Paris, France

Although I spent an entire year in London, only two hours away from Paris by train, I never visited the city.

Part of the problem was that most of the friends I made in London were British and they had very few positive things to say about both Paris and the Parisians.

Even before I visited London the first time, I always had a tainted view of the country and its inhabitants due to American stereotypes of the French being rude and snobby, as well as my own failures in attempting to learn the language.

I still have nightmares about the multitude of French teachers in my life, who all found new and innovative ways to communicate the words, "You are a moron," with a simple glance.

Finally, at the age of twenty-six, I agreed to visit the city and found it to be on par with any other city I've visited throughout the world.

Attempting to use what French I could remember from my school days, I found the few Parisians I interacted with to be gracious and warm hosts.

To sum it all up, after my experience in Paris, I have officially stopped using the term "freedom fries" and commenced using "french fries."

For all of you who don't know me and/or are stupid, this is sarcasm.