After a long night on the overnight train to Paris, the group was eager to arrive. Once we unpacked our bags and got situated in our hostel, we were given time to explore the surrounding neighborhood for lunch. Passing locals, street art, and patisseries, each of us got a small taste of what the following days were going to include. That night we visited the Eiffel tour which was a perfect ending to our first day in Paris! The next day the group had some free time to continue exploring the local neighborhood before we went to the mussée de Orsay. This art museum, which is located in an old train station includes the work of Van Gogh, Degas, and Monet. Each room was filled with paintings, statues, and a picturesque view of the city through a clock at the top. After the museum, we had time to shop around the Champs-Élysées and walk through the garden across from it. That night we all hopped on a boat and rode down the Seine river, learning about Paris’s most famous monuments including Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and many famous bridges. The next day began with a visit to the Chartres Cathedral, whose beautiful stain glass windows told stories from the Biblical times. Then, some of the group decided to visit the gardens at the Palace of Versailles. These gardens, which span 1,967 acres, were as vibrant and lively as they were during the times of Louis XIV exhibiting statues and perfectly trimmed greenery. The night finished off with a celebration of Bastille day, France’s day of Independence. We joined thousands of others in viewing the fireworks at the Eiffel tour. The next day, the group was able to have some free time for breakfast which allowed people to relax and eat traditional Café food such as baguette, croissants, coffee, and juice. We then took the train to  the Belleville area where we looked at local street art and ate lunch. Then some of the group visited the Père Lachaise Cemetery, while others went out to watch the World Cup at various cafes cheering loudly with the crowds. On our final day, we started the morning by visiting the Louvre, a museum that many of us were excited to get the chance to visit. Seeing the works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and many sculptures created by unknown artists dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Louvre impressed us all. Following our lunch free time, our last activity of the day was walking around the Latin quarter, an area with a rich culture. Led by a guide, we visited the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, many small parks, unique chapels, and even got to pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral. The night ended with a delicious final dinner and ice cream where we were able to reflect on the amazing cultural experiences we took part in throughout the previous days. Paris was a complete success, impressing us with its beauty, people, and of course, food!