​The 5th arrondissement is one of 20 districts in Paris, France, the country’s capital. It is known for being home to the Latin Quarter and the Pantheon. I visited the Pantheon in February and was impressed by its architecture; many historical figures are buried there. Additionally, while working around the 5th arrondissement, I came across the town hall, which houses municipal services and serves as the city hall for Paris.

​I traveled to Frankfurt, Germany, on a high-speed train from Gare de l'Est, Paris. I wanted to visit the Städel Museum because it was hosting an exhibition of Rembrandt’s work. The paintings by Rembrandt were darker than the ones I had seen before, and many of the pieces dealt with death and human anatomy in very graphic ways. I was pleasantly surprised to find a painting by Matisse that I had never seen in person before. I also spent time at Römerberg, a historic square established in the 9th century. Moreover, Frankfurt is home to the European Central Bank, and visiting the building was cool. Additionally, during my visit, I took long walks to enjoy the city’s distinctive architecture and visited St. Bartholomew's Church. I left the city the same way I arrived, by train. The Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof displays how diverse and accepting Frankfurt is, with an LGBTQ flag flying atop the train station.

​Another place I was interested in seeing was the French parliament. Although I had lived in France prior to my February trip, I had never visited the parliament. I hopped off the Paris Métro and peeked in the evening. The building is large and bustling in the evening. Across the street is “Les Républicains” headquarters, the party founded in 2002 by the French president Jacques Chirac. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was also a member of this party and was instrumental in changing its name from Union for a Popular Movement to “Les Républicains.” 

​I have not visited the White House in the United States yet, but during a recent trip to Paris in February, I decided to stop by the Élysée Palace. The Élysée Palace wasn't exactly what I expected; I thought it would be glitzier. The Élysée Palace looks more like a government building than a palace. I was able to look through the gates and see the famous entrance used by the French president to greet world leaders and dignitaries. I must admit, it was thrilling. Furthermore, the Élysée Palace occupies a large space in an expensive Paris shopping district. No, I did not buy anything, but there was a nice jacket for a couple of thousand Euros, which was out of my price range. There is also a lot of security around the palace and the area. Nonetheless, it was an interesting experience because France is a major center for foreign policy, and a lot of international policy is handled there. An interesting fact is that the first French president used it as a residence in 1848. The Élysée Palace is a powerful international symbol.