I've never been one to cook.. I could follow most recipes but I was never a fan. When I started living with roommates, we agreed that everyone taking a night to cook was fair. My day is Tuesday, and somehow I avoided making dinner the first two weeks. Eventually, however, I knew I would have to face it. This past week, I looked at all of the food we have, realized that none of my recipes would work, and horror struck with the fact that I would have to wing it. (!!!!!!!!)
Ok but turns out, it was way easier than I thought. Of course, the meal was really simple. I just threw some potatoes and bacon in a pan and fried it, boiled broccoli, and made garlic bread. Perhaps amateur, but my roommates liked it so I'm counting it as a success.
My other topic: Reality check! I was looking up flights for Amsterdam, and I just had this lightbulb moment of how awesome my life is right now. All the time my roommates and I are like, "Woah. We're living in EUROPE right now!". Just casually booking an $80 flight to Amsterdam. Casually going on a weekend trip to Poland. Eating my weight in chocolate and croissants (not really though... yet). Going to London and Dublin next week. No big deal when you live in Europe!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!
Friday, September 23, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
One Month Down!!
I didn't even realize that I didn't post this week. Whoops!
I think this might've been the hardest week so far. Not that it was in the extreme, but it wasn't a party. I got a little sick on Wednesday, and that's when I got homesick. I was laying on the couch, trying to be optimistic about the situation, but all I wanted was for my mom to walk in, stroke my hair, and feel my forehead like she always does... *sigh* There's only one good place to get sick, and that's when Mom's there to baby you. But alas! It left quite easily (I figured out a big portion of the problem was coming from some stupid vitamins I was taking).
I realize that my opinion of the kids relies 99% on how I'm going to handle their craziness. This week I didn't really have the energy to fight for their attention and lost my patience a few times. Most of the time I would stare at the misbehaving child until they looked at me, and then slowly, quietly, raise my finger to my lips and "shhh..please". Ha! It worked most of the time. Some of the students noticed something was wrong though; they kept asking, "Why are you so sad?". I'd just tell them I wasn't sad, I was tired. Usually I'm super perky. In fact some of the kids like to tell me, "Teacher Lindsay, you crazy!".
One day, I was walking to the school and all I wanted was an apple or an orange. We walked into the building and Rasa turns around, hands Cameron a bag and says, "Apples for you". What?! Yes!!! Miracle of the week!
Also, one day Kornelijus (one of the students.. PS their "j" is pronounced as y so it's really Korneliyus) kept rocking forward and backward in his chair. I was trying to get him to stop when he rocked back too far. His eyes grew wide and he frantically reached for the desk but alas, it was too late. He hit the floor and then sheepishly curled into the fetus position. I was trying so hard not to laugh! Evil teacher Lindsay! His face was priceless though.. And I couldn't help but think that he had it coming.
I swear, the temperature has been dropping significantly every day. And the sun goes down noticeably sooner each day. So yesterday, we went to Akropolis and I bought my winter coat! It is super cute, complete with a fur hood. I also bought a thicker jacket because mine is a little too thin for this weather. We got some gelato (how could we not?) and went home. Everything was fine and dandy, I took my coat out of the bag, tried it on again, flipped the hood- and something smacked my forehead. Huh? I looked, only to find... One of those stupid plastic things they're supposed to take off in the store! Noooooo! I have the worst luck with these! At least this time I don't live 3 hours away.
Church was super awesome! I am loving this cold weather so much. Granted, it's not that cold, but to Moab it would feel like mid-October and I love it so much. I'm still so grateful for the missionaries who translate. I played piano for relief society! I mean, I just played right hand because I don't know how to play the two hymns we sang, but I was so happy I got to play anyways.
It's crazy to me that it's been a month! Time is going by so fast and I'm trying not to let it slip through my fingers. We laugh here because America really does sound so foreign! Sometimes it's like, "Wow, we're going to America at the end of this!". Haha there is nothing like home. Or the food at home. We can't find any ground beef, only ground chicken! It's not bad, just different. I've definitely made a list of food that I am going to eat when I get back. But most of the time I don't like to think about going home, so enough of that. I've decided that I'm going to pack as much chocolate from here that I can because I'm not even sure Hershey's knows what chocolate is. Haha but really, this chocolate is amazing!
