take a bath. You try to force the flow of creativity and emotions onto the keyboard, but legs and arms fly everywhere and suddenly you're soaking wet, without any idea of how you go that way. My writing comes and goes in spurts. This spurt just happened to last for about 3 months... In conclusion, I am going through a spurt and might as well catch you up on my life as an extranjero de Espana.

During fall break I went to Paris with four other friends. It was truly a "student traveling in Europe experience." We slept on tile floors, scraped our wallets in order to eat, encountered dark alley ways filled with Parisan youths, breathed in the heavy, ripe odor of urine and wine in the Pairs metro, got lost on the metro, and somehow ended up with vomit-soaked soles.

But we had a blast.

We stayed with some old friends of mine, who just happen to live on the outskirts of Paris, and while five, Zim-like youths probably invaded too much of their space, we wouldn't have wanted to stay anywhere else. Within 5 nights we were treated to over 20 different kinds of cupcakes, authentic salted caramel covered crepes, and tasty raclette. Thomas and Christina showed us how to venture through the jungle of subways, and gave us tips on how to survive around Parisians. For this we all give them a round of applause and a huge thanks. We would NOT have made it through Paris without them.

We saw everything: street performers that should have million dollar contracts, baguettes that will make your taste buds quiver, and views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower, the Arc d'Triomphe, the Tower of Notre Dame, all completely breath taking and humbling to your core. We attended mass at Notre Dame, receiving our fair share of Gregorian chants. I breathed in the sweet, tranquil scent of the Versailles gardens, strolled through Marie Antoinette's onsite village and slept on the canal. I realized my love for Paris again. I had been there once before and knew what it was, but I feel that when one achieves understanding of a subject's heart beat, only then can one fully appreciate it's being and place in this world.

After five days exploring Paris, we packed up and headed to Brussels, Belgium. What a lovely city full of sweet, crispy waffles and rainy days. For those of you who love the dreariness of Seattle and wish to move to Europe, please, buy real estate in Brussels. You will love it. It is an enchanting, smaller city; quiet and calm. There, our band of five met up with a band of four, and for one night, all nine of us shared a one bedroom apartment. How did we all sleep? Three on the bed, three on the fold out couch, and three on the floor, using sleeping bags and cushions from the chairs. I have never had more fun with so many people in such a small space.



We stayed in Brussels for about two days and enjoyed every minute of it. While tooling around Brussels, we ran into countless waffle trucks and stands, a theme park based on a mini world, and the famous Manneken Pis. But one of the best parts was for the first time since we arrived in Europe, the five of us sat down and had Friday night dinner. We made a feast of mashed potatoes, pasta, bread, salad and many other yummy dishes. We ate, laughed and reminisced over our travels and our homes. We all went to bed that night stuffed and nostalgic for Sabbath back home. 

Well, reader, I didn't think I would write this much for one break.. so I might have to do a continuation of this "recap." But please, enjoy the pictures and laugh at all the silly things that happened to us.