43 Hours and 15 minutes in Paris
At 11:55am on September 29th, I stepped foot for the first time in European soil. I took the initiative to start off my year long journey in Paris, France. Originally, I planned to take on Paris solo, but after sharing my plans with some fellow "remotes" (I had not met yet), we gathered a group of 6 of us to meet up before our arrival in Split, Croatia.
Here's what our adventures entailed:
Afternoon of Day 1
Find and check into our Airbnb in Malakoff, France.
Wander around the local area. Find a bakery. Eat a slice of quiche and pain au chocolat.
Find a tiny outdoor bar/cafe and toast to the new year ahead with some white wine.
Evening of Day 1:
Celebrate our super long day of travel and jet-lag with a fantastic night's sleep in our Airbnb.
Morning of Day 2
Wake up and tackle the Paris Metro system.
Literally get lost in Musee d'Orsay until the afternoon approaches and then go search for my friends that I had originally lost while gaping at Monet's, Van Gogh's, and Degas'.
Afternoon of Day 2
Walk to one of the many shopping areas in Paris and buy something from H&M.
Walk from the shops to view and get some necessary photos in front of Notre Dame.
Eat french onion soup for lunch in a little cafe across the street.
Take the metro to the Eiffel Tower.
Evening of Day 2
Wait over an hour and a half in line to climb 700 steps up to the middle viewing deck of the Eiffel Tower for an unforgettable view of Paris at night.
Climb down 700 steps back to ground level.
Hop back on the metro in an attempt to return to the Airbnb.
Get off at the wrong stop, and then get lost in the streets of Malakoff until my friends and I have to get directions from a local at midnight.
Early Morning of Day 3
Take a two hour nap until I have to head to the airport for 5:00AM
Call an Uber to take me to the airport, and awkwardly try to have a conversation with the driver when neither of us speak each other's language.
Arrive at the Airport; check into my flight; check my bag; go through security....
Get sent BACK to check your carry-on bag for 70 Euro
Go back through security.
Grab 3 more croissants, hop on my flight, and mentally prepare myself to meet 40-50 more incredible people I will spend the next year with.
