a guest post: carlotta from pastor's girl's ponderings

While Anna is traipsing about the wonder that is Disney World, she asked me to write a post in her stead. Like Olivia mentioned in her guest post, it feels quite odd to be blogging on a blog not your own. But never mind this strangeness - let's get on to the post, shall we?

I'm very fortunate to live in a family that travels often. It's not unusual for us to go to Europe every year. And when we were there last, I got to go to Paris.

But let me backtrack a bit before I get too ahead of myself. Both my mom and dad were born in Germany and still have family there, so that explains going to Europe often. Since everything is really not that far away in Europe, my mom took me on a trip to Paris for my birthday this past September, which is only a five and a half hour train ride from where my grandparents live in Germany. To say that I was ecstatic when I heard the news is an understatement.

My mom and I crept out of the house at the ungodly hour of four thirty am - but that morning I didn't care about the time. My insides were churning with excitement, my heart beating faster than normal in anticipation throughout the whole train ride. My dream was finally coming true. For as long as I could remember, Paris was the city I'd wanted to visit the most. And here I was, speeding through the blackness of the morning to my dream destination.

After what seemed like forever, we pulled into one of the many train stations in Paris. I was greeted by a rush of French - a language I know very little of, gorgeous architecture, and couples embracing on the platform.
As we exited the train station, I gazed at everything in wonderment. I couldn't believe I was really in Paris. It was a wonderful feeling.

stained glass window at the train station

My mom and I checked into our hotel and deposited our luggage, then headed out into the city again. Even though the weather was rather dismal and drizzled throughout the day, nothing deterred my excitement. I clutched my camera close to me and photographed something at least twice a minute. I was in heaven. And then, while crossing a bridge, I suddenly saw a tip of a tower. Could it be? Really? But it was. It was my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, if only the very top of it. It's a moment I will always cherish. We also went to Notre Dam - it was spectacular.

the pyramids at the entrance to the louvre

The next morning dawned grey once again, much to my disappointment. But I wasn't going to let weather get in the way of my fun and pushed the thought out of my mind. Since the skies threatened rain, we decided to spend the morning at the Louvre. I couldn't believe my eyes as I walked through the museum, viewing pieces of art that I'd seen in textbooks countless times.

the mona lisa

And then I saw it. The Mona Lisa. I have to admit that it's not my favorite painting, but seeing the famed lady in person was incredible.

the eiffel tower from napoleon bonaparte's apartments

We visited Napoleon Bonaparte's apartments next, also located in the Louvre. I spied the Eiffel Tower from a window - the most I had seen of it so far.

Next, we decided to go to the Eiffel Tower. I was in absolute awe. I couldn't believe that after all these years of dreaming, I was standing in front of it. It was absolutely amazing.

a busy paris street

On our third and last day in Paris, the weather decided to smile down upon us. We were blessed with sunny and seventy five degree weather - perfect for walking around the city.

view from our hotel room

sacre coeur

the eiffel tower from sacre coeur

arc de triumph

the eiffel tower

All to soon, it was time to board our train to go back to Germany. I stared out my window at the Paris skyline until I could see it no more. We arrived back at my grandparent's house at five am and tumbled into bed. When I awoke later that morning, I had a hard time believe that I was in Paris only hours before. But I'm so thankful that I had the chance to go on this trip of a lifetime.

i'm carlotta. i write, i photograph, i design things. i blog at pastor's girl's ponderings. even though i like bright colors, i'm pulled to neutrals such as grey and white. i love fashion. i'm a klutz extraordinaire. i live in the plains of oklahoma. i never leave the house without mascara on and two hairbands around my wrist. i live for oreos and i'm convinced chocolate is the best thing on the planet. it's a pleasure to meet you.