Submitted by Alexandra Bennett on the 2018 fall semester study abroad program in Paris, France…
This past weekend, I was visited by my good friend Maddy and had the privilege of being her personal tour guide. She is currently studying in Barcelona this semester; also through the University of Delaware. I met her at the airport early Friday morning and we made our tentative schedule for the weekend as we traveled into the city on the Metro. I realized how much I had learned in my short three weeks here when I was instructing her on how to read the Metro signs, and how to purchase tickets using the automated kiosks.
Our first stop was at a corner cafe near my homestay for breakfast where we brunched on a typical French meal: omelettes, croissants, coffee and tea.
We soon set out for one of the many beautiful gardens Paris has to offer to enjoy the sunny weather, which is a rarity during the beginning of October. Maddy and I spoke about the similarities and differences of Barcelona and Paris. One of the biggest similarities we found was the coffee culture of Europe. It is very uncommon in Europe to find a takeaway coffee shop while in the United States one can’t drive a mile without passing a gas station or store that sells various sizes of to-go coffee in a single use cup. In Paris and Barcelona, we have learned to appreciate a warm drink and spend the time conversing with a friend or simply enjoying the views offered by our respective cities.
The weekend in Paris would not have be complete without a trip to the most iconic landmark – the Eiffel Tower. We did not waste our time waiting on line to ascend the monument, but instead took a promenade around it and captured photos of every angle. Our night ended with a traditional French meal of escargot and a lot of fresh bread.
While her time here in the city of lights was limited, Maddy and I will never forget our fun filled weekend together.