Wednesday May 24

  Wednesday May 24

    Today was primarily a travel day from Paris to Switzerland. Out of all four countries, I have been looking forward to Switzerland the most. So far, it has not disappointed and we have only been here a few hours. Before I get ahead of myself let me start from the beginning. We started off today with a free morning in Paris. I have been loving the hotel breakfast so I made sure to get up and get myself down there before close. I enjoyed my yogurt, Nutella crepes, and salami and cheese mini baguette. After breakfast, it was time to check out. We put our luggage in the luggage room and ventured out to walk around the hotel a little bit. Jordan has been wanting chocolates from Leonidas so a group of us headed there. I got a small bag that I am very excited to try. After we went to sit at a little cafe where I tried my first Mocha, it was delicious. I will be attaching a picture below as it was probably the prettiest drink I have ever received. I will definitely be getting more of those in the future but I doubt it will compare. A few of the people who missed hotel breakfast got something to eat, all which looked very tasty. We were running out of time so we headed back to the hotel to catch the train. 

    We had a four hour train ride from Paris to Lausanne but honestly it went by so fast. The whole group got to sit near each other and I was fortunate enough to grab a window. This ride was absolutely beautiful. We went past the wine country in France and into the rolling hills of Switzerland. A few of us played Crazy 8's on the train which was very fun. I also had time to read some of my book which was very relaxing and enjoyable. Once we arrived in Switzerland I immediately decided it was my favorite place we have been so far. The scenery is absolutely stunning. Ava put it perfectly by saying it looks as if we are in a Disney movie. Everyone so far has been so nice and welcoming, the train is super easy, and the streets are not nearly as crowded. After dropping our stuff in the hotel we about half of the group attempted to go do some laundry which was a fail. After giving up and giving in to our hunger we decided it was time to eat. We took the train down the hill to an Italian place on the water. The sun was setting and the vibes were just amazing. We all got pizza and wine as we sat on the deck looking out onto the lake. I am so excited for the leg of the trip, I already don't want to ever leave. Peyton said it best, "Switzerland is amazing and the flag is a big plus."

           

Sunday May 21

 We had our first trip today, from London to Paris. But first, we had a free morning in London, and it was wonderful to enjoy a Sunday morning in London while sleeping in. The most of us slept in, but a few of us got up and toured various locations in London. Ryan Severe got up and went to the Arsenal Football Club's home stadium, the Emirates Stadium, as well as the Arsenal Museum to learn more about the club's history. Ryan is a fan of Arsenal and could not pass up the opportunity to see their historic stadium and find out more about one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. Brenden went to the Cartoon Museum to watch a Ralph Steadman exhibit, which is his favorites artist. The political and social caricatures Ralph Steadman is known for creating were only on show for a brief period of time, so it just so happened that he was in London at the time. After that, we all got together and headed to Pret A Manger for lunch. Pret A Manger is a coffee restaurant that also offers sandwiches, salads, and other lunch-related items for takeout. Some of us decided to go on a walk to look for postcards while we waited for our meeting time in the hotel lobby. When we did, we realized we still had more time, so we continued exploring. The Sunday League is an adult soccer league that only exists in England and is renowned for its intensity and lack of quality. We also discovered a little bookstore and a grocery store. Overall, it was a positive way to round off our enjoyable trip in London. But when it came time to leave for Paris, we packed our bags and suitcases and headed to the Kings Crossing train station. We walked a short distance and arrived quickly at the railway station. We had some extra time, so I went to a little grocery store to buy some snacks for the two-hour train trip. I sat next to Ryan Severe on the crowded train after passing through security and having our passports checked and stamped. We got very unlucky and had crying kids and kids running up and down the aisle. But we were not as unlucky as Kyle, who got woken up mid nap by a kid grabbing his legs. The train was mostly filled with French people and families traveling home from a weekend in London and I don’t blame them. Once we got to Paris, we made our way to the Paris Metro, which wasn't too difficult to find, and then we headed for our hotel. Without a hitch, we boarded the train, arrived at the hotel, and completed the check-in process. Peyton found it difficult to sleep because the bed was too small for someone as tall as he is. After that, we went to a small restaurant close to the hotel for dinner. We sat outside, which was nice. We returned to the hotel after dinner so that we could get some much-needed rest before our first day in Paris.

