Travels!

As most of you know, I have just returned to Paris after a month of travel. The experience of traveling was incredibly liberating and I learned an immense amount about myself and European culture. Every place I went was incredibly different and I had numerous random encounters with friends, wonderful time with families who welcomed me into their homes and even strangers. Here are the high lights from each place.

Copenhagen, Denmark
-I wasn't here long but in the brief layover I had I went to Nyhavn, which is the famous canal. I bumped into a friend from Michigan who had been studying there and she and her friends told me all about Danish culture and what they loved about Copenhagen. They even gave me a few Carlsbergs and I was extremely content to just enjoy the sun and their company while on a boat deck.

Stockholm, Sweden
-I spent a great weekend here visiting my friend Amanda. It was great having a local to show me around and I absolutely loved both the country and people. Unlike Parisians, the Scandinavian people were so warm and welcoming and loved to talk to me about their culture and America. Plus they were all beautiful. It was the first place that I really felt at home and with my height, blondish hair and blue eyes I fit right in. I was also very lucky with the weather, it was warm and sunny the entire weekend!
-I ate amazing food in Sweden. Amanda bought me real Swedish fish and her mom made me Swedish meatballs with potatoes, which is a traditional Swedish dish. I was in heaven!

Amsterdam, Holland
-This was my one of my favorite places in Europe. Amsterdam is a beautiful city, filled with canals, bikes and small winding streets. Everywhere I turned there was a small canal lined with tulips and boats. I also loved the Dutch culture and the history of Amsterdam. I went to the Anne Frank house, which was incredibly moving. I re-read her diary while I was traveling in Scandinavia so it was fresh in my mind. Seeing the Annex and hearing the story of the Franks first hand was a very emotional experience but something I think everyone should experience. I also visited the Van Gogh museum and spent over 3 hours there, such an amazing collection. It was great because I met up with my friend Maggie and it was nice to have someone there to share the experience with.
-Other highlights: a tour of the Heineken factory and eating traditional Dutch pancakes and stroop waffles

Aix-en-Provence, France
-Wonderful town in the south of France that is famous as the home of Cezanne. It was incredible how much the city still resembled all the Cezanne paintings. I made a visit to his house and ran into a friend from school, which was incredibly random but very welcome. We hiked a short distance to the Terrain des peintres, a small park overlooking Montagne Sainte-Victoire and was a favorite spot of Cezannes. The city was very picturesque and was a wonderful place to simply stroll around.

Cassis, France
-One of the most breath-taking places I have ever been. Cassis is home to Les Calanques, a national park positioned on the Mediterranean Sea. I spent the entire day climbing the white-rock cliffs and while hiking meet a French ex-marine who lived in the neighboring town of Marseille who showed me the hidden spots of the park and told me the history of Cassis. I reward my day of hiking with a glass of famous Cassis rosé and mussels and fries.

Marseille, France
-Not a great town but positioned right between Aix and Cassis, so it was convenient. There was an amazing cathedral on top of hill which gave me a great view of the harbor and the city. I also stumbled upon a choral concert in the cathedral which was a nice surprise.

Nice, France
-Very beautiful town located right on the Mediterranean. I spent my day here laying on the rock beaches. It had been awhile since I'd see the sun, so it was nice to take a personal day and lay out.

Monaco, France
-I happened to pass through Monaco during the Grand Prix. While I enjoyed seeing all the people and being in city during an exciting time, the cars were very loud and the race track made navigating the city hard. I did climb up to the castle and take a walk through Les Jardins Exotique, which was located right along the Mediterranean and absolutely breathtaking.

Grenoble, France
-After a week of sunshine and beaches, it was off to chillier climates. I visited a friend from Michigan who was studying there with a Michigan program. It was really nice to see a familiar face and be surrounded by a crowd of Michigan people again. Grenoble is nestled in the alps and we went to the old fort on top of the hill. We also visited the art museum, had long meals and watched a football match.

