Paris - First impressions

        As soon as I stepped off the Chunnel from London, I felt like I had to be watching my back every second.  It was very different from the Atlanta I’ve seen and grown up in.  The first odd thing I saw was a blind French lady “Boooing” at the Police Station as CT and I were getting our tickets for the Metro.  We couldn’t get any from the machines because it wouldn’t take our cards, so we went to the ticket window.  In somewhat broken French I asked politely if I could have a booklet of tickets (the perfect amount for what we needed) and she understood me!  I paid and we were on our way, which ended up being the wrong way… As we rolled our bags down one way these two sketch-balls walked over to us and with a French accent asked us if we needed help.  I looked at him with a stern French face as I rolled by him to go back from where we came from as CT said “No”

NOTE:  when in France be sure to know where you are going before you try to go on you own adventure, there are too many people out there trying to take advantage of “silly Americans.”  Especially in the train stations!!

        We got help from a nice man from inside an info desk area.  He helped us through this huge gate with all our luggage, then we had to walk all the way to the other side of the train station to get on the correct train.  After the train we had to roll our bags across a few streets because the “intersection” we were at was a roundabout and had about 9 roads going into it.  Then once we picked the “right” street we rolled all of our luggage up the street and realized we went the wrong way.  We then had to turn around go back around the roundabout crossing half the streets again, and actually arrived at the correct road.  I was so glad when we finally got to our Hotel, I could finally take a shower!  I felt disgusting after the long over-seas flight, walking through London and a long train ride!  Haha!  The room we were in had two different levels to it, it was way different than any other Hotel room I’ve stayed in.  That night we got to a bunch of complimentary things, a huge bottle of water, candy, snacks, a plate of cheese, and a few other things. 

        I did not sleep well at all that night, I stayed up until 4 am if not later just watching a French documentary, it was actually quite interesting.  However, the next morning we woke up at 7:30!!  We got ready and I felt completely dead, but we went to eat breakfast and it was delicious, so that helped a little.  I am pretty sure that we were the only ones not eating the “petit-déjeuner” with just bread and jam or butter, with coffee and juice.  I also had an amazing cup of coffee, which definitely helped me wake up.  I just wish I would have brought my water bottle because you had to pay for water everywhere! 

NOTE:  Bring your water bottle with you when walking around Paris!

        Our first stop (besides the cute cafe) was Pallais de Chaillot, where the pictures started because it was perfect to take pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower.  It was nice out, so i was able to wear my scarf and jeans to look more french.  We kept walking towards the Eiffel Tower to just get the real view of how big it actually was.  We then walked across la Seine and through the Camp de Mars.  Then continued  down Motte Piquet la Tour Maubourg to the Hotel des Invalides.  From that Hotel you can see all the way down Ave. du Mal Gallieni and see the tops of Grand Palais and Petit Palais.  These pictures were taken in the middle of the road with the Hotel & the road.

Hotel des Invalids

        We then continued the walk down the river, walking past the Place de la Concorde, Musee de Orsay, and to the Place Dauphine on Pont Neuf.  On this little island is where we found Taverne Henry IV which is this amazing non-touristy restaurant.  I had to do most of the talking, because the waiter didn't speak much english (at all) :D haha!! After a delicious lunch we went to Sainte Chapelle.  It's so crazy when I think about how this amazing church dates back to the 13th century, and the french did a great job of keeping a huge percentage of the original glass.  It was so amazing to see how highly people held the stories is the Bible.  If you didn't know, each column of glass is a different Bible Story.  That was really awesome to see, and I still Thank God that I was able to see this depicted so beautifully.

        Once we wandered around Sainte Chapelle for quite a while, we headed to Notre Dame.  We were only able to see the outside because the line to get it would have taken over three hours, and we did not have that much time to waste.  

