June 26-29: Jennifer Lemons

Paris and St. Andrews

I went to Paris this weekend with three other people. Paris will forever be a memorable trip because of its wonders and disappointments. My ending impression of the city is that it is dirty, tagged everywhere, very expensive (5 dollars for a little bottle of water) and there are some very rude French people; a lot actually. Cierra even got cussed out in French by some dude on the metro that ran into her. The touristic view was breathtaking with all its wondrous monuments, but we saw the real Paris. I think that behind the Hollywood glamour, a city is just a city. My painted view of what I hoped Paris to be was destroyed by a beautiful reality. The mix of cultures and people seemed to be the most beautiful thing of all; it is true when they say the city is colorblind. Yet, politics spend more time romanticizing the city center and leave the rest in ruins and dirty. When traveling, go with no presumptions so that you can truly enjoy the cultural experience with no disappointments.

Saturday was worst day and a waste of time and energy, we picked a friend from the airport and went to enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Seine river, but we got played and when the cruise was over it was discovered that our friend had her wallet stolen. The rest of the day was spent trying to get home and canceling cards. I never thought I would say this, but McDonalds saved our life two days in a row. Hungry and hating Paris, I got me a Big Mac with fries and a coke. Comfort food!! It is amazing how when you are outside your comfort zone and scared the first thing you do is find something that brings you back to home. Even though I never eat there, it was refreshing to get it. That’s what McDonalds did for me (twice) even though ordering sucked because I couldn’t speak a lick of French. All I wanted to do was go home, back to familiar ground. I couldn’t wait to have some fish and chips and a pint of Strongbow. At least Paris believes in ice.

Today my friend Janis took a few of us to Saint Andrews which about a 45 minute drive from Edinburgh. Saint Andrews is the birthplace of a world renowned golf course and the first university in Scotland. The University of St. Andrews was built in 1411 and is the third university in the English speaking world. We walked the grounds of the old basilica surrounded by thousands of graves. The oldest one I saw was from the early 15th century and even found a couple headstones with crossbones and skull, maybe they were pirates. I discovered how Scotland got the Saltire as their national flag which was first hoisted in 1512. St. Andrew was crucified on a cross that was turned on its side resembling the white X on the royal blue flag.

Even though we got lost (like a blind cat trying to find his kitty litter), misguided, and money was stolen, Paris was the best learning experience of my life. Personally, it amazes me how God will turn things around for good, what seemed to be a disastrous weekend ended up as a great adventure.