As my first post, I found it appropriate to reminisce my summer and share a few of my favorite days.
After my last final, I jetted off to the lands I love, Europe. Throughout the past 14 years, these places have become my second homes. But as always, I leave my heart in Paris. There's something enchanting about the hustle and bustle that lures me in. But it's the little back roads that lead to the best shopping, the hidden crepe stands with the best deals, and the stillness of the Eiffel Tower glittering at 1 am that steals my heart and makes me want to stay there forever. You know it's a good day when you walk out your apartment door and see this view, with a chocolate croissant from the boulangerie around the corner in hand.
After a long day of sight seeing and aching feet, my favorite spot to take in Paris is at the Louvre. Once dusk, The crowds are gone and the lighting is perfect for the best pictures!
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I'm no Photographer, but I certainly enjoyed shooting away! With sights like these, its hard not to!
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LADUREE. LADUREE. LADUREE. These Parisian delicacies are to die for! You can't go to Paris without buying a box of these world famous Macaroons. Although a bit pricey, they're worth every bit and every calorie!
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You Can't forget the Eiffel Tower! Here I am with my
Beautiful Mama, at my most favorite spot in the
World! I can't wait to share this with my own little Girl! |
After a few stops at Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Louboutin, My heart remained in Paris and I continued onto Versailles.
**TRAVEL TIP**
Okay... I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but I'll share to prevent others from being as humiliated as I was. DON'T TAKE YOUR LUGGAGE WITH YOU! We were traveling by train from Heidelberg, Germany, to Paris for the weekend (which is extremely convenient, and will save you the headache of driving in Paris.) But once the weekend was over, we were stuck with 2 small rolling bags at Versailles. With the line to get into the palace snaking around the grounds, the baggage check-in seemed to get further and further away! While being the victims of the beating eyes of every person in line, my mom and I wheeled our little bags (ignoring the laughter and snickering of the rude tourists) through the hour long line while my sister and dad continued to the gardens. So! Moral of this little side story, Save yourself the humiliation and plan to go to Versailles when you don't have luggage.
Other than that, I absolutely loved Versailles! Make sure to go through the Palace, well worth the money! Growing up, I had heard of the Hall of Mirrors but to actually walk through it, was just breathtaking!
Here's a few pics...
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| Inside the Palace, Hall of Mirrors. |
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That crowd behind us is the huge, winding line that my mom and I dragged our bags
through. (We felt like Hester Prynne from the Scarlet Letter!) |
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The gardens were so gorgeous, You could spend all day
getting lost! |
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| I always find the best mimes! |
After a weekend in Paris, it was off to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy!
Au Revoir Paris!
Once we finally returned to Heidelberg, Germany, it was time to load up the car and start the 6 hour drive to Switzerland, you don't really mind 6 hour car rides with countryside as pretty as the Swiss alps. I do actually mind hearing my mom be the best backseat driver that my dad has ever needed, so naturally I'm in my own little bubble. Regina Spektor blasting through my headphones, Raybans on so my parents think I'm asleep, and soaking in the views (as much as I can, as we zoom past little villages along the autobahn.) With my first year of college over, I was just enjoying the fact that I was finished with one of the best, yet hardest, years of my life. Life was good! Once we got to a little town high in the Swiss Alps known as Grindelwald, I was home. Staying in a little Chalet at the base of the Eiger made it hard to leave on the multiple rainy-days that we faced. But that didn't stop us from late night walks, walking into town for breakfast and groceries, and enjoying being together. With my sister spending time with her host family in Germany (a few years ago, she lived in Germany for a year with the most amazing family!) it was just me and my parents. I can honestly say that it was something I shared with them that meant the world to me. After having a year away from them, I needed this time with them and I'm so grateful for the memories that we now share. It'll be hard to leave them and go back to school!
Anywhoooo.... after 6 (what seemed to feel like 3) days, It was time to pack up and head to our next destination, Austria! What better way to spend Mother's day than in a car for 5 hours heading from Switzerland to Austria, right? My mom's a trooper.
