Sacré-Coeur

The view from the steps of Sacré-Coeur

Sacré-Coeur

Doug's awesome picture

The roof before heading down the last staircase.

Stairs back down to Montartre

On Sunday Doug and I decided to take the metro over to Montmartre to see the Sacré-Coeur basilica.  Fortunately for us, we got to Sacré-Coeur about the same time as the sun was setting, which was really beautiful since the basilica sits on top of a little hill that overlooks the city.  We decided to go to the top of the dome, which means climbing up 300 narrow, windy old steps and then crossing the roof of the cathedral to climb up another narrow staircase to reach the top.  Normally I'm not someone who gets claustrophobic, but that staircase really pushed my limits!  It was definitely worth it once we got to the top though, since there was only two other people up there, which pretty amazing since most all of the tourist sights are bustling with people, so the peace and quiet was very much appreciated.  This was definitely one of my favorite things that I did in Paris, I hope you all enjoy the pictures!

Sunday market

Each quarter of Paris has its own weekly markets, where all the locals buy their fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, bread and of course cheese.  So on Sunday, Doug and I walked around the market closest to where the hotel was.  Everything was so fresh and colorful and also it was really interesting to see a glimpse of the lives of local Parisians.  

Paris, part two

The next day, Saturday, after taking a panoramic bus tour through the city and seeing Notre Dame, some friends and I walked around the Latin Quarter in search of somewhere to eat.  We ended up eating at this really good French restaurant, which was decorated really cute inside and that had delicious food with simple, hit-the-spot flavors.  I ordered onion soup, which was so perfect on a chilly fall day especially since it came with yummy cheese and fresh croutons.  Halee ordered croque madame (a cheesy grilled sandwich with egg) and Doug ordered a croque monsieur which was very similar but had ham, and they both looked amazing.  Also, after we ordered we noticed that sitting next to us was a cute little dog, which was a bit surprising to see that a dog sitting up next to the table right along with us! 

Paris, part one

Last night I returned (against my will) from an amazing weekend in Paris, and now I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the things that I have to do for my classes and organizing various trips, but as they say in Spain "no pasa nada" (pretty much the equivalent to "don't worry about it" but they take this philosophy very seriously!).  However it has been tons of fun looking through my pictures and reliving the weekend as I edit them.  So, since I have a tons of pictures and since we only had four days to pack in everything a city as big a Paris has to offer, I'll just go ahead and pick some of my favorite things we did and favorite pictures that I took to post.  

I thought I'd start with the Eiffel Tower, since we did go there on our first night and it is one of the main attractions after all.  We arrived in Paris after a long day of traveling at around two or two thirty in the afternoon on Friday and some friends and I had plans on going to the Eiffel Tower that night, so to pass the time during the day (and conserve some energy) we walked around close to the hotel and then later got some decadent crepes and tea.  So after some food and some rest we hopped on the metro and got to the Eiffel Tower at around nine.  The weather was reasonably cold all weekend, but when your up the height of a 81 story building, cold takes on a new meaning.

Luckily though we all bundled up pretty well and once we got to the top the view of the city all lit up was incredible and simply breathtaking to see.  It was also extremely windy at the top, which took me back to my Hight Desert roots where wind seems like an everyday thing, however it made it all the more exciting and exhilarating.  Also, every hour the whole tower lit up with sparkly white lights that glittered off and on all over the tower.  And then after those lights, the tower would light up with blue, green and red lights while music played.  It was such an exciting and wonderful experience to go there on my first night in Paris.  It was a little surreal though to see the tower, something so iconic, right there in front of me.

The pictures of the tower during the day are from Saturday, when we had a panoramic bus tour with API.  It was another cloudy cold day, but still an amazing view of the tower.

Balloons!

Yesterday, after spending all morning researching hostels and places to stay in Edinburgh and London, I decided I needed some fresh air, so I walked around with Doug looking at all the little souvenir shops trying to find some more gifts to bring home.  We ended up walking up the road that leads to La Alhambra, which is lined with shops trying to lure in tourists that are heading up to the monument.  I honestly could spend hours in these shops, I think it may be an addiction.  I know that they basically all have the same things, but I just love looking all of the handmade tapestries, painted tiles and pretty scarves.  

We ended up making our way back around to where my building is and sat in front of the fountain for a little bit.  Out of no where a group of teenagers, all holding blue balloons, walked up and where taking pictures around the fountain.  Then they went around the other side of the fountain and let their balloons go all at once.  Luckily, Doug had his camera so we tried to get some photos, but unfortunately they didn't turn the fountain lights on until most of the balloons had already floated away, so the one picture is kind of dark.  It was really exciting to see to all the blue balloons floating away over a crowd of amused teenagers and old couples alike (I've noticed that the old couples like to sit down and pass the time together in front of this fountain, it's so cute!).  

Plus here's a photo of the some of the shops we visited.  The white gate in the background in the entrance to the very steep walkway that leads up to La Alhambra.

 

Granada sunset

Yesterday Doug and I had a pretty low-key day in Granada just walking around and enjoying the nice weather.  I can't believe that this is my second-to-last weekend in Granada!  Time has been flying by and I know that it is only going to go by faster this next month with all of our trips planned.  Anyways though, after walking around for a little while, Doug and I ended up alongside the river in Granada where a lot of people go for walks and runs.  Unfortunately the river is more like a trickle at some parts than an actually flowing river, though in the picture I posted it doesn't look all that bad with the sunset reflecting off of it.  

Also, Doug and I tried a new tapas bar this past Thursday that one of Doug's teachers recommended to him.  The tapas were delicious and had tons of flavor.  The first tapa was one half of a baked potato with shredded carrots and beets (I think) topped with a yummy cheesy sauce.  The second tapa was a little bit more traditional Spanish; it was a little hamburger made with ham (of course!) instead of beef that came with a little side of fries with a spicy red sauce on them.  They both were pretty good and it was fun trying out a new little place.

On another note...I am getting sooo excited for Paris this upcoming weekend and for Doug's birthday!  I can't wait to try the food and see the city, especially since it will be fashion week while we are there!  And tomorrow I'm off to my first Spanish  fútbol game, so it should be entertaining to watch the intense reactions of the fans that I've heard so much about!

Hope you all are having a great weekend, love you!

Salsa

Sadly, my salsa lessons came to an end last Thursday, but luckily one of my friends took her camera to our last lesson and got some photos of us dancing plus some of our cheery little Cuban instructor, Miguel.  Overall, salsa lessons were really fun and although I may not be an amazing salsa dancer, at least I know how to keep the beat now (more or less)! 

He's so little!

(I don't know why whenever I think someone is taking a candid picture of me I decide to open my mouth like that!)