It has been months since my trip
to Paris, but I’ve been so taken with my move to the US that I never really had
the time or the inspiration to give that beautiful city its right in my blog.
I was there to witness the
celebrations on the National Day Commemoration at the Champs de Mars, I melted
in the crowds in front of a fully lit Eiffel Tower, and then I went to meet my
friends on what I will dub a pub trottoir in Montparnasse. While waiting there
sipping blond beer and begging the waiter for more water, I took endless notes
on my Paris experience, but alas, perfume spilled over the notebook in my purse
and they are now lost in a multicolor aquarelle, but the memory remains. The
details are awfully stained, but the big picture stands still in my head as I
recall my long walks and my countless metro rides.
My first surprise in Paris was to
see people drinking more beer than wine. Could have been the summertime effect.
In any case, I had no problem with that at all, because try as might, I still
hate wine, and I will take beer over it anytime. And sure enough I tried wine
again there for like the umpteenth time, but my answer is still no, my taste
buds just reject it, even in Paris!
Paris for me was a parade of
hunchbacked elders, warm suburban people and tourist processions. It was a
carnival of the cutest little flowery balconies and the greenest boulevards I
ever came to see. The wow effect was omnipresent throughout all the complicated
trajectories I had to take, be it at something as monumental as the spectacular
museums and churches, or while digging for little treasures at the Vanves flee
market.
I stayed in Paris for a total of
11 days at my best friend’s apartment. I really couldn’t have asked for a more
welcoming couple than her and her husband. They both made my trip a memorable
one in all aspects, and I am forever grateful for having hearts big enough to
share the sweetest little place in the whole of France with me. The apartment
overlooked a huge breathtaking park that housed two schools and sunbathers at
the same time. It was just beautiful!
Before I continue, let me get
this out of my system: I was so unbelievably disappointed with the Eiffel
Tower. For me, it was just a bunch of rusting metal that isn’t even that big. I
know all the historical importance of the tour and everything, still, I wasn’t
impressed, and I didn’t even bother waiting in that impossible queue to go up
there. Otherwise, Paris was awesome!
Awesome for its magnificent
architecture, minus Tour Eiffel. Awesome for the live music blasting in metro
stations and on the sidewalks. For the familiar smell of fresh bread out of the
countless boulangeries. For all the art pinning the walls and bridges
surrounding the whole river Seine scene. For the bicycles on every corner and
in every street. For high schools bathing in greenery and the newspaper stands wherever
you walk. And most of all, for Montmartre and Place Pigalle.
Paris reeks of history, of marble
statues and of chemically challenged monuments. I was shocked to find out on my
first day that during summer, this city’s days become so long, but I learned soon
enough to turn that fact to my advantage. I also learned that one euro
practically has no value in Paris and that Charles de Gaulle airport seriously
needs a better service department. I roamed Paris like a labyrinth, stopping by
for meals of crepes and gauffre in colorful kiosks and never learning how to
mask my stupid smile every time I saw a Lebanese restaurant.
Paris is the land of unisex hair
salons and obnoxiously old, decaying nail polish on dirty fingers. It is the
land of misplaced, odd McDonalds and problematic parking system. But it’s also
the land of pedestrians, of respected disabled people, and of the Quartier
Latin, housing the most inspiring bookstores and music libraries.
I fell in love with the little
stores crammed in the metro, with the Moroccan corner stores and with the
diversity Paris can offer you. I quickly realized how easier it was to negotiate
with immigrants, especially when it came to ridiculously overpriced souvenirs.
Paris wasn’t as romantic as I had
expected, but it made up for it with its Pont des Arts, with those beautiful
engraved locks and with the Chinese couple taking their wedding photos at the
Trocadero.
I must admit I was baffled with
the pubs and restaurants’ systems, which I would describe as bizarre at best,
but it is part of what makes Paris interesting, of what makes me believe I
would never be bored if I were to live there. I would still argue again again
for my right to hold my drink in hand while walking inside a restaurant, I mean
what kind of rule is that??
Paris in brief is the taste of
the traditional versus that of the exaggerated. That sentence would sound a lot
better in French, le gout du traditionel et celui de l’exagere, but it’s
an English blog, and for that I am currently sorry.
If you are ever in Paris, you
must pay attention not get robbed, pickpocketing is huge in the metro, and you
also shouldn’t expect to hear Edith Piaff’s voice anywhere. Contrary to my
logical prospects, the national events along with the pubs and clubs would only
offer you English tunes for some reason.
Public cleanliness was a bit of
an issue for me, I mean I never knew that I would ever see anything such as dry
shampoo until I browsed Parisian supermarket shelves. I would also advise you
against using museum bathrooms even if it puts you at risk of peeing your pants
in the Louvres. Trust me when I tell you that it will feel less disgusting than
using those restrooms.
I don’t wish to end this article
on such revolting notes, which is why I will revert to the subject of friends.
Once again I would like to extend my endless gratefulness towards the couple
who was gracious enough to host me, and to all the lovely friends I was
fortunate enough to make during my memorable trip!
To Paris, until we meet again…