Maggia, Switzerland
-The last stop on my travels was a week with our family friends the Coduris.  I took a nine hour train from Grenoble to Maggia and it was one of the most beautiful trips I've ever taken. Winding through the Alps and along the lakes, I couldn't look away from the window. The Coduris were incredibly hospitable and in the week I was with them I learned so much about Swiss culture and ate amazing food. From risotto, to fondue to chocolate, I didn't stop eating! Elena showed me the surrounding towns of Locarno and Bellinzona and one day we drove to the German part of Switzerland and stopped at Ballenberg and Interlaken. My favorite thing we did was taking a hike to their mountain house which you could only reach by foot and was located in the heart of the Alps. I flew out of Milan and got a chance to see the famous Duomo and had lunch on a terrace directly next to it. Great views!

I'm so grateful that I had this opportunity to see so many different places. Thank you to my parents and to everyone who hosted me while I was on the move.

Work starts tomorrow, more to come!

(Starting top left: Sweden, Amsterdam, Maggia, Aix, Cassis) 

(Starting top left: Switzerland, Grenoble, Amanda and I in Sweden, Nice, Max and I in Grenoble)

On turning 21 in Paris

In America, a 21st birthday is considered a time where you celebrate the freedom to legally consume alcohol. In Europe, the drinking age is 18 so turning 21 does not hold the same meaning as it does in USA. I was very fortunate in that my birthday celebrations began a week before my birthday with a visit from my parents, followed by a visit from Aunt Robin, Corey and Maw Maw and ending a week after with a trip to Prague.

Having my parents in Paris was such a treat. Unfortunately the weather was rather cold and rainy but getting to show them around and have wonderful long meals together was so special. We were even lucky enough to cross paths with our friend John Henderson. It was pretty amazing that our family has seen John twice this year, once in Thailand and again in France. We had a wonderful home cooked meal complete with great conversation, good wine and of course amazing French cheese. My parents were also kind enough to take me and a few friends out to a pre-birthday dinner which was equally great. I had been feeling a little homesick and the gray Paris weather had me down so having my amazing parents in town to support me was an incredible blessing.

The day my parents left also welcomed the arrival of Robin, Corey and Maw Maw. We had a great day of shopping along the Rue Saint-Honore and looking in all of the couture stores on that block. It's almost like going to museums. Robin gave me a very special birthday gift, a beautiful white gold Hermés cuff and Maw Maw also got me an incredible gift, a very cool snake ring that matches the bracelet perfectly. I will always look at the bracelet and ring and be reminded of Paris, my family and a wonderful birthday. We ate amazing meals and I was given much needed advice about life and my upcoming job. It was so wonderful getting to spend the time with them and especially on my birthday. The night of my birthday we went to Chez Georges and ended the night by watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle. It was such a special night and it made me so thankful for my family and the opportunity I've been given to study here in Paris. Overall, I couldn't have ask for a better birthday and I'm so happy I was able to celebrate with family in Paris!

Bonnes pâques and Switzerland

Bonnes pâques (or Happy Easter) from Europe! I spent my Easter between Geneva, Lausanne and Paris with my good friend Aly. Switzerland was an absolutely beautiful country and being in the land of chocolate for Easter was a nice treat (literally and figuratively!).

We arrived in Geneva on Friday to rain and clouds, not exactly what we had in mind for a vacation. All of the stores were closed on Friday because of Good Friday so we just grabbed a lunch by the main church in Geneva and then went back to our hostel for a nap. That night we had an amazing dinner at a small restaurant  Aly had never had fondue so a fancy Swiss restaurant seemed like the perfect place for her to try it. We felt with empty wallets but full stomachs and the nice dinner made up for all the bad weather that day.

