Musee de l'Armee and Getting Lost!

I set out one day to go to the Rodin Museum, and was disappointed to find out when I got there that it was closing early that day for a Chanel event taking place there that night. Since I didn't recognize where I was I decided to just walk and see what I could find to do with my now free day. I turned a corner and came upon this beautiful view! I guess I should have kind of known where I was since the Invalides area is well-known, but I had just not ventured there yet.

I decided to take a peak inside this museum while I was there. Little did I know it was GIGANTIC, and I actually spent a few hours there.

To be honest I was first drawn to the museum because of these cool plant things that I wanted to get a closer look at. When I reached the gate is when I realized it was a museum. The building is absolutely beautiful (as are so many here).

I started in a section completely dedicated to armory. I wish I had a guide or at least an audio guide because I think it would have made it a more interesting expiernece. I wandered around this area for almost 2 hours actually and saw tons of old pieces of armor and guns and all that type of stuff.

Horseback!

Here are some funny looking helmets that I really enjoyed!

They had armor from many other countries other than France, which I thought was really cool because it was fun to see the contrast. This one is from Japan. I really liked the fluffy mustache haha.

Guns. I think I would have enjoyed this part more if I were a boy, but still, this was kind of cool to see.

A room full of cannons! Seriously this place is gigantic. At this point I had been there for two hours and had barely scratched the surface on what this entire museum had to offer. I saw a tour group of little kids (probably on a field trip) and tried to listen in to their tour. It was actually semi-successful because even though the teacher was speaking French, she was talking slow and with plain words so that the children could understand (and so could I! yay!)

 I ventured upstairs to the WW1 and WW2 sections of the museum. This part took a really long time as well. It was set up on multiple floors and as you walked through, there were years on the floor indicating a change in years of the war. I thought this was awesome because I got a feel for the order that everything happened and just HOW much happened year to year. Unfortunately, a lot of the descriptions were written in only French and I couldn't read them well enough to fully understand. But, there were enough visual for me to get the concept. This is again why it would have been helpful to have an audio guided tour, or a friend who is a history major there with me to explain everything! If you know me, you may know that history is my least favorite subject in school, despite the fact that I actually love LEARNING history. I just hate the memorization of dates and facts so much that it has sadly kept me away from most history courses. Anyway, my point is, I find all this stuff really interesting and it actually made me want to force myself to learn more.

I'm sure it would be interesting to see how the French perspective and history of the war compares to how it is talked about in the states. I got a little bit excited every time I saw something related to the US so I took pictures :) It made me miss home just a little bit.

I loved seeing the uniforms in person. They also had uniforms from all different countries and it was so cool to see the differences.

US propaganda

The museum was filled with really emotional and graphic photos and videos. Some were really hard to watch and look at.

Nearing the end of the tour - about 5 hours passed at this place so far, I was exhausted!

Once I exited the WW2 exhibit, I headed over to Napoleon's Tomb which is at this museum as well. If I've learned anything in France, it is that the world pretty much revolved around Napoleon. The size and grandeur of his tomb really emphasizes my point.

A grand statue.

At the back of the large room.

There were a few more exhibits in the museum but I just couldnt get myself to see them all. I was a little overwhelmed at this point, and was happy to see the sunny day outside. I really did love the museum, and I highly suggest it to anyone visiting Paris. My advice is to pick on or two things you really want to see and stick with it. My aimless wandering is what kept me there for so long. Anyway, this is the museum from a distance. you can see just how gigantic it is (especially considering this is just the front and it extends back a long way). At this point, I decided to continue my day of aimless wandering to see where I ended up. 

I walked for a while and ended up along the Seine. The leaves were just starting to change and it was absolutely gorgeous. I was tired and in search of a metro station at this point. One of the many things I love about Paris is that I feel that I can't REALLY got lost because as long as I can find a metro station, I can always get home. Plus, this wasn't a bad scenic route to wander along (:

I saw the Eiffel Tower in the distance and knew there was a metro stop nearby it, so I walked in that general direction. The only problem with this is that, even though the tower is so huge, the streets are so narrow and the buildings block the distant views, so I kept losing site of the tower! Anyway, eventually I turned a corner and TA DA! I found it!

I took a few picture while I was there because I wanted to take advantage of its view on the sunny day. While here, I was approached by 3 different pick-pockets in the span of about 20 minutes. I knew they were pickpockets for MANY reasons:

One: They were carrying clipboards. Now, I am not saying everyone who carries a clipboard in Paris wants to steal your iPhone, but we have been warned many times that a common tactic of pick pockets is to ask you to sign a petition and while you must use both hands (to hold the clipboard and sign your name), someone will come up behind you and take something out of your purse or pocket.

