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Eiffel Tower, Paris
Hello? Isn't this what comes into your mind when you hear the word 'Paris'? Wow. When was the last time I updated this blog? I really can't blame anything for my absence, other than lack of inspiration & my very busy schedule. Just so you all know, I'm currently living here in Paris for only 2 months, and I am set to go back to Hong Kong in just a few days. I won't say anything about my business here since it's pretty personal. Also, this is a travel blog, not a diary, so let's keep it at that. I'm going to make this blog post short & easy since 1.) I'm still pretty busy, and 2.) I have SO MANY, MANY things that I'd like to share that this post might turn into a huge trainwreck. (!!!)
... So!
When I first mentioned to my friends back home that I'll be staying here for 2 months, they went all "OMG! You're so lucky!" and "Paris! I want to live there too!" I mean c'mon - who doesn't want to live in the most romantic city in the world? But after almost spending 2 months here, I can honestly say that it isn't all that great. Living in Paris can be a good
thing or a bad thing, wherever you want to put it.
For starters, Paris is, without a doubt, the most overrated city for tourists around the world. Almost everyone has always dreamed of gazing at the Eiffel Tower, kissing on top of the Eiffel Tower, seeing the light show at the Eiffel Tower, and even marrying the Eiffel Tower (just kidding, it's already taken). But because of the booming tourist industry in this city, it has become a sinister & annoying place, thanks to the people who will stop at nothing to annoy the tourists into doing what they want you to do. Aggressive hawkers & scammers here are pretty common, and sadly, this affects to the city's image.
Fortunately, not all the tourist spots are filled with annoying hawkers, only if it's the right weather. A walk from Place de la Concorde to the Louvre Museum is probably one of my favorite routes to take here since it's barely filled with people, and even if the museum is closed on Tuesdays, you can still enjoy the glory of the Louvre's facade without bumping around with the tourists. The garden opposite of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
also features very artistic statues & a very lovely garden - a perfect place to just relax and munch on a chocolate crepe.
The Louvre Museum is, well, huge. The whole museum houses so many paintings, statues, and intricate designs, that it will leave your camera's memory bone-dry if you attempt to take each and every single exhibit in the whole museum. (and that doesn't even include Musée d'Orsay, which houses pretty much the same amount of exhibits you will see in the Louvre) Seeing the Mona Lisa in person didn't really leave a huge impact on me, but it was still worth seeing the most famous painting in the world.
If you plan to take the metro to go around Paris (which, without a doubt, is the most feasible way to get around the city), be prepared for a major shock. Most of the metro trains & stations around Paris are so shady and dirty, that you wouldn't even bother making eye contact with other people. And since commuters & tourists alike use the metro, the trains usually become jam-packed with people, making it the perfect opportunity for thieves to snatch your belongings as you try to
squeeze in. The metros are nonetheless safe, if you keep your wits with you.
I just mentioned about the annoying hawkers which linger around the most crowded tourist spots, and based from what I wrote, you would probably avoid them by now when you plan on visiting Paris. But if you're planning to buy a cheap souvenir (an Eiffel Tower keychain per se) for a friend back home, it never hurts to buy one, just as long as you're in an area with only a few hawkers in sight. You can usually find them on the École Militaire side of the Eiffel Tower at night, and don't worry, Paris won't become dangerous at night. It's really romantic actually. (duh!)
The city of Versailles is a popular choice for daytrippers from Paris because of the renowned Versailles Palace, and after a day's visit, I now know why. The whole site of the palace is so massive, I wasn't even able to see the whole site in one day! It's really hard to rush your sightseeing at the palace, considering the luxurious 17th century designs, paintings, and furnitures that are scattered around the palace, and the amazing gardens that will
truly take your breath away. Versailles, fortunately, isn't infested by annoying hawkers & any of that kind, but don't be surprised if an accordion player blasts off loud music in the train on the way to Versailles just to get a few tips from the passengers. It's pretty common and it seems like the French people have grown from it.
Oh, and let me just bust a French myth: NOT ALL FRENCH PEOPLE ARE RUDE. This theory is seriously ruining the image of French people. Yes, you will eventually meet these kind of people, but not all French people are percieved like that. Note that French people are also aware of the language barrier between them & the tourists arriving at the city, which causes their behavior to change.
Lastly, I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I actually CANNOT WAIT to leave this city. Paris might be the most beautiful city for some people, but for me, it just falls under the category. Beautiful? Yes. But try living here just for a month, and you will begin to understand the real side of Paris. My recommendation for future travelers traveling to Paris? Only spend a maximum of
3 days in this city and then move on. You can do ALOT in a day.
(... Yes, it sounds like what an amateurish traveler would say, but still.)
Il fut un plaisir de vivre ici. A bientôt, Paris!
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