Tuesday May 23- Paris

 We began today a bit later so we were able to sleep in. So far, the breakfast has been super good in Paris. Each morning I got a baguette with cheese and some sort of salami. Our day began at the French Open where we watched a 19 year old American play against a 26 year old woman from Spain. This was the preliminary rounds but it was still an exciting game to watch. We also got to look inside the larger stadiums, where the final matches will be played, and watched a tennis player warm up for a few minutes. It was much colder and cloudier than we expected so a few people bought sweatshirts or merch from the store. 

After the French Open, we set out to find lunch. A bunch of us all crammed into this little sandwich shop. There was a bit of a language barrier and the entire menu was in French so it was a bit difficult to understand what food we were ordering. They put ketchup on Selby’s vegetable and cheese sandwich which seemed like a weird combination. Versailles was our next stop! We took the train out and the palace was stunning. It was enormous and we couldn’t believe that people genuinely lived there at one point in time. My favorite room was the Hall of Mirrors. They had different apartments designated for various kings or queens. Each apartment was very ornate in decoration. Lots of the ceilings were painted and the rooms had gold accents. We looked it up and learned everything within the palace was equivalent to over 50 billion dollars! The equestrian portion of the Olympics will take place at Versailles. I’m super excited for this because, while we didn’t get to enter the gardens, they looked beautiful. 

We made our way back to the Eiffel Tower area and walked around to buy postcards before our fantastic dinner. The Versailles group ended up running into Josh at a little cafe! We all caught up at a group dinner at 20 Eiffel, a michelin grade restaurant. It was a three course meal where we pre-picked our meal ahead of time. A bunch of people in the group tried escargot as an appetizer. My personal favorite course was the dessert where I enjoyed a crème brûlée. The dinner was bitter-sweet because it was our last night with Professor Ryan (we miss you Professor Ryan!). We ran to catch the 9pm river cruise and just barely missed it! Luckily, we were able to easily hop on the next cruise. The cruise went along the Seine so we got to see everything from the water including the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, and the Louvre. As it got darker out, the city began to light up. A portion of the river cruise followed the same course that the Opening Ceremony will take place. We got back to the hotel pretty late so a few of us hung out on the balcony before going to bed. We attempted to see the Eiffel Tower from the balcony but the side of the building was in the way.

Day 8 in Paris

 Today we were able to get a bit of a later start so we were able to sleep in a tad. We started our day at the French open preliminary rounds. I have never seen a professional tennis match so it was pretty cool that the French open was my first one. I really enjoyed watching the women’s matches. It was so cool to see how many matches are all happening at the same time. It’s also crazy how distinguished the event itself is, even the kids in the court helping with the collection of the tennis balls had all may hung outfits and they all hade the same mannerisms. While we were there we also ran into recent Syracuse sport management alum Alex Guo! Crazy how we ended up in Paris at the same time. 

Next we were off to Versailles! After the hour long train ride, we walked through a beautiful walkway of trees to arrive at the building. I was a tad disappointed to see that it is under construction. I am amazed by all of the gold accents on the gates and on the outside of the building, it’s crazy how shiny it is. I enjoyed all of the rooms we walked through, they were all so different and all very elegant. My favorite room on the first floor was one that had white walls and blue and and pink moldings all over the room. The back wall had a very large mirror. There were also a lot of rooms that were decked out in gold accents and even molding on the walls and ceilings. Once we got to the top floor a lot of the rooms started to look the same but almost every room had beautiful paintings on the ceilings. It’s incredible how detailed the painting are. I can’t even imagine how much time they took. Selby looked up how much Versailles would cost in USD today and it was $50.7 billion! We then got a peak at the garden-where the 2024 Paris Olympic equestrian events are being held- but we did not have tickets to that area. The peak of the garden we did see was really pretty. They had a huge fountain behind the building. 

