"Graci-shit!-Merci"

That quote can basically sum up my time in Paris. I'm joking, but I did have issues with remembering that even though I was in a country that spoke a foreign language, it was not the foreign language that I speak or understand.

PARIS!

How many people get to say that they were in Paris for a week with their parents AND their friends? Very few. Except for this one!

I am not going to bore you with the minute details, because most of the sightseeing in Paris is standard: Louvre, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triumphe, Notre Dame, Musee d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Sainte Chapelle, Sacre Coer, Le Marais, Eiffel Tower, Luxembourg and Tuilleries Gardens, Versailles, and lots and lots of delicious food.

The important part about this trip was the company. Seeing my family was the perfect spring break plan and something that I needed more than I realized beforehand. We spent a little bit of time in Granada before and I got to show off my new stomping grounds and language skills. Then, when we got to Paris, the Simon Family sprung into action and did Paris in the only way we know how--efficiently and in its entirety. It is the first family vacation we have taken since I've been at Brandeis that hasn't been a week on LBI or skiing, so it was great to know that we've still got it in us. As Mom put it- minimal yelling and bickering and a great time, maybe there is hope that we can keep doing this. Overall, seeing the family was grounding, necessary, and a brief-but exciting- look into how the four of us will function once my parents become (gasp!) empty nesters. Here is the one picture of people posing I took with my parents (Mom was in charge of people, I was in charge of things):

In front of the Louvre on our first day!

When my parents left on Friday, I moved in with Julie and Morgan for the weekend of fun with the girls in Paris. It was definitely a different experience, seeing Paris with contemporaries versus my family. With a much more relaxed stride, we saw the city with a very different eye, one that I appreciated thoroughly. It was really interesting to be with friends from Brandeis in Europe and it definitely brought to light how I have already begun to change during my time over here. I don't know what is going to happen in the coming months here and when I come back, but I know there will be some culture shock and this past weekend opened my eyes to just how much I have been changing in my time over here (that's a different post). Most importantly, I got to see the City of Lights with some great company and had many laughs, most at Morgan's expense. Here are the two lovely ladies in front of the St. Michel fountain:


To no one's surprise, the Paris trip was an unbelievable success, but it was great to come home to Granada too. I missed Juanie and my friends, home cooking, and my room. This is my new home and as fun as it was to go away, it was just as fun to come back. Next Thursday I leave to go to MOROCCO for five days which I am so excited for, mere words cannot express. So, unless something happens that I feel the need to share, the next time I write I will have been to AFRICA!

Hasta luego!

FOOD PARIS EDITION:
escargot
ox knuckle
creme brulee
onion soup
pate
foie gras
goat cheese and prosciotto salad
cheesecake
walnut, goat cheese, and salad crepe
caramelized apple and vanilla ice cream crepe
apricot jam crepe
beef tartar
salmon bruchetta
duck confit with salad
duck confit in a raspberry and honey reduction
duck breast
chocolate souffle
falafel
beef carpaccio
lasagna
tuna carpaccio
mussels
chocolate mousse
mushroom, tomato, and cheese crepe
banana, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream crepe
roasted cod with farfel and chorizo
creme brulee with mashed apples
macaroons: pistachio, chocolate, raspberry, caramel, lemon, rasberry chocolate, rose petal, apricot/pistachio/saffron, vanilla/olive oil, strawberry/wasabi...
BREAD