I think this might've been the hardest week so far. Not that it was in the extreme, but it wasn't a party. I got a little sick on Wednesday, and that's when I got homesick. I was laying on the couch, trying to be optimistic about the situation, but all I wanted was for my mom to walk in, stroke my hair, and feel my forehead like she always does... *sigh* There's only one good place to get sick, and that's when Mom's there to baby you. But alas! It left quite easily (I figured out a big portion of the problem was coming from some stupid vitamins I was taking).
I realize that my opinion of the kids relies 99% on how I'm going to handle their craziness. This week I didn't really have the energy to fight for their attention and lost my patience a few times. Most of the time I would stare at the misbehaving child until they looked at me, and then slowly, quietly, raise my finger to my lips and "shhh..please". Ha! It worked most of the time. Some of the students noticed something was wrong though; they kept asking, "Why are you so sad?". I'd just tell them I wasn't sad, I was tired. Usually I'm super perky. In fact some of the kids like to tell me, "Teacher Lindsay, you crazy!".
One day, I was walking to the school and all I wanted was an apple or an orange. We walked into the building and Rasa turns around, hands Cameron a bag and says, "Apples for you". What?! Yes!!! Miracle of the week!
Also, one day Kornelijus (one of the students.. PS their "j" is pronounced as y so it's really Korneliyus) kept rocking forward and backward in his chair. I was trying to get him to stop when he rocked back too far. His eyes grew wide and he frantically reached for the desk but alas, it was too late. He hit the floor and then sheepishly curled into the fetus position. I was trying so hard not to laugh! Evil teacher Lindsay! His face was priceless though.. And I couldn't help but think that he had it coming.
I swear, the temperature has been dropping significantly every day. And the sun goes down noticeably sooner each day. So yesterday, we went to Akropolis and I bought my winter coat! It is super cute, complete with a fur hood. I also bought a thicker jacket because mine is a little too thin for this weather. We got some gelato (how could we not?) and went home. Everything was fine and dandy, I took my coat out of the bag, tried it on again, flipped the hood- and something smacked my forehead. Huh? I looked, only to find... One of those stupid plastic things they're supposed to take off in the store! Noooooo! I have the worst luck with these! At least this time I don't live 3 hours away.
 |
| WHY?! |
It's crazy to me that it's been a month! Time is going by so fast and I'm trying not to let it slip through my fingers. We laugh here because America really does sound so foreign! Sometimes it's like, "Wow, we're going to America at the end of this!". Haha there is nothing like home. Or the food at home. We can't find any ground beef, only ground chicken! It's not bad, just different. I've definitely made a list of food that I am going to eat when I get back. But most of the time I don't like to think about going home, so enough of that. I've decided that I'm going to pack as much chocolate from here that I can because I'm not even sure Hershey's knows what chocolate is. Haha but really, this chocolate is amazing!
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| Beautiful foggy mornings |
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| Get used to this cutie pie! |
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| Gelato!!! |
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Spiritual Thanksgiving
We were finally able to go to church yesterday and I was so excited! I couldn't sleep past 7:00 so I got up. They had asked us to speak about 3 weeks ago, so I figured they had asked somebody else, but just in case, I had a mini talk as a plan. I wrote about prayer, because that has become very important to me. We had no problems (again, say whaaat) getting to church, and we were not expected to talk, which was kinda nice. The guy who did speak, his topic was receiving answers to our prayers! It was crazy to me that I had prepared a talk about prayer, but then had a bunch of questions that were answered by the talk given at church.
I'm so grateful for the missionaries. They translate so well (even if sometimes they whisper into the headset that they don't know how to translate it, they got it about 90%). Church would almost be hard to go to without them, because we cannot understand Lithuanian to save our lives! There are even sister missionaries here, and they are so nice! Sunday school and relief society are that much better when you can understand what's going on... ha! Also, turns out they are lacking in piano players, so maybe I will get a chance to play here. We'll see!
