Paris!!!

So Paris.
I've put off writing this blog for a few days now. The reason why is because I don't even know how to fully express how fantastic this experience was for me. It's kind of like one of those awesome spiritul experiences you question whether or not you should share. Now I wouldn't say it was the most important, spiritual or profound experience I've had, but just one that is kind of difficult to process because of its content. I'll just start by saying I'm still not sure that it all happened. It seemed to be more of a dream than actual reality for me, so assigning it as real life has been a touch troubling. So I've just decided to give the cold hard facts and try to leave out what it all meant to me to spare all of you kind souls that suffer through this :)
Ok, so first off. I went to Paris on a train, and it took about 2 hours to get there. I went with three people from Mike and Karan's ward. Rachael Lund, who loves traveling and has been to Paris a few times with her husband and other family, and Robyn Hager and her son Logan. Logan just got off his mission a few weeks ago and is just hanging out with his family for a few weeks before going back to the states for school. He's a pretty cool kid, we went to London together a couple of times last week, so it was fun to have him in Paris to. It's nice to have a friend, he reminds me alot of my guy friends from home.
Ok, so we arrived in Paris and had to get a crepe, that was the first order of business. So we went to this little place right next to Notre Dame, and I had my first french crepe, it had nutella in it and completely changed my life. For real. It was amazing.
After that we went inside Notre Dame. This is one thing that is hard to express how incredible it was. It is so beautiful inside and outside, you just kind of had to be there to appreciate it. After that we headed on over to le Tour Eiffel.
Seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time was breathtaking. Literally. As cheesy and corny as all these things are going to sound, it was all so awe inspiring. But anyways, the Eiffel Tower. We waited in line for about 2 hours to get up to the top, but it was so worth it. I took wayyyy too many pictures, but am super glad I did.
After that, we walked the Champs Elysees. Another cool moment. We got food at a little bakery, and then walked down to the Arc de Triomph to eat. I had a ham and camebert cheese sandwhich and a raspberry tart. SO FREAKIN DELICIOUS. Seriously, I've never had food so delectable.
We then went to the top of the Arc de Triomph, which was slightly miserable. There are SOOOO many stairs, but again, totally worth it. Paris at night from the top of the Arc de Triomph will forever be one of the most spectacular moments of my life. I took a gazillion pictures, but none of them express just home incredible the view really was. After about half an hour, we were about to go down, I luckily paused for one more picture, and then the Eiffel Tower lit up with sparkling lights. The only thought that came to mind was "I can literally die happy right now". I mean, no, I'm still fully committed to finishing my education, serving a mission, getting married and raising a family, but if something tragic ever happened to me, I would have no regrets in my life.
We then decided to call it a night, I shrewdly suggested clubbing, but my feet decided I was kidding. We got back to our hotel which was pretty decent and played Cribbage. A game that apparently I am great at. Who knew? :) It was there that we heard some drunken french guy yelling, and as Robyn looked outside to investigate, she almost caught sight of his "eiffel tower" as he was peeing on the side of the street. Good times in Paris.
The next day was kind of rainy and cloudy all day, but it was great regardless. Our first stop was a bakery where I got this giant baguette. Which was delicious, as per usual. Then on to the Louvre!! Oh, by the way, we took to Metro everywhere we went, which was a very educational experience in and of itself. Let's just say I prefer the London Underground :)
Ok, so again, explaining the Louvre is like explaining a color to a blind person. Nearly impossible. So I'll just keep it objective. I saw the Venus de Milo, paintings by Da Vinci and about a thousand other things. My favorite things were the sculptures, though I didn't really pay attention to the names of the sculptors. But of course, the Mona Lisa was the best thing. Yes, I did get slightly emotional. To see it in real life was something I never thought I would actually do, but I did :)
We also walked into Napolean III's apartments, which were so grandiose and gaudy I don't think I can see it outdone.
After the Louvre we found a cute little Brasserie to eat at where another one of my dreams came true. Ok, so quick backstory. I took French my last two years in high school, and didn't exactly love it. I mean, I'm glad I did it, but French class is something I like to mock when given the chance. HOWEVER, when studying food, I was introduced to the croque monsieur. Basically it's a grilled ham and cheese sandwhich, but it was always something I wanted to eat. So that's what I ordered, in french by the way, so I did pay attention somewhat in class. But HOLY CROW was it sensational. I even took a picture of it, and I'm glad I did!!! It was life changing ;)
So after that we went to the Musee D'Orsay. I wasn't super excited to go, but in all honesty, I think I liked it better than the Louvre. I saw paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Dali and Whistler. I was in total awe. I only took and posted pics of my favorites, but it's a memory forever engraved in my memory.
Ok, so by this point my feet were in such a shape I don't know if they'll ever forgive me. But we were ahead of schedule, so I had to persevere. Which I am, of course, glad I did.
So I have this thing for Moulin Rouge. It's one of my favorite movies and can sing you all the songs acapella, not that anyone should want that. Luckily, Logan feels the same way, so Robyn and Rachael decided to humor us and we went to, yes, THE MOULIN ROUGE. Just to take a picture. I was actually fairly terrified to be there too long, and for good reason. So we just took a picture a hopped back on the Metro, but it was so worth it. Oh, I kept referring to Moulin Rouge as "whoreville" the whole time we were in Paris, and everybody got a kick out of it. Sorry, I got to put down all these little details that I thought were entertaining so I don't forget.
Ok, so after that we went to Sacre Couer. SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! We decided to have mercy on our aching feet and didn't climb the zillions of stairs to the top. Seeing it from the bottom of the hill was enough for me.
After we took pictures it was time to go shopping. Unfortunately for me, my bank decided they didn't want my debit card to work in France, so I didn't get to do as much shopping as I wanted. Oh well. But I still got some fun stuff. We then headed out to the train station fairly early, but I had had enough. I was so sure I was never going to be able to walk again. ;)
But we got there and got through customs and as we were walking to find a seat I see this camera crew and this guy holding a tray with some food on it. I looked at him as I passed by and thought "How do I know him?" Then it hit me. It was Chef Gordon Ramsey from Hell's Kitchen!!!! So yes, I can say that I saw a celebrity while I was in Paris. None of us went up to take a picture with him, we were kind of afraid he would swear at us.
But anyway, the train ride home was uneventful, and it was nice to be back home. So all in all, it was the busiest two days I've ever had, but two of the best days I will ever have. Like I said earlier, this isn't the best thing I ever have done or hope to do in my life, but it's something that has left me feeling more satisfied and happy with my life. Seeing Paris was something I never thought to seriously ask for before coming to England, it was truly a gift that I could go. There isn't a ton that could top it, but I'm optimistic :)
But also, it's an experience that has brought me a new peace. Like I said, if heaven forbid something happened to me before I could experience the joys of marriage and motherhood, my family can know that I still lived a full life. I love my life and am grateful for the magnificent blessings that fill it everyday.