Heathrow, London

        After a deep breath I realized I was in London.  We lost 5 hours so 11am in London was 6am Atlanta time, so obviously I was a little tired. Haha, We had to get “Underground” passes for the day, it’s like Marta, but a lot cleaner and a lot more everyday people use it.  In Heathrow, London with luggage and all hopped on the “Underground” and headed straight for Big Ben!  The train stations has a surprising number of stairs, so all the luggage had to be carried up each flight of stairs; let’s just say I got a bit of a workout.  As soon as I walked out of the train station I turned to my right and saw a really creepy clown standing at the top of the stairs which was the way I had to go to see Big Ben.  (I’m not scared of clowns, this one was just extremely unexpected scary and in my path.  So… I thought I took some good pictures of the London Eye and Big Ben: 

The London Eye

       The outer facade had such detail that was so ornate, it was incredible to actually see, but to capture in a picture with a normal everyday digital camera is pretty difficult.  We then rolled our way to Westminster Abbey, however not before half the right wheel ripped off of my rolling luggage.  Haha! I started to roll it again (it had a harder inner part of the wheel underneath the rubber portion that was ripped off).  All I could do was laugh when it was making a silly noise as I dragged everything past Westminster Abbey.  

        This was also very beautiful in the way the façade intricately flowed together to construct this amazing church.  I was also lucky enough to hear the Bells play in the short amount of time I was there!!  After that we trudges back to the “Underground” and hopped on to go to the Chunnel station and get lunch.  But not before we snuck into a large red telephone “teley” booth.  Which was conveniently placed for a perfect photo opp!  

        Once at the train station we were able to have a great lunch.  I had a Sicilian sandwich in this cute corner bistro, everything was fresh and smelled wonderful!! After walking around we went through a security checkpoint to be able to go on our “Chunnel,” only after getting my second stamp in my passport.  I was excited to find out my train was on platform 10! I looked for Platform 9 & ¾ but had no luck.  The train was nice lots of legroom and very fast!  And off to FRANCE I go!!

Beginning of Meine Reise (my trip)

      The new International Terminal was so very modern and pretty.  Going through customs didn't take long at all, maybe 10 minuted to get through all of it in Atlanta.  This was probably due to the fact that I was a bit early  for my flight (4 hours early haha!)   

This picture is where you would check you bags, before customs! 

This picture is from inside the Terminal right after customs!  

      The New International Terminal had a bunch of different expensive shops and a few restaurants, since it was the first day it was opened, the selection of food was not very broad, but it wasn't bad.  One of their new restaurants happen to be one of my Dad's favorites!! THE VARSITY!! haha, this is only ironic because my dad hates flying!  There was only one thing out of the ordinary that happened to me while I was waiting to board my plane.  CT started talking to this lady, and she told us she had taught Biology for 30 years... a few times, well she probably told us closer to ten times, but it was funnier each time!  Before we got on the plane CT and I decided that we had to make sure we could say we had a beer at the International Terminal the first day it opened!  

First Beer on the trip & on the first day the new  International  Terminal is open!!

      Boarding the plane was easy, once I found my seat I realized what little leg room I had and then remembered I had to sleep like that!! I just laughed to myself, and thought "Welp, this will be a fun trip, I might actually talk to people! :D haha!!"  

NOTE:  If anyone is travelling internationally and you think you may have a hard time getting comfortable at night, I suggest you make sure you spend a little extra money and book a flight in the Business class or First Class if you're feeling really rich. haha!!

     I definitely slept some, but only when I was in the fetal position wrapped up in the blanket they gave me with my ear plugs in and my jacket and pillow under my head.  Before I went to sleep though, I got a yummy dinner that definitely helped me go to sleep.  After I woke up for the last time on that trip I was surprised by the delicious "Brekkie" and a hot cup of coffee!  They would give you any drink you asked for, but I was trying to stay hydrated, so water was mainly my choice (besides the coffee in the morning).  Getting off the plane was fairly wuick as well, the plane landed and arrived at the terminal at 10:25am (London time), with getting off the plane and going through customs, we were on our way to get our checked bags by 10:55am!!! (London time also!)  I just looked down at my Passport and thought to myself, YES!!! My first stamp in my passport!!

NOTE: Be sure to go to the bathroom before they put the seat-belt light on (20-30 min before landing) so that you can make a quick dash out of the plane and into the line for customs.  The line gets long fast, so be sure to bee-line it there! 

