Understated Abroad

"Paris. Nobody pinch me." -Selena Gomez in Monte Carlo.  The second best movie about a young girl going headed abroad with just her dreams and a cardigan (that's right the Lizzie McGuire Movie is the real OG. Fight me. Then sing to me, Paolo).

Being in Paris feels a lot like you're in a storybook, a Lana Del Rey song, and your wildest dreams all at once. We happened to be in Paris at the same time as Paris Fashion Week, which is one of the coolest things I think I've ever been able to say. It was pretty exciting and a lot of fun. 

I'm not sure if I could really put into words all the fun times that were had én Paris, so instead enjoy these snapshots of my time in the City of Lights.

Én Paris

Squad Goals, amirite? On our first day in Paris, we all made the short walk down to the Eiffel Tower. We ended up sitting right along the Seine and eating lunch and taking in the beauty of the city. It felt like a scene from a movie I never thought I would live.

Look at that reflection.  Got Paris in my sights.

We visited UNESCO for some informational briefings (while the US was still a full member. Yikes).  The most interesting part for me was that Afghanistan's art donation ended up in the copy closet in a back hallway.

Prepping family dinner at The Student Hotel in Paris. Quality hotel, quality dinner, quality company.

On today's episode of museums that make me overly emotional: the Louvre. Saw all the sights like the Code of Hammurabi (aka the first written law EVER. Like what?), the Mona Lisa, and A TON OF SCULPTURE I DIED.

I just really relate to the drama that this guy is feeling.

Reading at the historic Shakespear and Company bookstore.  F Scott Fitzgerald used to read here. I'm fine. I'm casual. Everything's fine.

The Dame.

Waffles.  Fries.  Architecture.  An actual subway system.  Just some of the wonderful things I experienced on our study trip to Brussels, Belgium.  

I will be honest when I say that I had very low expectations for Brussels.  I thought that it would just be a stopping point before heading to the true star of the study trip (aka Paris), but boy was I as wrong as could be.  Brussels is a pure gem.  Grade A quality.  One of the most interesting cities I have yet to experience.  

The official purpose of my time in Brussels was briefings at the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union.  This in itself was pretty cool.  We learned about European energy policy and the infamous Brexit vote.  They gave us free pens and coffee, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank Europe as a whole for your hospitality. 

A mural, near the back entrance of the EC.  I tend to think that Europe has got a pretty strong grip on the past, but hey, believe what makes you happy, Europe.

  
When not learning about the future of nuclear power in EU member states, you could find my friends and I exploring the city and enjoying the bustling old town area.  This area is home to the famous Grand Place and about a thousand waffle stands.  It was also home to a cool street band we ran into on about every corner called Soma Age.  

After running into them four times it only made sense to take a photo.  They probably didn't think we're stalking them.  Probably.

The variety of food choices and activities also made Brussels a winner.  I had the chance to eat tacos for the first time in months. Also, the general feeling of the city made it stand out (I'm not the world's biggest fan of the word ~ViBeS~ but the vibes of the city were really cool).  You could tell that it's an important and major global city, but it never felt like anyone was in a rush.  You could just enjoy the architecture and the history and the double-fried fries.  

Some of the best things to come back with me from Brussels were my thrift shop finds. I got a couple of really sharp blazers (one is velvet, so look out, academic community. I'm fully initiated.) and a lot of memories.  Check out this staw boat hat (which unfortunately did not return with me): 

Singing bass in a quartet or giving gondola tours? You be the judge.

Some of my greatest memories in Belgium are just sitting around with my friends in the middle of the Grand Place. I really recommend this at night.  In the middle of the day, though, you are more likely to spontaneuosly have your photo taken by strangers.  Still unclear why this was a thing, but oh well.  

Sophie and I. Brussels' hottest tourist attraction, apparently. Our strained and slightly pained smiles are due to the (count 'em) four different people who spontaneously decided to take a photo with us.

Despite the strange photographers, Brussels was incredible.  I would genuinely and wholeheartedly recommend a stop by for anyone who finds themselves in the neighborhood.  

A bunch of pommes de terres just trying to find their way back to Delerium in this world.

IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR CHILL IN ANY WAY AT ALL ABOUT THE BEAUTY AND THE MAJESTY OF THE SWISS ALPS PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME BECAUSE I SIMPLY CAN NOT.  

Wow.  Last Saturday myself and my friends decided to utilize the first sunny weekend we've had since we arrived here (I kid you not it only rains on Saturdays) to visit one of the cutest towns on earth (Interlaken (literally: between the lakes)(figuratively: between the adjectives perfect and precious)) and hike the most incredible trail I have ever seen.  The trail is actually a UNESCO protected site, so that's how you know its world-class (this makes my second UNESCO hike: shout out to Table Mountain in South Africa. Love you long time.).  

The train ride to the trailhead itself was magical. At one point we passed a field full of cows wearing flower crowns (FLOWER CROWNS, YALL) and it was so precious that I cried.  I kid you not.  Here is photo evidence of the pure joy I found in those cows: 

Thx Annie for capturing this moment.

The hike up the mountain was INTENSE (I mean, we literally climbed an Alp), but so worth it. To unironically quote Miley Cyrus, it really is the climb.  We went from the base of the mountain all the way up to the snowy parts. Every time that I looked around I couldn't believe my eyes.  It was so, so incredibly gorgeous.  

Jumping for joy at the midway point.  Those small little dots in the background is the village where we began the hike.

A couple weeks ago, my classmates and I took our first trip to the United Nations Geneva Headquarters. We took a guided tour of the Palais des Nations (led by the most interesting Russian-Italian tour guide, who was consistently subtly sarcastic in the best way) as well as the UN Library, in which we have research privileges (heart-eyes).  The tour was interesting in many ways and gave insight into a lot of the things that we have been studying in classes. We discussed the different goals of the Geneva office and the important role that it plays in the promotion of human right worldwide. One of my favorite parts was all the art along the tour, all donated by the different UN member states. Each of the pieces revealed a great deal about the states and administrations that donated them. 

Donation from Russia, constructed 1964.

One of the most interesting things that came to light during the tour was about a particular sculpture on the lawn in front of the UN.  It sort of looks like a big metal highway to the sky and was donated by the Russian Federation.  However, this sculpture was not their original intended gift.  The Russians wanted to install a rocket (like, what?).  However, for aesthetic purposes (probably security purposes as well?) this was vetoed and they went with the more minimalist design. 

Me, channeling Elizabeth McCord, addressing the General Assembly a side room of empty chairs.

Another highlight of the day was lunch in the UN Cafeteria. The cafeteria was home to a wide selection of chef-prepared foods from a variety of cultures, and had more reasonable prices than the rest of the wider Geneva area (WHY SO EXPENSIVE, SWITZERLAND??), and my grilled slamon with pineapple was definitely one of my favorite meals yet. One of the best things, I found, about the UN Cafeteria was the people who were eating there.  Across from us during our meal was a man from Poland who works in the Archives of the UN Library, and told us several stories of growing up in Eastern Europe, as well as about his current work. 

So many member states, so little time.