Worlds and Paris

 Stop #1: Rotterdam, Holland for the 2010 World Gymnastics Championships

 World Championships in Rotterdam was amazing. I still get shivers when I think about it. Definitely one of the coolest experiences ever.

Warning: Long post =)

My weekend started on Wednesday morning. I packed up all my stuff and headed to the train station to go to Rotterdam to watch the Women's Team Finals at worlds that evening. On my way to Central Station I passed through Dam Square, which has a giant ferris wheel and a lot of fair activities going on. I would have stopped to check out the excitement, but I had a train to catch, so I took a few pictures and keeping marching.


















It was raining in Rotterdam when I first arrived. In fact, it hailed for a bit. I took a video - the chunks of hail were HUGE and were so loud on the train station's glass roof. Crazy!

I stayed at the Bilderberg Parkhotel - it was very snazzy =)

Wednesday evening - it was off to the World Championships at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam!!

And I met up with Team Canada in the restaurant before the competition! They weren't competing in the team final, so I had a chance to talk to them for a bit. They're awesome! From L-R: Jessica Savona (Ontario), Dominique Pegg (Ontario), Charlotte Mackie (BC), Me, Coralie Leblond-Chartrand (Quebec), Kristina Vaculik (Ontario) and Emma Willis (Ontario).















The arena... sold out for team finals!

Team Romania and Team USA getting ready for bars

















Team USA after their first event

One of my favourite gymnasts - Alicia Sacramone getting ready for beam

British acrobat team performing before the awards ceremony

Gold: Russia (2010 World Team Champions)

Silver: USA

Bronze: China

  

Stop #2: Paris, France to visit my wonderful friend Laura

Friday afternoon in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

In front of Notre Dame Friday night

Wine, Cheese and Baguettes by the river with Laura =)

French toast for breakfast Saturday morning! - And yes, I eat french toast with ketchup. It's not that weird. Don't say it's weird unless you've tried it!

 Eiffel Tower!!

There's Laura and I with our STAIRS tickets - we walked up the Eiffel tower - all 1021 steps!

 On top of the Eiffel Tower!

Okay, so as weird as this looks, I had to get a picture of me with these public toilettes. Everywhere you go in Holland you have to pay at least 0.50 euros to use the public bathrooms. Here, not only are they free, but the toilet seats and the floors are cleaned after each use. Pretty high tech, eh?!

And we happened to pass by an "art show" with a topless man running around in high heels. It was... odd to say the least. I imagine he had more clothing on at the beginning of his little show. I don't even know what to say... it's Paris.

Saturday night: candle light, wine, pasta and salad for dinner. Movie afterwards. Good night!

 The American Church in Paris. Beautiful Cathedral!

 

On our way back from church we picked up some strawberry tarts and ate them in the park. They were good tarts. In fact they were really good tarts. In fact, they were so good...

 ...we went back to the bakery and bought more and ate them (with some wine) back at Laura's apartment :)

And now I'm back in A'dam. Had a GREAT weekend but I'm glad to be back! My laundry is in the washer right now... preparing for my next adventure. Prague. 10 days from now. I can't wait!!

Thanks for a weekend I'll never forget Laura. I love you :)