IAmSterdam: Midnight in Paris

I know its been a while since my trip to Paris actually took place, but the trip was just too magical and the memories too wonderful for me to pass up sharing my experiences with you! Paris is a city I've wanted to visit since I was a little girl. Seeing the Eiffel Tower has always been dream destination. Something about the graceful romance and the beauty of the lights at night....what little girl doesn't dream of visiting Paris? Finally having the opportunity to travel to a city of my dreams - the City of Light itself - was UNREAL!

I flew to Paris with Haley and Mariana, Haley's roommate and best friend from home. She visited Amsterdam for a week and then we all went to Paris together. Mariana is such a sweet angel! And of course Haley's always wonderful. Together, the two of them were simply the best travel companions!

Mariana!

The best thing about Paris is that there is SO much to do and see! Our days were filled to the brim with adventure and so many incredible photo opportunities. I don't think I've EVER taken more photos in one weekend than I did in Paris. Our first day in the city was a total whirlwind... First stop? Sacre Coeur!

The famous carousel at the bottom!

Looking at all the stairs I have to climb... Can you find me?

We made it!

Artistic Attempts.

The highest point in Paris! What an incredible view.

Next we were on to Moulin Rouge and our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower! Mariana and I both teared up a bit when we first saw it... Yep. Totally embarrassing. We were...umm...tired? By the time we returned to Amsterdam, we actually visited the Eiffel Tower three times!! Once during the day, once at night, and once in the morning to beat the hugeee line to climb to the top!

Place du Tertre - The famous artists' square near Sacre Coeur! We made a quick pit stop here for a much needed
lunch break complete with French bread and espresso of course!

Moulin Rougeee!

Fun in the rain!

First glimpse of the tower!

Fighting on all around the world.
(Notice the child in the bottom right corner...even he wishes he was a Trojan!!)

So happy!

Incredible experience <3

For dinner I tried escargot. And you know what? I LIKED IT. It tasted like butter and garlic. Sure it was a little chewy... but who can say no to butter and garlic? It also didn't hurt that we had a delicious pitcher of Bordeoux to wash it down with...

My first taste of true French escargot.

My favorite day in Paris was our trip to Versailles! I loved it. It was a beautiful day spent with great friends in one of the coolest places I've ever been. The gardens were ridiculous. I could have spent hourssss in the gardens alone. It was also interesting to explore the grand estate and learn about the different rooms of the mansion. Seeing Marie Antoinette's bedroom and the Hall of Mirrors was such a treat! I would return to Versailles in a heartbeat. Take me back!!!

P.S. Sorry for the overload of photos. I just couldn't help myself... (And these are only a few compared to the 300 I took just in Versailles!!)

Entering Versailles!

Hello palace.

Every room had the most incredible murals on the walls and ceiling!

The Hall of Mirrors

Only the start of the gardens!

Twins.

"Don't look at me."

Completely inconspicuous.

Casual sacrifice.

Jumping for joy! Look behind me.... So so so beautiful!

Haley's attempt... Perfection.

I SWEAR WE'RE NOT TOURISTS.

Happy girl.

After dinner it was time to visit the Eiffel Tower again. This time at night. The Eiffel Tower when it's all lit up at night is something that everyone deserves to see. So classic, and absolutely magical.

Just a giant nightlight, right?

We took quite a few selfies.... Doesn't this look like a green screen?? Too funny.
We couldn't get enough!

The only things we're missing are a loaf of French bread and a bottle of wine.

Light show!

All three evenings we ventured out into the city to experience the night life in Paris. I'll let the photos do the explaining...

Two for one in our hostel!

Reppin' the Deeg with a few sailors on the street. :)

Checkin out the Paris club scene.

Why yes, that is a French crepe with Nutella.

Waiting for the Subway at 6 AM. The first train of the morning!

Our last day in Paris was full of last minute sight-seeing! Haley had a paper to write, so Mariana and I got up as early as we could drag our little (or big in my case) butts out of bed to make it the Eiffel Tower to beat the line. We grabbed a quick piece of French bread on our way out the door (free breakfast at our hostel) and raced to the tower! We only had to wait in line for about 10 minutes and then we were on our way to the top!! Unfortunately it was a bit foggy, as you'll see in the photos, but still such a great experience. From the Eiffel Tower we were off to see Notre Dame and then the Louvre! Busy busy day! But so worth it. :)