Mehr Bilder uber the neues Internation Terminal

                                                           

Getting Ready!

     I will be on my way to the airport in exactly two days.  I have been overwhelmed with thankfulness, excitement, and the feeling that I will miss many people and places.  I just want to say I thank everyone from Grace Midtown for making it such an amazing church to be a part of.  Being able to volunteer there and be a part of Kidtown were by far some of the best times I will surely miss while being in Germany.  If anyone knows of any churches of there, let me know!! :D
     I am very excited, and I feel sooo blessed to be going on this trip!  I'm soo excited to see what God has in store for me over there!  I can't wait to really see what churches in Germany are like, and learn oodles more about the German culture and language.  I am also excited about the Bible study some of the LBAT students have planned. ;-) I am excited to listen to a real German church service, but I will still be watching the Grace Midtown's sermons :D  http://midtown.gfc.tv/  It would be awesome if I could get the Notesheets, but I haven't quite figured that one out yet.
    Also, I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but I will be using the NEW international terminal the very first day it opens!! :O  haha!  Considering I have never flown overseas, this should be interesting... I will be sure to post (good) pictures of all of the awesomeness I encounter!! :D

Packing

      Getting ready for Germany is hard.  I have never packed for such a long trip, but thanks to everyone around me who has been on a long trip I have been able to put together an extensive list.  I will not put the whole thing on here, but a few things I have been told I need are:  a clothesline, a sink stopper with detergent packets "to-go", spray that will make wrinkles "magically" go away, and earplugs for the late nights in Hostels.  These were all thanks to my awesome roommate Jackie! :D  I am very excited to say that I have found that I will only be packing 4 pairs of shoes!!! :o  this is crazy to think, but all i'm bringing are tennis shoes, Chacos, black nice flats, and "shower shoes"/ flip flops.  I have also been told multiple times "LESS IS MORE"  I am getting even more excited about London & Paris.  I'm sooo excited to be leaving Thursday!!  It's weird to think I still need to go shopping for a few things before I'm totally ready with everything I need.  I feel like everyone has been so generous with giving me items I need for this trip.  

      For anyone who is going on the trip make sure you paid for everything before the 14th.  Also, for the girls, don't bring your own straighteners, get them in Europe otherwise you'll burn it out, and possibly damage the house you're staying in.  My flight is at night, which means I will have to wake up extra early so I can make sure I go to sleep on the plan and stay asleep for the majority of the flight.

      I have had a good summer break already, I was able to visit one of my best friends and watch her graduate in Asheville, and then I was able to help one of my other friends move out of their dorms in Savannah and got to stick my toe in the water at the beach in Hilton Head.  At the beach my friends and I found multiple hermit crabs, sea snails, a couple unfortunate horseshoe crabs on the shore, along with an unfortunate jellyfish on shore as well.  We found a whole bunch of fiddler crabs as well, the ones you can pick up and hold, the only weird thing is when they start crawling up your arm.  :o

       Ich freue mich ueber meine Reise!  (I'm excited about my Trip!)

Wilkommen (Welcome)

       I have a week of school left until Exams, my last exam happens to be an Oral proficiency exam for my German 4813 class.   We also have a 4-5 page paper for our presentation that is on Thursday this coming week. :o  I also have our Senior Design (Capstone) Expo and presentation on Thursday as well.  Thankfully besides my German Oral, I have only one Exam which is for IC Engines on Monday of exam week.  Thankfully God is carrying me through this because there is no way I could do this without Him! :D
     
       I also have to start packing up things I will not be taking to Germany,  I have been blessed to have many of the things I need for the trip, now I just have to put it all together!! :D  I am still trying to learn my favorite versus from my German Bible.
     
     Just so everyone knows, I will be flying to Heathrow, London first (it was a much cheaper flight) I will be running around London trying to see as much as possible before I get on the Chunnel to go to Paris that afternoon.  Once I am there I have two nights in Paris to do as much as possible and speak as much French as I can (remember)!  :D  I will then be getting to Dusseldorf and starting my LBAT experience.  I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me!! I will try to also share as many pictures as i possibly can from all of my experiences.  :D