It was July
8 months ago, I was walking in the streets of Paris. I could still remember a friend telling me as we kill time while walking down the enchanting alley of Montmartre and catching the last rays of the sun, “I know you will write about this. I will wait for it”. But 8 months after, the story is still inside my head, bits and pieces were in a journal already hidden somewhere but the memories are still alive, somehow.
Maybe it’s because it was such a profound experience and I don’t know if I’ll ever give justice to it (I don’t want to kill the spirit because of my poor literary writing — but I guess it’s gonna be that, anyway). Or maybe because selfishness takes over and such thing couldn’t be shared. But alas, here we are. Here we are.
The not-so-exciting details
I went to Paris as a transit to Poland where the World Youth Day 2016 will be held. I was part of the delegation of the Missionaries of Mary and we joined the Community of Beatitudes for a 5-day Pilgrimage from Czestochowa to Krakow (another post will be dedicated for this. Promise).
But before everything else, we decided to stop by Paris for a couple of days. It’s going to be the 14 Julliet (Fete Nationale) and it’s also a good opportunity to reconnect with the volunteers there.
Here comes the fun part
I have a confession to make. I never liked Paris. I thought it’s cliche. Tourists swarm and inhabit the area more than the locals. “What’s the fuss about Eiffel Tower anyway?” I don’t even know why a lot of people are so hyped up when they hear French.
Not until [of course] I experienced it myself.
Is it about Le Béret ? Non .
Is it about Le Tour Eiffel ? Peut-être .
It’s just about… them. It’s about the elegance and au naturelle class. It’s about sophistication and authenticity. It’s about the love for arts and culture.
Paris is not just Eiffel Tower.
They have more to offer. They have the richness of culture, vast history of the cobble stoned pathways, intense affiliation with anything vintage and anything that could arouse intellectual discourse.
I don’t even find the misconception that generally, french people are arrogant and snobbish accurate. True, most of the time they rush, maybe they’re fed up with the presence of all the tourists in Paris or sometimes they tend to be pessimistic. But then, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. There’s still warmth and joy in them.
I guess it’s true, Paris is the city of romance. It sure knows how to invite and seduce you and captivate your heart so you won’t leave the city again.
What to do in Paris ?
- Walk the whole Parisian streets… even if it’s 20-30 km. Don’t forget to stop by Decathlon and spend the rest of the morning there.Not only do they offer cheap and nice sports apparel, they also have free wi-fi access, very important if you have a friend coming over and the only contact you have is on whatsapp. [2nd degree : hello french people, you know this very well]
- While walking, spend 5 – 10 minutes per attraction site and then rush to the next one. Also, eat lunch on the grass (that’s what they’re doing anyway) AND YEP, NO RICE !
- Wear shorts in the morning while buying breakfast at the nearest store (especially on Sunday, since most of the stores are closed until 9AM)… Then go back to the apartment to change some jeans… since it is freaking cold [you crazy, stupid, girl]
- SELFIEEEEEEEE (don’t forget the selfie stick !)
But sarcasm aside, Paris is tres tres bien. Somehow I am happy because this experience is far from what the usual tourists do and it is even better to discover the place with the people you love…
Lou x Raine 