After Versailles, we all went to group dinner at 20 Eiffel. It was really good food and it was pretty fancy, we had to order our three courses a day in advance. Finally after dinner we went on our Seine river cruise. It was really cool to see all the stuff we got to see during the day at night. We were able to se the construction on Norte dame up close and the Louvre from the other side. We even got the see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. We did get very cold on the top of the boat! Most of us stayed on top if the boat and the others were down inside the boat. Inside they had audio guides to listen to as we traveled along the river. 

Monday May 22

Today was an incredibly long but undeniably thrilling day of our trip. Our morning kicked off bright and early at 9:30 am, brimming with anticipation for the adventures ahead. Our first stop was none other than the majestic Eiffel Tower. It was an awe-inspiring moment to stand before this iconic landmark, known and recognized by people from all corners of the globe. The sheer magnitude and architectural brilliance of the structure left us in complete awe. Being in such close proximity to such a renowned symbol was an experience we will cherish forever. Following our visit to the Eiffel Tower, we embarked on our journey to witness another architectural marvel: the Arc de Triomphe. As we approached this historic monument, the grandeur of its design and the significance it holds within French history became evident. Standing beneath its towering arches, we couldn't help but feel a profound sense of admiration for the resilience and triumph it represents. However, the pinnacle of our day awaited us at the Louvre—the epitome of artistic magnificence. As we entered this world-renowned museum, we were overwhelmed by the vastness of its collection. From ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces, the Louvre houses an extraordinary array of art from countless countries and cultures. The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly standing face-to-face with the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa. Surrounded by a crowd of eager admirers, we marveled at the sheer artistry and mystique encapsulated in this celebrated painting. It was an indescribable moment that surpassed our wildest expectations. The Louvre, with its multitude of galleries and exhibitions, proved to be an endless source of wonder. We wandered through its halls, encountering breathtaking sculptures, intricate paintings, and captivating installations. Each piece of art told a unique story, showcasing the creative brilliance of humanity throughout history. The sheer diversity and magnitude of the collection left us humbled and inspired, igniting a newfound appreciation for the arts and the cultural tapestry they represent. As the night approached, we had the privilege of celebrating Professor Pat Ryan's birthday, capping off our eventful day with delicious food and refreshing drinks. It was a joyous occasion that allowed us to unwind, reflect on the incredible experiences we had shared, and create lasting memories as a group. One of the recovering themes of the travel has been how close we have all gotten even with none of us really knowing each other beforehand. This trip has started to build some relationships with good people that are strong and will last a long time. Today's adventure was undoubtedly exhausting, but the memories we made and the sights we beheld were well worth it. From the awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower to the triumphant Arc de Triomphe and the spellbinding Louvre, our day was filled with moments that will forever be etched in our hearts. This journey has not only deepened our understanding of the world's cultural treasures but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us

Monday, May 22

Today was our most active day so far with the most walking overall. We started the morning off by heading straight to Paris’ most iconic landmark: the Eiffel Tower. Outside of it, we discussed how Paris is setting up the 2024 Olympics. Many of the games will be played right outside of the Eiffel Tower and in that central location in Paris. One of the key concepts that Paris used in its bid presentation is that the game will be very compact. 85% of locations are within 30 minutes of the Olympic Village and 95% of the venues are either preexisting or were already planned construction, showing the sustainability of the Olympics. 

After walking around the Eiffel Tower, we went over to the Arc de Triumphe and over to the Champs-Elysées. We were able to walk down one of Paris’ most iconic roads and shop at some of the world’s most famous shops. 

We then walked over to the University of Sorbonne, the second oldest university in Europe and oldest in France. This university is iconic in regards to the Olympics since this is where Pierre de Coubertin held the meeting that began the modern Olympics in 1894. 

