Step, step, step, step

 Paris has been an trip consisting entirely of walking. Ella and I come home at night and almost immediately pass out, not before taking our shoes off our aching feet. Our third day and Paris all we did was walk! From monument to monument was around ten miles, not counting the actual walking we did around each site. Our first day in Paris we had some trouble on the train and since then we've been avoiding public transportation even when it would make our lives much easier. We've also been walking because it's been a great way to see the city. Each arrondissement is like entering a different world, a new neighborhood to explore.

Our third day in Paris was Bastille day, France's Independence Day. We walked leisurely over to the gardens of the Louvre where we sat for a while by a pond and watched a duck and her ducklings swim effortlessly through the water. Our stomachs lead us to the park's edge where we had an overpriced snack of cafe au lait (ole!) and split a chocolate and banana crepe. We then made our way up to the Cathedral of Scared Heart without using a map, just using the church on the hill as a guiding beacon. Sacred Heart lies at the top of a large hill, meaning the views of the city are spectacular. Its all white facade makes it look so pure and pristine standing alone on the top of Montmartre.

After spending time in the shade of a tree looking at the view and some failed attempts at selfies, we descended the hill with our sights set on the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triumph. We hadn't been that interested in climbing monuments, but we decided getting to the top of the Arc was a must. It would have been an incredible place to watch the Bastille day fireworks, but it closed early for the holiday. After we started walking to the Eiffel Tower to find a spot to watch the fireworks. Seeing the fireworks next to the Eiffel Tower was picture-perfect. It's what I've always imagined when I pictured Paris. Everything about Paris is romantic, from the people to the city itself. It truly is a magical city, just waiting to be explored!

Hidden Gems

My favorite part about the city is the hidden gems that catch you by surprise. For one of my classes I had to visit a medieval cathedral and I chose this one up near Columbia University. It's a massive cathedral that doesn't reveal itself until you turn the corner. This beautiful church is akin to the beautiful medieval churches I've been studying pictures of in Europe.  I feel like I take advantage of living in the city by not exploring. Between school and being lazy, it's hard to get the motivation to go out in search of all the places New York has to offer. I'm sure I've walked by so many beautiful spots because I have my headphones on and my eyes down. Maybe now that it's spring I'll take the time to walk slower and look around.

Rome photo diary

The days are fleeting and time refuses to slow down. It seems like I was just thinking about my firsts and suddenly I'm itemizing my lasts - last Tuesday night out, last meal in Florence, last paper. Being busy with finals is making the time fly by even faster! I had a presentation yesterday, a paper due today, tonight is the art show (pics to come!), tomorrow I have a quiz, the list just keeps going. This weekend will be the first that I have been in Florence for the entire weekend since September. It's so different from then though, I actually know where I want to eat and what I want to do!

San Miniato al Monte

Today I had my Cultures and Context class at San Miniato al Monte. I definitely did not plan enough time for the trek and showed up ten minutes late huffing and puffing...there were so many stairs. Physical exertion aside, it was one of the best views of the city. San Miniato al Monte is located on the other side of the bridge right near the Piazzale Michelangelo.

The story goes than St. Miniato was decapitated then picked up his head, walked up the hill and placed it where the church is now. San Miniato is located outside the walls of the city. I didn't manage to get pictures of the inside, but every inch is covered in decoration. The floors are made to look like carpet, which is reflected in the inlay detail of the floor. I felt as though it would be very rude to start snapping photos while my teacher was lecturing. After class I walked back along the Arno and bought art supplies for my drawing class. I caught the bus up to campus for Italian and then went home after to get work done and sketch. My night wouldn't be complete without a lady date with Chloe where we got gelato and did a lap around the Duomo.