The next day we took a train to Lausanne, a small town on Lac Léman. The day started off rainy also but luckily cleared up about mid day. We walked all over the little town and ended the day at the harbor. Despite the mist, the lake was still breathtakingly beautiful. We could just barely see the Alps peaking over the clouds but it was still unlike any lake I've ever seen. Coming from Michigan, I never thought I'd see something as beautiful as the Great Lakes but the Swiss lakes come pretty close to beating them. We grabbed some chocolate truffles to eat on the train ride home which gave us enough energy to continue walking around once we returned to Geneva.

On Easter Sunday, we finally got a glimpse of the sun! We walked around Geneva and enjoyed a cup of coffee in an outdoor terrace, which felt very European. The most enjoyable part of the day was sitting by the lake and watching the Jet de l'Eau which is a giant water fountain in the the lake. We returned to Paris that night and luckily Aly was able to stay all day Monday so we got a chance to enjoy Paris together.

We got lucky again with the weather and went to all of the big places in Paris like the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur. I hadn't had a chance to walk around Montmartre yet so it was great getting to see the area in the sun.

Another great weekend in Europe and many more to look forward too!

What I miss about America and love about Paris

Two months down. Six to go. There are times when all I want to do is drive to McDonalds at 1am and get a milkshake and other times when all I want to do is sit by the Seine and look at art.

European culture is incredibly different than America and as a person who truly enjoys new places, new cultures and new people, I never expected to miss home. In France nothing stays open past 10pm and on Sundays, everything is closed. I always hated the convenience culture of America, so I find it ironic that I miss it so much. There also aren't Sour Patch Kids here, which is a big problem.

I also have been a little taken off guard by the way people dress here. I didn't anticipate how truly chic and put together everyone is. I figured coming here after New York would be a walk in the park but the Parisian people have a wardrobe unlike anything I've seen. It mostly consists of fur and Louis Vuitton. I also sorely underestimated how much the french people wear tights and didn't bring nearly enough with me. And sweat pants, forget about it. The children here also dress better than a majority of Americans, which is equally adorable and intimidating.

Despite these differences, Paris has been an incredible place to grow and learn from. The people here are very private, which I think Americans perceive as coldness. It took a few months of going to the same places everyday to warrant a small smile or an inquiry about my day. However, once a french person talks to you, you know it's because they actually like you and not because they fell obligated to.

The thing I love most about Paris is being on my own. I can travel to so many places and see so many things and having only myself to relay on and face new challenges with is an incredibly rewarding experience. Self-discovery is wonderful and luckily I have friends here to help me along the way. There are times when I miss my friends and family a lot and I would be lying if I said there hadn't been a few tears or times when I wish I could be in Ann Arbor.

I tell myself that these times of homesickness are good because they reaffirm the importance of those things in my life. In being away from Ann Arbor, I've been able to truly appreciate the friends I have there because the important ones have all made an effort to connect with me and stay in touch. It makes me feel even more blessed knowing I have such a great group of people to come back to.

I've also been lucky enough to see friends abroad, including my close friends Lane, Aly and Sarah. It was so great getting to play tourist with them and show them all around Paris. Reconnecting with friends on the other side of world is a very wonderful experience.


Paris is a place where you're encouraged to slow down and reflect, something that is difficult to do in America. So despite the lack of Shamrock Shakes, cheap food and basketball, Paris has been a great place for me.

Vatican and the Papal blessing

On our last full day in Rome, we decided to go to the Vatican for the first papal blessing of Pope Francis. Unfortunately we missed the actual prayer but it was still a very special experience to be in the Vatican on the same day. As you can imagine, there was a plethora of people from all over the world who came to witness the Pope. We saw flags from Argentina, Mexico and all over the world being waved in the crowd.

We wanted to get into St. Peter's basilica but it was very difficult to find the entrance with the crowds so we approached two friendly looking deacons to ask for directions. As chance would have it, one of the deacons was responsible for the churches of Michigan and knew the catholic church in Owosso. It never ceases to amaze me how small our world is and this kind man gave us not only directions to the basilica but also a blessing for safe travels.