Two: Each of them approached me and asked me an identical question: "Hello, do you speak English?" This is a definite tourist trap. English speakers traveling in France I am sure find some comfort when they meet someone who speaks English. This question is probably makes some uninformed people feel comfortable and even trusting of the stranger.

Three: I was right next to the Eiffel Tower - this one's obvious.

Four: They all had "friends" around them doing the same thing, who are there to assist in taking somebody's things once they get caught up in a conversation.

Five: I was by myself, and therefore less of a threat.

Six: Unfortunately, I stick out like a sore thumb with my blonde hair. As much as it is my goal for people to not know I am foreign, it is pretty much unavoidable.

Anyway, any time one of these people come up to me I make sure to grip my purse tighter and just tell them "no" and keep walking. It has been a rough transition trying to be cold to strangers here, but it is something I am really glad I have gotten used to because it saves me from a lot of trouble.

Phew. One more picture! I am not sure how I really got into that whole pick pocket rant but my fingers just kept moving!

Anyway, this day was actually a LONG time ago and I just saw these pictures and decided they were worth sharing. I have so many pictures and days I wish I could recount. While I do have some lazy days where I sit in my room and catch up on Modern Family, my favorite days are days like those above. I love getting "lost" in the city. I actually sometimes prefer to wander by myself because then I have no responsibility but my own. And here in Paris, right now, My responsibilities are small which is such an unreal feeling. I can't even imagine what going back to UCLA is going to be like. It sort of scares me in a way, so I am soaking up all that I can here in this paradise life I am living!

I am currently at the American library in Paris doing research for my final paper in French Art. I am not even going to say how many weeks I have left because it makes me so sad to think i am leaving here. Anyway, look out for a few new blog posts. Once I get my first draft of this paper done I am back to blogging! Woohoo! I have so much to share <3

Switzerland: Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne, and Mount Titlis

The weekend after Oktoberfest I flew to Switzerland with three friends from my program. We stopped first in Geneva, and then made our way to Zurich. We had one day trip to Lucerne and the top of Mount Titlis, which made for quite an unforgettable experience. Mount Titlis is in the Swiss Alps and is 10,000 feet high at the summit!

I slept through most of the flight, but before I fell asleep I watched as we broke through the rainy Paris sky into this beautiful place. I have never seen such fluffy clouds. When we reunited in the airport after this flight two of my friends had taken the exact same pictures as me! haha

We de-boarded in Geneva and as we walked through the airport and found my first clue as to why I was about to love Switzerland. As if my nutella obsession wasn't already unhealthy in the US, Europe has just really intensified it. In most places they even have nutella gelato! Anyway, I just had to share this discovery. I have seen pictures of tubs this big before but I never thought they actually existed for sale full of nutella. I was wrong!

We spent our first meal at a fondu restaurant down the street. The stench of that place was intense. A few of my friends really could not handle it and debated if they could even make it through dinner having to smell the cheese smell all night, but for some reason I didn't really mind it. The cheese was shared and placed in the middle of the table. We were given bread, lots of bread, to dip in the cheese. The only thing I wished for was that we were given vegetables or apples to dip as well, but the cheese was incredible so I guess I can't really complain. Before going to Switzerland (and even Paris, I guess) I was really not a fan of swiss cheese but this trip actually changed my mind a little bit. I never thought that would happen!

There is only one hostel in all of Geneva and it is actually relatively new. When we booked our room, we selected a 6 person room for the four of us to stay in. When we arrived, they told us they didn't have a 6 person room available with 4 empty beds that night. After talking to them back and fourth and realizing we were not going to win our argument to try and get some of money back, they had one more suggestion. They were planning on expanding anyway and were currently setting up at 8 person room on the top floor. As we got there, they were literally carrying IKEA furniture up the stairs and assembling the bunk beds as we spoke. He said we were welcome to stay there once it was finished later that day and that there may or not be people joining us in the room later. We told him that would be fine, and left our stuff while they set up out room. It was actually kind of nice that all the sheets, pillows, comforters, and everything was perfectly new! Of all the hostels I've stayed, beside the disorganization, I liked this one best! We had a fun night playing cards in our room and exploring the city.

