Let Loose in Europe

So on the saddest day, April 6, 2009, the ABU-Oxford Programme of 2009 came to and end. It was an interesting end, everyone was stressed to death trying to get papers and reports in on time, but we had a great party on Saturday night, with some good reminiscing (no idea how to spell that...)some funny jokes and some sweet food and dancing:) On Sunday, Emily W went home and Joel disappeared...then Monday morning we lost Ben, Matt, Emily M and Whitney. I was getting pretty depressed. At 2pm, it was time for the rest of us to go...Carolyn, Lisa, Chloe, Melissa, Phoebe, Adina (Phoebe's friend from Canada) and myself, flew off to Paris, leaving behind the home we had quickly come to love...now is a good time to shed a tear or two, I did:p
While that was thoroughly depressing, I knew I would be back in a couple of weeks to say proper goodbyes (ie. 'see you again as soon as I can afford it' (or the government will pay for me...)).
So off we flew to Paris! It was so great that we were all going together....like a sweet girl's weekend away before the real travel began! So we were met at the airport by Julianne, Stephanie, Lisa and Denise with a big wonderful sign welcoming us! And croissants...yum. We had a fantastic time trying to find our hotel whilst dodging the world's largest raindrops (we had to go all the way to France to find rain...). Then on Tuesday, we found a free walking tour and walked all over Paris with a huge group of other Anglophones. We saw virtually everything from the outside for two seconds...so I'll go back...:) But I did go up to the Arc de Triomph and the Tour Eiffel (first level). Then we met up with Julianne and went to see the Eiffel Tower at night, right on the hour, so we could see it sparkle! It was sooooo wonderful!
Wednesday we went to Versailles in the morning (rain) and then the Louvre in the afternoon (sun). Then I met Steph outside the Louvre to see their school, the Pantheon, and then meet Julianne and the other Redeemer girls. The off to the Luxembourg Gardens with some delicious pastries to ruin my dinner! We went all together for dinner in this cute little Italian/French restaurant but there we said goodbye to Chloe, Melissa, and Carolyn:( Saaaaaaad.
Thursday I met up with Stephanie to use her internet and to see what I was allowed to of the Foyer where she lives...very nice! Then we went off to meet Phoebe, Adina, and Phoebe's other friend Laura at Notre Dame. I said goodbye to Stephanie (who is now in Italy with Natalie and Julianne) and went to tour the famous Cathedral! I went into the treasury to see the crown of thorns and an authentic piece of the cross....could be...it was a beautiful day and we walked through the gardens as well and went across that one bridge with all the souvenirs and such...
And then we flew off to Barcelona!