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Arrival Our Paris flight was surprisingly smooth! A quick tip: skip the jeans for comfy clothes instead (though preferences vary, like Mikaela who prefers jeans). The plane food exceeded expectations, and we enjoyed great company onboard. Landing at Charles de Gaulle felt like a movie scene, with the plane stairs laid out. Despite CDG's reputation for chaos, luggage claim was quick and easy. Our only hiccup? A two-hour traffic jam when our Uber went to the wrong hotel across the Seine - apparently a record gridlock even for Paris standards! Hotel de Londres Eiffel We arrived (finally) to our hotel, Hotel de Londres Eiffel . Since we came before the tour, which we recommend, we got a room not included in the tour which was on the 2nd floor. Our rooms were connecting, so Mikaela and I shared one room, and Brandi was in the room across from us. The rooms were not only elegant, but the family-owned hotel truly embraced the homey feeling. We were welcomed by Richard, who was super kind to provide details about the city and local gems. Though we were feeling the effects of jet lag and tried resist it, we ended up taking a two-hour nap! I also prepared my camera for its debut in Paris, and here’s my first official photo with my digital camera : 6/27/24 Brandi was surprised with some chocolate from her significant other upon our arrival. Thank you Tom! First Meal in Paris After we dropped our bags at the hotel, our stomachs started a full-on mutiny. So, off we went to grab a bite. I went for a Pokè bowl—yes, I know, not very French of me, but hey, it was a 10/10 meal, so I’m calling it a win! I even got some berry gelato to make up for it. Musée du Parfum After our extensive nap, we got dressed and went to the Musée du Parfum, repping our florals. We went through the history of perfume, and eventually made our own. We got to customize the scent and how much of each fragrance we wanted to add. If you like floral scents in perfumes, I would definitely recommend this activity. I loved having this pocket-sized perfume in my bag whenever I needed it, and it was so convenient. Book Now! What an amazing day! I had my very first metro ride, and wow, what an adventure! No one warned me about how quickly those metro doors slam shut – Mikaela nearly got caught in between them! But we turned it into a fun experience, sticking together and making sure we didn't face that surprise again for the rest of our trip! Beware of pickpockets on the metro! Make sure your bag isn't visible and is covered by a coat. Next Page

Here is why you need a small picture! It is for your week-long metro pass. The Beginning After our quick lunch, we headed back to the Hotel, which is where we met Rolinka to sort out our group meals, metro card, and to receive our Vox Box. Meeting the Group Later, we met the group; everyone was from different states which was nice! Before going to dinner, we learned how to use our Vox Box and how to listen to Rolinka through the earphone. We went to our first group dinner and were assigned buddies. This is for buddy checks that happen every day before we leave different places on our itinerary to ensure the whole group is together. My buddy was Arnold, Mikaela's was George, and Brandi's was Gene-who we ate dinner with. Dinner was nice and different. I got escargot, which I loved. Now, I have had it before, but now I can say I had it in France. Mikaela got this salad that ended up having edible flowers on it, so all in all, the meal was...très savoureux!! Next Page

Oh boy, do I miss Paris! Here are some of my highlights of the trip: #1: I loved having a picnic with our friend Gene underneath the Eiffel Tower. It was so nice and refreshing to just sit there and eat really good food! #2: Moving into my second highlight, I loved the food, in particular the bread. Every single day, fresh bread is made at the boulangeries. A boulangerie is a French bakery, as opposed to a pastry shop. Bakeries must bake their bread on-premises to hold the title of 'boulangerie' in France. #1 #2 #3 #3: My third highlight was the Opera House, a personal favorite for Mikaela and me. I honestly was in awe for every single cherub, painting, and ceiling. Journaling

Journaling The whole trip, I journaled every single day. As someone who does this regularly, it is something I suggest doing. While making this scrapbook, I definitely kept looking back to ensure every detail was in chronological order. Additionally, I saved every single euro I got, and put it within a compartment of my journal. I also did this with guide pamphlets, paper coasters, french labels, etc. Journaling might not be for everyone, but I can ensure you it is worth trying. This is the journal I ended up using, which has tons of pages and a few file bags. I used this compartment for tickets, labels, and euros.

Departure I don’t even have the right words to thank Brandi and Mikaela for bringing me on this trip. Without them, none of this would have been possible. They gave me the chance to experience something so special, something that has changed me in ways I never expected. Without them, I wouldn’t have even had the chance to enter the scrapbook contest. Now seeing something so special, I hope to bring my mom, the person who has always been there for me, my best friend. She has given me everything, and I want nothing more than to share this magic with her. Paris is a place that should be experienced with someone you love, and if I get the chance to bring her here, it would mean the world to me. Post-Paris

Morning Before Tour Starts Before the tour starts, Brandi took Mikaela and I on an audio tour to the Rodin Museum. Another one of my favorite tours we have done so far. There was a lot of well-know pieces from Carriere, Thaulow, Van Gogh, Munch, etc. Gallery Walk We got a bit carried away... After our tour, we noticed a Dior Pop-up and had to check it out. It was really nice, I haven't really seen anything like this before, so this was definitely a new experience. After the Rodin Museum, we walked to the Pont Alexandre III and enjoyed the view. We got lucky because it was soon closed due to the Olympics being hosted. Before heading back to the hotel to finally start the tour, we got a quick lunch; a cheese board and crepes with Nutella and honey! (I still dream about that cheese board!!) Next Page