Fly away to somewhere new

---

Our spring break was pretty exciting, although I didn’t necessarily feel rested when I got back. I did feel like I took advantage of a great opportunity to travel. I spent the break with my friend Michelle in two cities: 3 days in Paris and 4 in Barcelona.

We were pretty busy in Paris just because there are so many famous tourist sites and museums there. There’s a link below to our first day’s walk around town. Anyway, in the next two days, we visited the Louvre, the gardens at Versailles, the Pere Lachaise Cementery (where Oscar Wilde, and many many other famous historical and cultural figures are buried), the Luxembourg Gardens, and Sacre Cour. We walked at least 10 or 11 miles every day, and we also did a lot of standing in museums, lines, etc., so needless to say, our feet were pretty exhausted. We also got a little sick of baguette and cheese.

In Barcelona, we had somewhat more time to relax. We visited the Picasso Museum, the Cathedral, and a lot of Gaudí buildings (see next blog for awesome Barcelona pictures!), but we also made more time to slow down and enjoy the tapas and cava (Catalonian sparkling wine). We got to run on the beach while there—it took a lot more energy than I remembered, but it was fun. Other highlights included finding dried strawberries and organic protein bars along our walks around town. Last but not least, we ate the best fast food falafel I’ve ever had! (They tasted homemade)

So, there’s no real way to compare these cities, but I can say that of the two, I would be more likely to return to visit Barcelona. The atmosphere, food, and obviously the language just fit me better there.

I’ve posted Paris pictures in this blog, and I’ll also post some from Barcelona in the next blog.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Meg

---

Photos

Place de la Bastille
near where we were staying...lots of good restaurants and creperies!

Notre Dame Gargoyle
View from the tower of Notre Dame (and first of many shots of the Eiffel Tower...don't worry I won't post all of the pictures of it that I have)

Gargoyle 2
Mont Martre in the background

Bell tower at Notre Dame
Quasimodo, unfortunately, was a little shy

Arc de Triomf
and Michelle didn't even have to get runover to take it!

Night Cruise on the Seine
We stopped to watch the tower sparkle

Courtyard of the Louvre
(w/ Michelle)

Michelle and Me
in front of one of the many (non-functioning) fountains at Versailles

Luxembourg Gardens
much more impressive than Versailles in February

This makes me think of...
the last scene in the Great Race, which I would really like to watch when I get home

Comments

[Ann]

what fun!
Hey Meg!!! Those pictures look like so much fun- what great places! wish I had been there, too! (Then maybe you would have liked Paris more.... :) ) And the pictures from Barcelona are awesome!!!!! Miss you!