Oliver Wendell Holmes once said that “A mind that has been stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” Paris was a good way to start the beginning of our new experiences. While getting ready for the trip I never thought things would be so big, so foreign, so different and so exciting. Paris was definitely all of these things. We were all so eager to see and take in everything we possibly could while roaming the streets of such a large city. Half the time we felt helpless trying to order a sandwich or a cup of coffee but we all soon realized what the culture is all about. Speaking a little French you learned in your pocket dictionary gets you a little bit further in the communication process; the French will usually speak English back to you, just as long as they see you try to relate to the language.
The moment I stepped foot into Hotel Ibis in Pigalle, I knew this trip would be a whole new world to me. I could not fit my suitcase in the elevator so I had to drag it up the circular stairs. I think we all gained a little arm muscle doing this. I knew I got good at this when on the last day of the trip we I ate a sandwich while dragging my suitcase up a large flight of stairs in Austria. Multitasking became a must for all of us. When we first got to Paris we went straight to the Ecole Superieure du Commerce Externe University. Despite how jetlagged and tired we were on the first half of the trip we still managed to climb 700 stairs to the top of the Eiffel tower, learn the metro system in a different language and get to the right destination, walk to the Louvre, take a ton of pictures and manage not to get pick pocketed. This in itself is quite the feat. Paris was fabulous not only because we got to know each other but because it was in a city of beautiful historical buildings and such rich culture. We did get to see most of these buildings on the boat ride on the Seine River and the morning that we walked around with the German students looking at French advertisements. We all did so much to see the city that it is hard to pinpoint what made it special for you. Just remember to look back at the pictures and smile because you know you are lucky to spend time with great people in a beautiful place. Also do not forget the wise words of the crazy lady at Hotel Ibis you will never suffer if you have Tammy’s socks, some make up and a delicious Hotel Ibis breakfast buffet in the morning.