The next day we just walked around town. We didn't have a set time to leave, but we were basically just in Geneva because the flight there was incredibly cheaper than directly to Zurich. The people in Geneva actually speak French, which was cool but also slightly confusing because it didn't exactly feel like we were in a new country yet. Geographically, it is REALLY close to France still!

Taking a walk around the water!

Luckily I was used to the cold after being in Germany the previous weekend haha.

I can't take credit for this photo because I didn't take it (I stole it from a friend on our trip) but I think it is awesome and wanted to share! There were swans ALL over Switzerland. Swans were as prevalent in Switzerland as pidgins are in Paris! (At least that is what it seemed like to me).

Another cool picture I did not take.

Sometime in mid-morning we hoped on a train over to Zurich. It took about 3 hours total but it was a beautiful ride. We napped a little and played games to pass the time. Here are some pretty colorful buildings!

Oh that swiss chocolate. What they say is true, swiss chocolate is so much better. We saw this store in both Geneva and Zurich and after running into it multiple times we had to go in. As you can see, they sold chocolate in sheets and would tear off pieces for people to buy. I had a blackberry dark chocolate piece and I swear it changed my life. I wanted to bring some home but they said it looses its freshness in about 4 months :( So, you'll all just have to go to Switzerland and experience for yourselves (:

From Zurich, we went on a 9 hour tour to the top of Mount Titlis, stopping in Lucerne on the way. We booked through a tour company because it ended up being cheaper than taking a train to the base of the mountain and buying tickets ourselves. It was nice because we got a guided tour or the area and found out a lot more about Switzerland in general. The lion commemorates Swiss guards who were killed in France during the French Revolution. You can really see the lions sad and pained expression, and it was actually quite moving to look at.

The town of Lucerne! So, so, so beautiful! It was my favorite of the three towns we saw even though we were only there for about 2 hours.

The famous bridge in Lucerne! The original bridge built down and this is actually the remade one. It added a lot to the beauty of the small town.

Another picture (:

...and one on the bridge!

We ran into a long fruit and vegetable market as we explored. After looking closer we realized this was apple juice and decided to give it a try. They poured it out of this big container into recycled water bottles. I am not exaggerating when I say this was the BEST apple juice I have ever had in my life. i know I saw that a lot on this blog, but this time actually trust me! It tasted like I was biting into the juiciest, sweetest apple ever. I wanted to drink it all but tried my best to savor it throughout the day. I occasionally have Lucerne apple juice withdrawals here in Paris :(

So happy with our juice!

Okay, how unreal is this? This is just at the base of mount Titlis after we got on the gondola to take us up the mountain. It seriously looks like a painting. As I always say, this picture doesn't even capture it fully. It is probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

I love this one because it reminds me so much of Christmas. I think this would make a perfect postcard. Even just looking back at these photos a few weeks later makes me want to go back so badly. I love snow and I love the times I have been to the snow in California, but this was just a totally different level. The frosted tops of the trees and mountains is perfect and so so so beautiful.

There were three gondolas we had to take to reach the top. I believe this was the last one. I was shocked when I realized we were actually ABOVE the clouds. The third Gondola was cool because it rotated 360 degrees so we were able to see the mountain from all views.

Another breathtaking view. I have never seen anything like this in my life. The panoramic view was spectacular and everything was gigantic. I felt like a tiny little ant among on top of these huge mountains.

The air was so fresh and chilly. When we were at the base, I thought about not bringing up my big white coat because I felt fine in just my red jacket, but OH MY was I glad I brought it up. It was -10 Celsius and the wind was slapping snow into our faces. I have never been so cold in my life. (I took my coat off for this picture because the white would blend into the snow haha). I wore two pairs of jeans, a shirt, two sweaters, my leather jacket, this red jacket, and a big snow coat. It was absolutely worth dealing with the cold to see this place but, again, I WAS SO COLD!

We were lucky that the day we went was actually sunny and "nice" because we were told there are a lot of days you get to the top and cannot see anything because everything is just grey. I cannot imagine how cold a "bad" day up here would be. This is the summit where we were allowed to play around in the snow and hangout. There was also a five story building there with restaurants, cozy lounges, hot chocolate places, etc.

We took a small chair lift down to get a different view. I love how you can see the clouds in this one.

The world's highest suspension bridge! We walked across this footbridge timidly because it shook every time you took a step. The people who worked there assured us it was safe. Still, it was a little scary but very exhilarating and SO worth it for the view.

