From The City Of Lights To The Eternal City: Part I

20 gelatos, 2 countries, 1344 steep spiral stairs, 20 train rides, 13 cities, 5 boat rides, 3 flights, 4 hostels, 1 hotel, 2 underground systems, and 13,359 miles later...

I just spend 14 amazing days backpacking through Europe with 2 of my best friends, Katey and Emily.

Wednesday, May 13 {Flight from Salt Lake to Paris}

With the assistance of Uncle Reed (thanks!), Emily and I made it on time to the airport to catch our flight to Paris.

We met Katey at the gate, boarded the plane, took sleeping pills, and mentally prepared for what is going to be the best adventures of our lives... so far...

Thursday, May 14 {Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle}
 

We arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport at 11am. 

Welcome to Paris!

From the airport we jumped on the underground (the only way to get around) and headed for the Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris.

With our Paris Museum Passes (which allow us to get into most of the large museums) we got into the cathedral. 

The inside was gorgeous! I have waited a long time to see those beautiful Rose Windows.

Despite having our huge (25 lb) backpacks on, we hiked all the way to the top of the cathedral.

From the roof we could see all of Paris.

Next, we descended the steps and went into the Archaeological Crypt (bits of the original Celtic Parissi settlement and the ancient Roman city that took its place).

After seeing the crypt, we headed over to the Sainte-Chapelle.

The outside was not much to look at but the inside was beautiful.

The upstairs had a huge chapel with stained glass windows. It was breathtaking!

We took a ton a pictures!

It was a long day and we were jet lagged, so we decided to call it an early day.

We headed off to Hotel Cheap Beds (that's right, the name says it all) for a good nights rest.