Explore.: Paris, je t'aime

Thank goodness I refused to heed my parents' advice of skipping this trip when I was down and out for the past week with bronchitis:

(1) I had paid more than I intended for plane tickets. There's no way in hell that I'd be forfeiting my tickets after the fortune I shelled out;

(2) Wallow in self-pity, and feel absolutely miserable and lonely in a deserted dorm where all my friends have already left for home vs. coughing my lungs out in Paris.

There was no question about it. I was determine to head to Paris even if I have to leave behind a lung.

Paris is...indescribable in words. Every sight I saw - the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Château de Versailles - gave me goosebumps - and it wasn't

because it was -6°C and all the fountains and even the Grand Canal of the Château de Versailles was frozen solid. Nope, it was because I was so awe-struck by these wonderful pieces of architecture. Architectures that I have read in books, seen in movies, all looming majestically in front of my very eyes.

There's nothing like watching the crazy dancing lights come on the Eiffel Tower when the clock strikes the hour. The collective gasps of delight that rippled through the throngs of tourists is something you have to be there to experience.

The Sister (whom, by the way, has finally updated her blog) had warned me beforehand that three days in Paris wouldn't be enough. She was right. And just because I'm her self-proclaimed #1 fan when it comes to her writing and photography, below is an excerpt from an e-mail Swan wrote to the family three years ago when she was in Paris:

“

Paris is gorgeous. I was walking to my hostel at night and the Eiffel Tower loomed closer and closer as I followed the Seine. Suddenly, I turned a corner and there it was.There’s really nothing quite like it. I remember how prettier it was the closer I was. I was lucky enough to be at the bottom of the tower right at the hour when the lights came on, turning the tower into a huge Christmas tree. I will remember the collective gasp from the people who saw it, followed by the smiles and wonder reflected in their eyes.

Beautiful.

I took my time exploring the city. One of the joys of solo traveling. As I approached the Arc De Triomphe, instead of making a beeline towards the center, I instead took a step back and spent 10 minutes trying to figure out how the traffic works. It’s really interesting. The way I learnt in driving school is definitely different than the way the French does it there. Cars in the roundabout give way to traffic approaching the circle; but the system works regardless. Another one of those situations where you don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

I became an expert at crossing the roads. It’s a game of chicken. Who dareth wins. You just stare death in the face and start walking. I walked the 374 damn stairs and more to get to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. That was 5:30pm. The sunset was at 7:20, so I had a lot of time on my hands. I really did not mind the wait though. From that vantage point I could see how big Paris is. I was standing by the North Tower, trying to pinpoint where I’d walked that day.

Let’s just say I averaged 8 miles a day on foot.

While staking out the sunset, I saw this lady in a wheelchair roll herself up to the side of the tower, and slowly pulled herself up and out of the chair so that she could see over the railing. That was a very touching moment, to see her face transform out into a soft smile as she caught sight of the hues of red and orange in the horizon.
...
And finally, the food! Never had I experienced such good food! Food made with love. Food that stimulates every single taste bud in your mouth. Crepes, baguettes, ice-cream (I'd sell my first child for more ice-cream!) Cheap wine! Great cafes. Now, this is where the French people definitely know how to enjoy life. Order a petit latte, sit and watch the rest of the world go by. It was a rude awakening when I came upon Starbuck’s by the Opera House. Let’s just say that it was an in-your-face moment. It was so … gaudy in comparison to the rest of the architecture around it.

”

The (entrance to the) Louvre.

For now, it's au revoir, Paris. It's a crash back to reality in a dusty room and empty hallways for the next...16 hours. Swan boards the plane in five hours and I'm counting down!