Dis-ffel-sailles...

Paris is known as the City of Lights. I don't really know when or why the nickname originated, but I think I could come up with some other names for it. City of Uncommonly Incognizant Crowds. City of Parks and Palaces. City of Towers, Triumphs, and Tourists. I could go on, but I'll spare you. Anyway, the following three places were crammed with lots to soak up: Disneyland, the Eiffel Tower, and Versailles. Here's a brief summary of the highlights!

This is how much my family loves Disney. We waited in this mob for half an hour to have our bags checked before we waited in yet more mobs for the rides.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle looks like it was transplanted from California or Florida. The Disney brand is globally consistent.

My grandparents gave us all these matching shirts for Christmas specifically for the purpose of wearing them to Disneyland Paris. True love.

Here's when the City of Lights name rings true...

It was a little chilly...

... snowy even! (Fake snowy, but I'll take it.)

Sparkly things are my favorite.

I heart Christmas.

I also heart this sweet little French girl who waved enthusiastically at every single parade float.

After a long day of stroller dodging, we decided to rise above the masses. Literally. Eiffel Tower summit anyone?

My mom was not a big fan of the glass elevator to the top. Can't say I blame her. When you looked down through the glass, this is what you saw...

Intimidating. It feels unnatural to be pulled diagonally upwards in a metal tower built over 120 years ago.

The spectacular views were worth it.

Definitely my favorite Parisian perspective.

And finally, our last morning in France was spent visiting Versailles. The splendor of the place was incredible and overwhelming. It was impossible (and slightly disgusting) to believe that anyone could have called it home.

The vast scale of the rooms was too much to catch on film, so I liked looking for more manageable/interesting details.

The one and only Hall of Mirrors. Never thought I'd stand in this place when I saw its picture in my Heritage of Interiors textbook.

Couldn't resist. I guess I am officially that girl.

Exterior of the main palace. Dizzying.

The entryway of the women's quarters.

Never knew that neon pink was such a hot color in 18th century decorating.

Beginnings of the extensive gardens.

Don't know what this hut was for, but it was out in the gardens somewhere.

Oh yeah, we had African style old fashioned hot chocolate inside Versailles at a little place called Angelina. And by old fashioned African style, I mean melted chocolate with a splash of steamed milk. Like drinking from one of those chocolate fountains at weddings. But better. Best 4 euros I spent that day.

You can tell how thick it was by my mustache and stained teeth. Cute.

On the train ride back into town we met Shawn from South Korea. He goes to school in Virginia but was traveling for a month all by himself. (I could not do that. No way!) When he overheard us speaking English, we quickly became pals.

So that was France. Next stop - London! After one more extremely inefficient line and a brisk walk/jog to the Eurostar, we boarded the train bound for jolly ol' England. (To be continued...)