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The View from our little porch. It was so hard waking up to
this every morning .... |
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| HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!! |
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| Walking into town with my best friend! love you mom! |
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| heaven on earth |
On a rainy mother's day evening, we pulled into our usual flat that we've rented for the past 14 years. The family that rents it out is the most hardworking, kindest, and most generous family I've ever met. Its incredible the relationships that we've formed over the years with the people that we rent homes from. They become your second families.
There's something about this little Austrian Village that just makes you want to frolic in the fields! It's magical, I love it! After reuniting with my sister, we enjoyed our short time, 8 days, in Austria together. Sometimes it can be hard to always see the same things and do the same things while on vacation, so this time, I decided to spice it up a bit and try paragliding. It was one of the most amazing adventures that I've been able to experience, especially in the Austrian alps.
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| The view during our walk into town. |
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| Makes you want to frolic in this field, doesn't it? |
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| Getting ready to take off! Hardly nervous... |
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| The view from "up above" |
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| made it!! |
One day in Austria, we were feeling a little adventurous and decided to go on a little road trip through Italy! With the others wanting to go to Cortina, I had my heart set on Verona. I'll be honest, the only reason why I wanted to go was to see Juliet's house, all because of the movie "Letters to Juliet" (if you haven't seen it yet, you must.) So after a 2 hour drive to Cortina, and FINALLY finding a little handmade wooden Pinocchio, I was quite disappointed when all I got to see were mountains. Being from Utah, you get sick of mountains. Well at least I do! After driving through the Dolomites, I wanted vineyards. So, we started driving through the Italian countryside and Verona started to get closer and closer. With my desired destination only 2 hours away, we just HAD to go
. ** Just to clarify something real quickly, I was the only one that wanted to go to Verona. Everyone else was upset that we were going, that was until we got there.
Okay, so! We arrived in Verona, parked, and began walking the beautiful streets. Of course the rest of the family instantly fell in love with Verona. The arena was just like the Colosseum, the shopping was impeccable, and the square was lined with incredible bistros! It was exactly what I was hoping for! After taking shelter during a random, yet short, rain storm, we finally found Juliet's house! It was SO fun to be at the place that one of my favorite movies was filmed! (That may sound childish, but I'm still a child, sorry!) We bought a lock and locked it onto the gates, signed our name on the walls, and took our picture with the famous statue! I enjoyed my short little venture into Verona, but I enjoyed my family saying, "I'm so glad we went into Verona, good job Madi!" even more. Well family, you're most certainly welcome.
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| Dolomites |
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Cortina, Italy.
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| The town square in Verona. |
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| Juliet's House |
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| My lock joined hundreds already hanging on the gate. |
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| The famous statue of Juliet! |
The last week of our trip was spent in Germany enjoying the last time staying with our cousins in Heidelberg. With the Heidelberg military base being closed, our cousins will continue their adventure abroad in England. The last week was bittersweet as we all enjoyed Heidelberg, but also said goodbye to one of the places we've enjoyed the most.
Auf wiedersehen Neckarsteinach und Heidelberg!
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| Heidelberg Castle |
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| Walking the streets one last time! |
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| Last walk into town with our cousins, Ed and Carol. |
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| Family photo, minus the big brother with the broken femur back home. |
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| Love my sissy |
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| Heidelberg Bridge |
Well, I hope now you will be able to understand how after 3 weeks in the most amazing places, it was near impossible to come home. But, we had to and we did. With my brother back home, (he broke his femur while skiing, so he was unable to join in on our European festivities) made it a little easier coming home. I am living at home for the summer and working 2 jobs. My summer plans consist of working and hanging out with my parents (secretly I enjoy hanging out with them, shhh! don't tell them I told you!) With my brother about to get married, I've enjoyed being home to spend time with him making muddy buddies and having movie nights while pigging out. But, I do miss Salt Lake every day and I'm counting down the days till I am able to return back to school. This fall, I will be living in the ChiO house and starting classes for my major, I'm so excited! I can't wait to see what new adventures are ahead of me, and I can't wait to share them!! xoxo
