Week 5: London and Paris with my fiancé

After class on Friday, October 18th, I boarded the 7:04 pm train to London to pick up my man at the airport! 

Collin arrived around 10:10 pm and I met him at the arrival gate. I was so happy to see him!!! After I picked him up, I knew something was up because he flew 10+ hours in a button-down dress shirt... (no one would ever do that unless they had something important to do... immediately) 

After we reunited at the airport (all sappily like they do in the movies), we made our way to our hotel in London! As soon as I opened the door, the room was decorated! I was so shocked and then I turned around and he was on one knee and asked me to be his wife!! 

EASIEST YES I’VE EVER SAID.

Then, we celebrated by ordering a VERY overpriced bottle of champagne and pizza (how romantic lol, but it’s us and I wouldn’t want it any other way)!

Collin said his original plan was to propose in the airport but that it didn’t feel right so he decided to go with his plan B and propose at the hotel! And I loved every second of it! 

On Saturday, October 19th, we woke up and went sightseeing! We saw the Kensington Palace (how underwhelming), Hyde Park, Big Ben (well, what’s left of him because of the ongoing construction and scaffolding), Parliament, and the London Eye.

Collin surprised me again at the London Eye with the VIP and champagne experience so we got to cut the line, have a semi-private capsule/access to the London Eye lounge, and drink some champagne while taking in the views of London from atop. It was magical!! 

Later in the night, we headed to dinner and accidentally got stuck in a Brexit protest... and then went to see The Book of Mormon (10/10 would recommend; it was hilarious). 

Then, on Sunday, October 20th, Collin surprised me YET again with an engagement picture photoshoot in London. We got pictures in front of the St. Paul’s Cathedral, Millenium Bridge, a secret garden, London Tower Bridge, and other notable monuments! It was utter bliss. After our engagement pictures, we hopped on a plane and headed to Paris. Sunday night we arrived in Paris and stayed-in at our floating hotel on the Seine River and called all of our family and friends to let them know! 

On Monday, October 21st, we decided to hit all of the notable landmarks that we could think of in Paris and stumbled upon some interesting things and places. We started by seeing the Pantheon, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Tuileries Garden, and last but certainly not least, the Eiffel Tower. 

We walked over 12 miles and our feet were hurting so badly that we decided to find somethings stationary and sedentary to do later in the night. So, in true Collin and Justine fashion we looked up what nightlife Paris was known for and we stumbled upon a Cabaret Show at the Lido de Paris.

Do you know what a Cabaret show is?!? 

Yeah, neither DID we.

To our surprise, it was kind of like a “classy circus”. And I use the term “classy” loosely with much hesitation. The show was a hodgepodge of performers like mimes, dancers, acrobatics, ice skaters, singers and more. 

Sound great right?!?

WELL, it would’ve been even better if we knew the WOMEN WOULD BE TOPLESS.

BOY WERE WE SHOCKED. I’ll never forget that speechless/dumbfounded look on Collin's face and me telling him that it’s going to be okay.

So for an hour and a half, we along with other couples and CHILDREN watched half-naked women perform. And guess what, as weird as it was, it was a memory and an experience I’ll never forget with my new fiancé. Sometimes you just have to live life on the edge, laugh about things, and not be too serious!

Tuesday morning, we boarded a plane back to London and Collin flew back to the states and I took a train back to Derby.

I can’t wait until we’re reunited again! During these past 5 days, we’ve made memories that will last a lifetime.

Things I’ve Learned This Week:

1.) The Sainte-Chapelle is NOT the Sistine Chapel. Don’t ask why I saw the “S” and assumed.

2.) People are going wild over Brexit, it’s crazy over here!

3.) Don’t walk 12 miles in non-walking shoes, you WILL have crazy blisters

4.) Paris is way overpriced; for two meals at McDonald's, it was roughly 32 USD (WHAT?!?)

5.) My sister says it best, “go to the Eiffel Tower at night, it’s ugly and dirty during the day”

6.) A breast is a breast is a breast.

So, You may be wondering where I’ll be headed next...

ICELAND!!!

But before then, Kellie and I will be living our best life enjoying Derby this weekend.

See ya next week!

P.S. It's also hard to believe that I've been here for over a month and that we're 1/3 of the way through this experience. It's all going by too fast and I'm enjoying every second of it.