After going to the University of Sorbonne, we went to the Louvre. On the way to the Louvre, we walked by Notre Dame, which was quite depressing to see. The last time I went there, the church was fully in tact, but a fire in 2019 damaged much of the iconic church. Then, at the Louvre, like the British Museum, we were able to see some of the world’s most coveted artifacts. We first saw the Egyptian section with statues and sculptures of the ancient Egyptians in addition to tombs. After that, we went to the Greek section which also had artifacts related to the ancient Olympics. We got to see the Venus de Milo statue which is one of the most famous artifacts in the Louvre. After that, we walked over to the Italian paintings section, many of which were covered with depictions of Jesus Christ. We then got to see the Mona Lisa, which had an extremely long line to see. For such an iconic painting, perhaps the world’s most famous, it is surprisingly small. It is, however incredible for being the first realist portrait painting of its time. There were some other very impressive paintings that were bigger than most walls in houses. I was extremely impressed by these paintings due to the fact that they were so detailed being so large. I wondered how the artists were able to paint such large paintings, and then how the Louvre was able to hang the paintings. 

After the Louvre, we headed over to the official Paris 2024 Olympics shop. I got a tshirt there and other people got tshirts and bucket hats. We then headed to dinner across the street. I ordered a croque, a bread topped with ham and cheese, which was delicious. The fries have also always been delicious throughout Paris. After all, they are called French fries. 

We finished the night up at the mall at Les Halles where we did some more shopping on the night. This was a great way to finish the night, especially since Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world. 

Overall it was a very successful day, with lots of walking but seeing some of the best locations in Paris was exciting. Most importantly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PROFESSOR PAT RYAN!!!

Monday, May 22nd

 Our first full day in Paris!

We started our day getting to see the Eiffel Tower. For most of us, it felt surreal as it was our first time seeing the monument up close and in person. The Eiffel Tower is also especially significant to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as the beach volleyball matches will be held right in front of the landmark.

After taking endless pictures of us with the Eiffel Tower and purchasing many souvenirs of the iconic wonder, we discussed the significance of the Paris 2024 bid and some of its main selling points. One of the biggest selling points was that Paris previously held the Olympics exactly 100 years ago in 1924. Some other points that they brought up to combat LA’s 2024 bid were that the games would be compact, which means that spectators, athletes, and officials can easily move between venues, reducing travel time and that they had full government support, which meant that security and infrastructure that was planned to be built for the games would be backed and funded by the government. We also got the chance to discuss how the Paris 2024 Games were fulfilling all the Olympic legacies – Social, Environmental, Urban, Sporting and Economic.

We then proceeded to the Arc De Triomphe which honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. After a bit of sightseeing, we headed our separate ways for lunch. Half of us got crepes that we had been craving ever since reaching Paris.

Arc De Triomphe 

Our Crepe Lunch (In picture: Raspberry Crepe, Hot Chocolate and Mushroom & Cheese Crepe)

After lunch, we headed towards the Louvre but not before stopping at more Olympic sites for the Paris 2024 games. We managed to catch a glimpse of the river Seine where the opening ceremony is going to be held, the ceremony is estimated to hold 600,000 people and a few more Olympic sites nearby, proving the compactness of the games. We then celebrated Professor Ryan’s birthday (Happy Birthday Professor Ryan!).

River Seine (where the 2024 Opening Ceremony will be held)

Professor Kim bought Macaroons to celebrate Professor Ryan's Birthday :)

At the Louvre, we all went our separate ways to view the different exhibitions. I managed to see the most famous artwork in the Louvre (the Mona Lisa) and many Greek statues that we had learnt about from Professor Ryan earlier in the trip.

The Louvre Museum, one of the best museums in the world

The Mona Lisa

Athena - a significant figure in the Olympic Games

My personal favourite exhibition from the Louvre was the venue where they kept the French sculptures. It was also interesting seeing how the different exhibitions were organised. While the Egyptian, Greek, and Islamic exhibitions were very cluttered, the French sculptures were arranged beautifully under natural lighting with plenty of ambiences.

The French Sculptures 

Our day ended with dinner nearby where most of us got different types of french food including beef tartare and steak & frites.