After an exhausting week of walking nearly 30 miles in Rome and discovering the iconic monuments of the city, we decided to treat ourselves to a Valentines weekend in Paris. With our hopes set high, ready to begin our first weekend of travel outside of Italy, we embarked for the airport bright and early at 4:30 am ready for a sensational weekend.
As a child I had always dreamed of going to Paris. After discovering the ins-and-outs of the metro system, we arrived at the Eiffel Tower. This trip gave me firsthand experience learning how to navigate a new city using a map. In the same moment as we arrived, a couple was standing next to us getting engaged with rose petals and music. In this moment, I realized the ‘city of love’ reputation was a true stereotype and immediately a piece of my heart was left in the city.  Seeing the vast views of the city in lights including the Ferris Wheel and Notre Dame and experiencing the Eiffel Tower twinkle in the evening is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Champs-Elysees is an apparel merchandising major’s dream. Walking past the quintessential European fashion stores, and admiring their window displays, allowed me to channel my knowledge from previous classes and envision my personal twist to their presentation and appreciate the inspiration behind each detail. Post marvel, it was time to try an acclaimed macaroon. This experience did not disappoint. We found Pierre Hermes, one of the famous macaroon shops, at the base of the Arc de Triomphe and stared in the astonishment of, not only the beautifully displayed monument, but also the rich flavors of the world’s best macaroon. I will definitely be trying a few macaroon recipes upon my arrival to America.
Leaving Paris with 500 pictures, developing relationships with my new best friends, and indulging in French cuisine left me in awe, anxiously awaiting my next trip to Paris during midterm break. It is hard for me to imagine the amount of opportunities and memories that are still in store for me during this program.
Au revoir,
Kelli Finzer