Childhood dream come true over spring break

Whether students plan trips with friends, family or end up simply going back home, spring break is a great time to relieve the stress from school. 

Utah State University first-year student  Attie Mellman went to Paris for spring break with her mom, dad and younger sister. 

“We were supposed to go on this trip for my 18th birthday and my sister’s 16th birthday, but since coronavirus happened our trip was canceled,” Mellman said. 

Leaving the Saturday before the start of spring break, and returning the following Saturday, Mellman got to make up for a missed trip, see the sights, try many new foods and so much more.  

Mellman said she wanted to see the Eiffel Tower since she was a little kid and it ended up being her favorite part of going to Paris. 

“The Eiffel Tower was super pretty, especially at night because all the lights on it twinkled,” Mellman said. “We got to go on an hour-long nighttime boat tour, which was really cool.” 

Mellman really enjoyed being able to get crepes, since there are crepe stands all over the streets. But to her surprise, she also enjoyed trying escargot — snails cooked in butter ­— and frog legs. 

“The snails were more fun to pull out of the shell than it was to actually eat them,” Mellman said. “The frog legs taste like chicken.” 

The Mellman family was constantly walking all around Paris so that they would be able to see everything they went there to see.  

“I would have liked waking up later in the day, rather than waking up around 7 every morning and walking 10 miles every day,” Mellman said. “But you know, it was still really fun and a really cool experience. I would not change it.” 

Mellman said it was a difficult transition back into school since France is eight hours ahead. Since getting back, she has been going to bed super early and is still waking up earlier than she used to. 

First-year student Tiffany Croxall, a roommate of Mellman’s, went home to Utah over break. She said they stayed in contact over break and would talk occasionally to update each other on what they were doing. 

“Every time she posted an update on social media, I went on and liked her post,” Croxall said. “It was nice to see her posts because I’ve never left the country and it’s cool to see how other people live their day to day life.” 

Mellman said students going on trips should make sure to get to the airport early, and knowing how to speak the language is very useful. She also recommends going to local grocery stores to see what people actually eat where you are traveling. 

Submitted Photos