What a place to start with on the globe! Work took me to the glittering city of lights, Paris, in January 2019. Nervousness and anxiety were just some of the emotions that persisted for almost three weeks before I landed in this beautiful city. It was my first trip abroad, I didn’t speak the local language and when my friends told me about taxis that loot passengers on the way, my anxiety levels hit at an all time high! Finally, the big day came and I landed at 5 a.m. local Paris time, on a chilly windy morning. Thanks to a kind lady who understood English, I got out at the right exit and caught a black limousine to my hotel. Even though the Christmas and new year celebrations were over, the city was covered in twinkling lights, colourful decorations and Christmas trees. On the way to the hotel, the sight of the beautiful streets took away all my worries and I realised that it just takes a little time to get to know a place, the food, and its people.
On the first day, I started with the breakfast I had carried with me, the good old aloo paratha! Peeping out of my hotel window and seeing the clean streets in the daylight, automated buses running exactly in their designated lanes, scooters and bikes on their way, and children on bicycles hurrying to get to school, I felt a great sense of achievement and joy within me. On my way to the office, I felt like I was in a dream as I walked on the streets of Paris, on the Boulevard Saint-Michel.
After a busy day at work, I got back to my hotel and got in touch with an old school friend who lived in the city. He landed up at the hotel and reading my mind, suggested we see the Eiffel tower. We took the metro after walking for two miles in 4 degrees temperature, but the cold and chilly night couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm. I loved seeing the small roadside cafes buzzing with people as we walked towards the Eiffel tower. The view of the wrought iron structure constructed in 1889 was amazing, especially when the lights on the tower flicker every hour, it looks really incredible. I spent a lovely evening on the banks of the river Seine gazing up at the tower while enjoying mulled wine and crepes for the first time in my life.
Throughout the week, in spite of my busy work schedule, I managed to take out time to see some of the popular sights in Paris. One of my most cherished experiences was walking through the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum. With a colleague from Scotland accompanying me, we managed to see a part of the museum as seeing the entire art collection of the Louvre would probably take around 3 months. Of course, I could not go there and not see the Mona Lisa! It’s undoubtedly beautiful but I did find it a bit odd that the other beautiful art pieces around it aren’t as famous.
Paris has some of the best bakeries in the world. The croissants, baguettes, seasonal fruit tarts, delicious cakes, pain au chocolat, etc. will spoil you for choice. Also, something that my father had told me about France turned out to be quite true, water is more expensive than wine there. Usually not much of a wine drinker, in Paris though, not a day went by when I didn’t enjoy a glass of French wine with my dinner.
The week went by fast and soon it was time to head back. I spent a part of my last day buying gifts and souvenirs. T-shirts, bags, mugs, keychains, et al, the Eiffel tower’s on everything, I soon realised. The beautiful cosmetic shops is another place where I was able to pick up a few things for my family. It was with an over-packed suitcase that I took my flight back to India. I could see the snow-covered mountains from my window seat as I reminisced about my days in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I knew I would return to spend time in its beautiful gardens, amidst the rich architecture, lively streets, and road side cafes. Au Revoir, Paris.
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Picture Credit : Alpha Panda
Splendid write up on Paris thank you Alpha
Thank you so much for encouraging
Wow, wonderful
In Paris without be in Paris.
Keep it up
Thanks a lot Vijay Ji…
Splendid discription of the beautiful city ,Paris .wonderful write up .
Thanks a lot for your kind words
I saw the beauty of Paris with your eyes today, It’s amazing, illustrated beautifully Alpha. Keep wrting👍🏻
Thanks a lot for such good words
Amazing write up Alpha .. Loved reading it 😊Thankyou for sharing.Congratulations
Thank you so much for your good wishes
So beautifully penned down di… Loved every bit of it…
Thank you so much dear…..
It’s vivid and gorgeous. Your description makes it seem like fairyland
Thanks a lot for words of encouragement.
Beautiful write up! Can visualize the city thru ur words. Loved it!!
Thanks a lot for your words of encouragement
Indeed a fairyland if you just see around… Thank you so much for encouraging
Superb description of Paris. I felt as if I was walking on the boulevard of Louvre, wandering in Louvre museum with eagerness to have a glimpse of Mona Lisa and strolling by the bank of River Seine while watching the mesmerizing Eiffel Tower that I always dreamt in my heart. Thank you so much, Alpha, for getting a taste of Paris with your eyes.
Thanks a lot for so beautifully encouraging me. I am glad you liked the journey and I am sure you will experience the same one day
It is so authentic and so real. Lovely writing. The description is just splendid.
Thanks a lot Joy. Feels great to get such nice words from you my brother
Great … weaving of words…which at last came up with a piece of marvelous fabric. Small details played the role of your craftmanship..keep going…enjoy ur travel with the same gel like ur word. ..
Thanks a lot for such beautiful words…. honestly feels like writing more.
Great Alpha.. this should not stopped continue writing
Thank you so much and would not stop writing
Wow…What a journey for me… Literally it feels like I am roaming with u…Alongside… Beautifully written di… Falling in love with ur writing… Anxiously waiting for the next…
Thanks so much, truly means a lot
Nice write up
Alpha, Congratulations👏!!
Indeed a resplendent writing which held me spellbound, as if I was in Paris for couple of minutes, MESMERIZED!
Keep penning, All the very best dear!
Thank you so much Shweta, Feels so great to know that you liked reading my experience.
Truly splendid👌👌👏👏
keep sharing😍
I loved it and saw the beauty of Paris through your happy eyes.
A beautiful article of a memorable trip..
You are the reason I wrote my experience. Thank you for motivating and getting some space for me in the lovely place.
Wow…beautifully written. Got nostalgic about our trip few years back and traveled again with you. All he best and keep writing.
Amazing dear, beautifully written. Feels like was there with you, enjoyed each and every place and of course wine was amazing 😁
You bet….wine was absolutely amazing. One day we will make it together.
Beshak 😃
Le Paris…Très très Bien…
I was there last in 1990 n may be in 1995 at Lyon..
Alpha
Reading your write up …wow such a vivid description..so simple but straight from your heart..
Thank you you shared..I travelled with you..
Pls share your other write ups n write more..
I see your heart wanting to travel more n more
May it be fulfilled…so that you take us around with your own.
Stay Well…A bien tôt..
Us
Thank you so much Raji. You have a great experience too. your words of encouragement has motivated to write more.
Very nicely put together. While reading the lines I felt like I am there and enjoying the journey myself. You could have surely got a bottle of French Wine😀
Excellent write up. Beautifully written. Wish you many more trips.