Luckily, the ward clerk speaks a good amount of English, so Cameron and I were able to transfer our records! In a missionary-prep way, Cameron is pretty much my companion. She was so patient, enthusiastic, and encouraging and I love her! When the clerk (I can't remember his name let alone spell it) wrote down my name, he spelled it wrong but I figured it wasn't a big deal, plus I wanted to catch the bus. So we walked outside, but I just had a really anxious feeling. Not only about the records, but also because I wanted to talk to the branch president and I didn't want to wait until next week. I kind of mentioned it to Cameron, and she just said, "Let's go back!". She wasn't even mad! I was so grateful. Turns out that spelling is key when you're transferring records (duh... *face palm*) so we fixed that and then I met with the president (whose name I don't even know) and the clerk translated for us. It was a super awesome experience and I definitely did not feel anxious leaving the second time.
I love Sundays, and the gospel, and church, and missionaries, and let's just say yesterday was so great!
Saturday, September 10, 2016
What is This Feeling
This week of teaching between me and the kids was 15% "Oh, you're getting the language!", and 85% "ENGLISH ONLY! Shhhhh.... Listen to teacher", which eventually turned into staring down the kids until they noticed. It is a battle field! I think it was Thursday when I was trying to get them to quiet down, it wasn't working, and then they opened a cupboard and started to take toys out when I just froze with wide eyes and thought, "What am I doing here?". Might turn into a criminal. Who knows? Probably not though, it's only one kid that I really want to lock the door on.
Anyways, yesterday one of the little girls was being really shy (she's usually really gregarious). I asked her what was wrong and she wanted her mom, so I just stroked her hair and she gave me a hug. Then she wouldn't leave my side, so I sat with her and she played with my necklace and we drew farm animals. She is so darling! Then another little girl came over to draw and they both know English way more than I thought they did.
My lesson yesterday was a "Pirate Treasure Hunt". We made eye patches and they had to find clues that led to cookies. It really only worked with the last class, but that's ok! I have one class during the day that is obsessed with the Hokey Pokey. We are probably going to sing that way too much, but it is so fun! They think it's hilarious. After school one of my students ran up to me and gave me her arts and crafts project. Aw! And another boy gave me something he made (a paper box) when we were drawing in class on Thursday. Yesterday when I was cleaning up everything after the kids were gone, I picked up the farm animal drawings and I thought to myself, "Maybe I should keep this.. Nah. But when I leave I'm not going to see these kids again.. What?!". I actually got a little teary! I thought these kids were demons but turns out I kinda love them anyways.
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| Yo ho! |
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Vive la France
I am finally back in Kaunas, so I will finally dive into details about Paris! This is gonna take a while.
First off, have I mentioned how much I loved it? I will try not to say it too many times, but I hope my point has been made! #BLESSED
When we left for the airport on Wednesday, we had to take a bus to Akropolis, then another to Vilnius. On the way to Akropolis this little old lady got on the bus so I scooted over and she sat by me. She said something in Lithuanian, and I just kinda smiled and said I don't speak Lithuanian. She just paused for a second, and then went off on a story. I had no idea what she was saying so I just smiled and nodded! Haha it worked until she stopped talking and looked at me expectantly. I reiterated what I said before and then she realized. It was our turn to get off so I mumbled "Atsiprasau", and she clutched my arm for a second and said, "Aciu". It was awkward but so sweet!
The flight over wasn't very eventful. I had a window seat! Too bad I wasn't on the side to see Paris, but the other city lights were still cool. The couple next to me were drinking a TON of wine! By the end of the flight the lady was literally leaning over me to see out the window. In my head I kept thinking, "Hmph! Well excuuuuse me!". When we did land I was so excited to hear people speak french! We got a taxi and started driving into Paris. It took about an hour because we landed at Beauvais, but when we did, oh man! I already wrote about how I squealed when I saw the Eiffel Tower. It was so magical to me! All of the buildings were adorably french. Even our hostel! I guess they don't believe in A/C though.