Another awesome shot of the Swiss Alps. Mount Titlis is a place of "eternal snow" meaning that there is snow all year round, every day, all the time. Wow.

The less glamorous side of trying to capture this day in pictures. The wind was so intense that my hair could not cooperate for pictures.

At the other end of the suspension we found our way to the "ice grotto" which is a huge space dug into the side of the mountain that is set up like a little house almost. There were rooms and hallways, and EVERYTHING was made of ice: the floor, ceiling, walls, etc. We're not actually licking the walls here but I guess we could have haha. It was surprisingly warm inside and was a nice break from the intense wind.

Staying warm inside for a bit!

Right before we left I asked my friend to snap some pictures of me with his nice camera. I like how they turned out! I also hope you cannot tell how absolutely freezing I am here! At one point, I remember licking my lips and then complaining a few minute later that my mouth was so cold i could barely move it to talk. My friend looked over and said, "you have ice ON your lips!" I guess my saliva had frozen, which explains why I was able to peel a piece of ice off my lips. It gives me shivers just thinking about it.

And what amazing worldly experience would be complete without representing DG? Here's another wave picture, as promised, this time from 10,000 feet high in the Swiss Alps!

Okay one more, I cannot get enough. After we were kicked off the mountain around 4 pm, we headed inside for some hot chocolate. We sat next to a "window" that actually spanned the entirety of a wall and looked out over the Alps was we enjoyed warm hot chocolate. Pictures could not do this justice because the glare made them come out funny, but it was just such a "pinch me" moment. I remember thinking, "Is this really my life? I am so lucky." Seriously, it astounds me almost everyday that I get to have this amazingly incredible experience both living in a city that I now adore and exploring so many other incredible places. I am just so fortunate.

The town of Zurich! Besides our amazing day in the alps, we had a great time exploring this town! It sits on the water and has a friendly feel. Everyone here actually speaks German, or Swiss German, which to me sounded pretty much the same. If I had to compare, I think Swiss German sounds a little bit more harsh than what I heard in Munich. Either way, it was really strange to be in a country where they didn't really have their "own" prevalent lagnauge. I had to keep reminding myself where I was because after seeing so many German words I just assumed I was in Germany.

Since most things were closed on Sunday, we spent our time just walking through the town, popping into some churches, and sitting by this water and watching the swans fight for bread. We had a view of the alps in the background and it was a gorgeous day (actually the warmest we had all weekend).

Oh, here are the little trams that are everywhere in Switzerland. It may be hard to tell from the picture but they are SO skinny and cute!

The mean swan. We watched this one fight all the others for an hour or two on that last day. She also had her wings fluffed up like this the whole time while the others looked like normal nice swans.

Not too many people that I know who are studying abroad got the chance to visit Switzerland, but honestly my experience here would not be the same if I didn't go. The atmosphere was much more relaxed and laid back, and the people were all very nice. I preferred Zurich to Geneva just because there wasn't too much to do in Geneva and Zurich was just more populated and lively. If you get the chance to visit Switzerland, you MUST do a tour of some sort. As much as I liked the towns, it really was that visit to the Swiss Alps that took my breath away. It was pretty expensive for a college students budget but the four of us agreed we HAD to do it while we were there and had the chance. Who knows when the next time is that I will be in Switzerland? I also highly recommend going to the actual Swiss Alps instead of the smaller mountains they offer tours of surrounding it. Our bus actually dropped a few people off at these smaller mountains before we made it to Mount Titlis and after they got off our bus tour guide said, "Congratulations on making the right choice, your day is going to be so much better than theirs. Mount Titlis is way more spectacular!" That made us all laugh but also feel good that we splurged for the more expensive Mount Titlis tour!

If you read my Oktoberfest post, you heard me raving about Munich and just the whole weekend in general. I still stand by my statement that Germany and Oktoberfest was my favorite weekend of traveling, BUT if I had to pick my favorite single experience it would be that tour to the top of the Swiss Alps. I know I will look back on that moment, standing at the top seeing the world from so high up, and always remember that tingly happy feeling!

I always love returning back to Paris after a weekend away, and the same stayed true when coming home from Switerland. But, there was a moment after I unpacked and looked through my photos that I thought, "I want to go back right now. That was way too cool."

This trip has given me that "travel bug" everyone talks about. I tried to fight it because it is doing sad things to my bank account, but I also adapted the mentality that I need to take advantage of this opportunity while I am here, young, and have less responsibility than I will in just a few years.