After pushing through the crowds we made it into the basilica and I was completely caught off guard by what was inside. I had no expectations for what the basilica would look like and it astounded me with its beauty. From seeing the Pieta to simply observing the magnificent scluptures and ornamentation of the building, the basilica was one of the most beauitful things I've ever seen. In addition, there were also prayer services occurring so a majestical chant floated around me as I walked through the church. For not being a particularly religious person, it was a very moving experience.

We were not able to see the Sistine Chapel because it was still closed for conclave. After leaving the Vatican we saw a few more sites in Rome and ended the day with a wonderful meal. Italy was a magical country and I'm so excited to be going back there and share such a beautiful place with my whole family.

Italian journey continued: Florence

After spending a few days in Rome, I caught a train and headed to Florence. Despite the fact that the train left at 8:30am it was impossible for me to sleep because I had a coveted window seat and the Italian countryside was too beautiful to sleep through. This trip validated my love for traveling by train because in addition to moving from A to B, I got to absorb more of Italy, including vineyards, chateaux and quaint towns. 

We arrived around late evening in Florence and the first thing we did was find gelato. My friend who studies in Florence gave us a great recommendation and it was hands down the best gelato I've ever had in my life. I had two cones just because I wanted to try as many flavors as possible. Our hostel was located close to the famous church in Florence and it was breathtaking to pass such an amazing structure multiple times in day.

That night we had an amazing dinner at a small restaurant called Il Latini. While it was slightly out of our student budget, it was definitely worth the expense. Our waiter absolutely loved us and kept bringing us additional dishes with the appropriate Italian wine. Our meal ended up being upwards of 4 hours but it was so enjoyable to have each dish explained to us by an Italian native and really sit and enjoy our food like the Europeans do. 

The next day we had absolutely flawless weather, which we took full advantage of. Our hostel offered us a walking tour of the city and we got to see all of the key historical sites and learn more about the history of Florence. We stopped at the main bridge in Florence which was conveniently located next to a gelato place, which we couldn't say no to. After the tour ended we went to go see Michelango's David which was one of the most breathtaking works of art I've ever seen. I've always been more interested in painting over sculpture but David was unlike anything I've ever witnessed. It was a flawless work of craftsmanship and I could have spent all day staring at it. Unfortunately though, our stomachs were grumbling and only an authentic Italian panini could help us. We went to a small place that was recommended by my friend and had I an incredibly flavorful and delicious panini.

Florence was a very different city from Rome and I wish I could have had more time to discover it but considering I ate gelato four times in the two days I was there it was probably for the best I didn't stick around any longer! 

My first few days in Roma

Hi everyone! I just returned from a wonderful trip to Rome and Florence, Italy. I've outlined my first day below but I will be writing another post for my days in Florence and my trip to the Vatican. Overall, Italy was such a beautiful country and as a complete art and food addict, I couldn't have been happier there.

We arrived in Rome late on Wednesday night and after some interesting Italian/English translation made it to our hostel where we instantly passed out.

The next day we walked all over Rome and covered pretty much the whole city. The first stop we made was the Colosseum. We got to walk around inside and it was amazing to see how well the building has stood the test of time. We also saw the Italian equivalent to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider which was in a magnificent structure.

After that we walked to another part of the city for pizza and the weather was nice enough that we got to eat outside. I had a mushroom and truffle oil pizza, probably one of the better things I've tasted! We then walked to the Pantheon and had some amazing gelato at a famous gelatori. After we walked to the Trevi Fountian and threw coins in.

We ended the day with a great meal in a small local place and went to some bars around the Italian university.

My favorite thing about Rome (besides the food of course) is all of the amazing architecture. It's truly incredible how ancient all of the buildings are and what good shape they are in. It's breathtaking to be wandering around the city and pass magnificent sculptures and buildings from ancient times.

While it was only one day I was pretty pleased with how much of the city we covered and the fact we did it all on foot. We definitely earned our gelato and pasta dishes!