The next morning, we got up around 9:30 and I couldn't help thinking, "What are we doing here? We're in Paris!! We should be exploring!", but I think I was overly excited compared to everyone else. We found a little bakery and I got my first croissant, or two.. They were fabulous, by the way. I was surprised by how much french I remember. I was able to translate some things for my roommates! Not that much... But still! After that we went back to the hostel to talk to the manager because we had a bed bug problem. They fixed it. Let's not talk about that though.
Our first destination was the Eiffel Tower, of course! Can I just say the metro system is twenty billion times easier and better than the Kaunas bus system? It did help that we had an app, but really. Three of us decided we wanted to ride to the top! The line was not as long as I expected. The view was incredible!! My brain couldn't comprehend that I was on the Eiffel Tower. Craziness! We went back down the stairs way, which was also super cool.
Next, we went to Le Louvre. On the way there, I was beside/behind Desteny when we were getting on the metro and I saw some girls unzip her bag. (In my head I'm thinkin, "Ah nah!") I quickly put my hand over the bag, and then one of the girls started tapping me on the arm. I think she was trying to distract me..? She didn't do a very good job of it. They got mad and started making kicking notions towards us and then even spit at us! Geez. Luckily the doors closed and that was that. We were all careful from then on.
The Louvre was absolutely amazing! The outside was so beautiful. And way bigger than I thought it would be! Of course, everything in Paris was bigger than I expected. The same three of us went inside. Turns out, international students get in for free! That was super nice. As we entered, I couldn't help but squeal again! It was so exciting! That palace is ginormous though. We were in there for an hour and only saw 2 1/2 wings! The Greek, Italian, and Egyptian. Everything inside was even more beautiful! Naturally we found the Mona Lisa, and then the Venus de Milo! The stairs throughout the Louvre are marble.. And smoother than a baby's bottom. And also, slightly slanted. Do you see where I'm going with this? So many people slipped on those stairs! I felt so bad but it was hilarious how many people fell down.
After the Louvre we were a little tired so we sat by the River Seine and relaxed. And then we were hungry! We found an awesome Vietnamese restaurant by our hostel. Yummy!! Then, we retired for the evening.
Day two: We started off with Notre Dame. It was so breathtaking and sacred. I loved the stained glass! There was even a congregation worshipping. We walked through and then came out and realized there was a movie being filmed right there! A crew member kept pushing the crowd back. So, it was a bit crowded but still an awesome experience.
The next on our list was Arc de Triomphe. It was a little confusing getting there, but once we did it was worth it! Naturally, it was way bigger in person. We just walked around it for a little while.
We found a cute place to eat and then took a nap back at the hostel. Remember how I said they don't believe in A/C? I woke up so sweaty! Haha but the outside breeze felt really good. We went back to the Eiffel Tower to take pictures, and then found a nice spot to watch it light up! I'll admit, I didn't think of it so much pretty as I did awesome, but at night it was so lovely! Some of the girls wanted to ride a carousel, but I was content to just watch the lights. At the top of every hour, it sparkles! I loved it so much!
We went back to the hostel, but we also discovered there was a crepe place really close so Paris, Cameron, and I went to check it out. It was a tiny shop with about 15 people crammed in there already. I was a little nervous at first but they were so nice! We ordered our crepes and then the guy pulled out Connect Four and said if we won, our crepes were free, but if we lost, we had to take a picture on his snapchat. Of course, he's pro and he won, but I had so much fun! Everyone was laughing and they were so welcoming! I always thought French people would be snobby.. But everyone in Paris was nicer than Lithuanians. (Shame on me) P.S. The crepe was AMAZING!
On our third day (and last), it was our head teacher, Paris', birthday! We went to Sacre-Coeur first, which is the highest point in Paris and has an awesome cathedral at the top. I don't have much to say except what I have been saying- it was beautiful! We climbed so many stairs to get there. I also tried a macaroon! It was pretty good.
We also went back to Le Louvre and soaked our feet in the fountain! I thought that was super fun. Paris wanted to ride a ferris wheel, so we walked over. On our way, a huge crowd of people just started walking quickly past us. It was insane! And they were all on their phones. It was funny but I'm dying to know what so many people were interested in. It was like a human stampede! The view from the ferris wheel was awesome! We were right down Champs Elysees, which has the Arc de Triomphe at the end so that was an epic view. We could see all of Paris! I love this city...
We stopped by Starbucks and then sat on the lawn at the Eiffel Tower for a little longer. I've never been offered so much beer! Haha so this is peer pressure ;) Not really. It was pretty annoying after a while. We walked back to the metro, and then rode to a restaurant we liked. I got two more crepes because how could I not? (On the way home I also got another croissant).
This morning when we got up to leave, it was raining. Desteny said, "Paris is crying for us!". She might've been joking but if I'm being honest, I cried just a little when we left. Paris, je t'aime! A bientot.
First off, have I mentioned how much I loved it? I will try not to say it too many times, but I hope my point has been made! #BLESSED
When we left for the airport on Wednesday, we had to take a bus to Akropolis, then another to Vilnius. On the way to Akropolis this little old lady got on the bus so I scooted over and she sat by me. She said something in Lithuanian, and I just kinda smiled and said I don't speak Lithuanian. She just paused for a second, and then went off on a story. I had no idea what she was saying so I just smiled and nodded! Haha it worked until she stopped talking and looked at me expectantly. I reiterated what I said before and then she realized. It was our turn to get off so I mumbled "Atsiprasau", and she clutched my arm for a second and said, "Aciu". It was awkward but so sweet!
The flight over wasn't very eventful. I had a window seat! Too bad I wasn't on the side to see Paris, but the other city lights were still cool. The couple next to me were drinking a TON of wine! By the end of the flight the lady was literally leaning over me to see out the window. In my head I kept thinking, "Hmph! Well excuuuuse me!". When we did land I was so excited to hear people speak french! We got a taxi and started driving into Paris. It took about an hour because we landed at Beauvais, but when we did, oh man! I already wrote about how I squealed when I saw the Eiffel Tower. It was so magical to me! All of the buildings were adorably french. Even our hostel! I guess they don't believe in A/C though.
The next morning, we got up around 9:30 and I couldn't help thinking, "What are we doing here? We're in Paris!! We should be exploring!", but I think I was overly excited compared to everyone else. We found a little bakery and I got my first croissant, or two.. They were fabulous, by the way. I was surprised by how much french I remember. I was able to translate some things for my roommates! Not that much... But still! After that we went back to the hostel to talk to the manager because we had a bed bug problem. They fixed it. Let's not talk about that though.
Our first destination was the Eiffel Tower, of course! Can I just say the metro system is twenty billion times easier and better than the Kaunas bus system? It did help that we had an app, but really. Three of us decided we wanted to ride to the top! The line was not as long as I expected. The view was incredible!! My brain couldn't comprehend that I was on the Eiffel Tower. Craziness! We went back down the stairs way, which was also super cool.
Next, we went to Le Louvre. On the way there, I was beside/behind Desteny when we were getting on the metro and I saw some girls unzip her bag. (In my head I'm thinkin, "Ah nah!") I quickly put my hand over the bag, and then one of the girls started tapping me on the arm. I think she was trying to distract me..? She didn't do a very good job of it. They got mad and started making kicking notions towards us and then even spit at us! Geez. Luckily the doors closed and that was that. We were all careful from then on.
The Louvre was absolutely amazing! The outside was so beautiful. And way bigger than I thought it would be! Of course, everything in Paris was bigger than I expected. The same three of us went inside. Turns out, international students get in for free! That was super nice. As we entered, I couldn't help but squeal again! It was so exciting! That palace is ginormous though. We were in there for an hour and only saw 2 1/2 wings! The Greek, Italian, and Egyptian. Everything inside was even more beautiful! Naturally we found the Mona Lisa, and then the Venus de Milo! The stairs throughout the Louvre are marble.. And smoother than a baby's bottom. And also, slightly slanted. Do you see where I'm going with this? So many people slipped on those stairs! I felt so bad but it was hilarious how many people fell down.
After the Louvre we were a little tired so we sat by the River Seine and relaxed. And then we were hungry! We found an awesome Vietnamese restaurant by our hostel. Yummy!! Then, we retired for the evening.
Day two: We started off with Notre Dame. It was so breathtaking and sacred. I loved the stained glass! There was even a congregation worshipping. We walked through and then came out and realized there was a movie being filmed right there! A crew member kept pushing the crowd back. So, it was a bit crowded but still an awesome experience.
The next on our list was Arc de Triomphe. It was a little confusing getting there, but once we did it was worth it! Naturally, it was way bigger in person. We just walked around it for a little while.
We found a cute place to eat and then took a nap back at the hostel. Remember how I said they don't believe in A/C? I woke up so sweaty! Haha but the outside breeze felt really good. We went back to the Eiffel Tower to take pictures, and then found a nice spot to watch it light up! I'll admit, I didn't think of it so much pretty as I did awesome, but at night it was so lovely! Some of the girls wanted to ride a carousel, but I was content to just watch the lights. At the top of every hour, it sparkles! I loved it so much!
We went back to the hostel, but we also discovered there was a crepe place really close so Paris, Cameron, and I went to check it out. It was a tiny shop with about 15 people crammed in there already. I was a little nervous at first but they were so nice! We ordered our crepes and then the guy pulled out Connect Four and said if we won, our crepes were free, but if we lost, we had to take a picture on his snapchat. Of course, he's pro and he won, but I had so much fun! Everyone was laughing and they were so welcoming! I always thought French people would be snobby.. But everyone in Paris was nicer than Lithuanians. (Shame on me) P.S. The crepe was AMAZING!
On our third day (and last), it was our head teacher, Paris', birthday! We went to Sacre-Coeur first, which is the highest point in Paris and has an awesome cathedral at the top. I don't have much to say except what I have been saying- it was beautiful! We climbed so many stairs to get there. I also tried a macaroon! It was pretty good.
We also went back to Le Louvre and soaked our feet in the fountain! I thought that was super fun. Paris wanted to ride a ferris wheel, so we walked over. On our way, a huge crowd of people just started walking quickly past us. It was insane! And they were all on their phones. It was funny but I'm dying to know what so many people were interested in. It was like a human stampede! The view from the ferris wheel was awesome! We were right down Champs Elysees, which has the Arc de Triomphe at the end so that was an epic view. We could see all of Paris! I love this city...
We stopped by Starbucks and then sat on the lawn at the Eiffel Tower for a little longer. I've never been offered so much beer! Haha so this is peer pressure ;) Not really. It was pretty annoying after a while. We walked back to the metro, and then rode to a restaurant we liked. I got two more crepes because how could I not? (On the way home I also got another croissant).
This morning when we got up to leave, it was raining. Desteny said, "Paris is crying for us!". She might've been joking but if I'm being honest, I cried just a little when we left. Paris, je t'aime! A bientot.
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| The metro stations |
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| Peace out, Lithuania! |
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| Bonjour, France! |
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| On the Eiffel Tower!! |
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| Well, darn it ;) |
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| Inside le Louvre! |
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| One of the hallways (!!!!) |
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| Pictures don't do it justice |
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| Mona Lisa!! |
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| Raphael's works |
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| Italian wing! HUGE |
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| Venus de Milo! |
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| Egyptian wing! |
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| Amazing street art |
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| River Seine! |
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| Our first hostel! It looks so cute and french |
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| Chocolate filled donut from McD's |
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| Notre Dame.. Beautiful! |
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| Stained glass in Notre Dame |
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| Actors outside Notre Dame! |
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| Arc de Triomphe! |
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| Ooh la la! |
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| Under the Arc de Triompe |
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| Come here often? ;) |
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| My eyes have never before beheld such beauty... And class ;) |
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| Just look at it!! |
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| Behind the Sacre-Coeur Basilica |
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| Sacre-Coeur! |
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| Vanilla macaron- sweet! |
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| My favorite shop in Paris. Best crepes ever! |
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| The ads for the metro.. |
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| View from Sacre-Coeur |
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| Cobblestone! |
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| Soaking our feet at the Louvre |
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| View from the Ferris Wheel |
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| This is me dreaming that the plane is headed back to France ;) |
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