We ended up staying in a nice little Hostel run by a group of Korean ladies that cooked breakfast and dinner for us. The place had such a character and some of the nicest people we’ve come across. Even had to take our shoes off in the living areas. We tried our luck at a mixed dorm for the first time, the cheapest option in Paris hostels, and were really glad we did. Met two Iranian fellows who were super nice and provided some informative cultural insight into their unknown world. They were both pursuing studies in the medical field and one had even taught himself the English language (completely different alphabet mind you). They definitely seem to have a drive that the majority of Americans lack, respectable and honorable gentlemen to say the least.
Day 1 brought with it some exciting parts of “Par-ee” including the Orsay Museum, Chateau Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower. The Orsay Museum was our first arrival and we quickly learned that Paris is a hotspot where lines await you everywhere. We also had our first battle with the rain while standing in line to get in. After splitting a 5 euro umbrella and Magen running to get us cappuccinos from the corner café we survived and finally made it inside where we purchased the Museum Pass, which allowed us to skip lines at most other places and provided ‘free’ entrance, super worth it, paid for it after the first three stops. Inside awaited great preservation of past art, modern mostly. I was treated, for the first time, to works by Van Gogh and Monet both. I never realized Van Gogh painted in the late 1800’s but I really did like his unique style of artistry. Monet was a nice presentation too, but not quite eclectic enough for my style. Next we ventured to Chateau Versailles which was a palace set up by King Louis XIV (I think) to bask in his personal greatness and admire himself. The arrogance was fuming from every corner of every room, but an impressive self admiration I must say. I really enjoyed the hall of mirrors which seemed to go on forever. Our pass didn’t cover the extravagant gardens, but you could see them from the palace anyways. The typical high painted ceiling rooms, sculptures, chandeliers, self portraits, and expensive decorations were all there. The place was huge and over the top, but when you’re going to cross a line you might as well jump over it I guess (Louis’ mentality I guess anyways). Then, we were impressed with the time we were making touring around so we went to the Eiffel Tower also! I knew I would like the tower, but didn’t know I would be quite so impressed by its magnitude. True architectural greatness if I do say so myself. I couldn’t stop gawking at the thousands of pieces making up just the base. Loved being in the presence of such a great work. Then we took a little walk down by the river after Magen fell in love with her banana and chocolate crepe, saw a homeless person’s bed and drug utensils, then called it a day.
Day 2 was filled with Notre Dame, Crypte Archeologique, meeting Magen’s friend Kelly and her boyfriend Patrick, and the Louvre Museum. Notre Dame was truly a humbling experience in a holy atmosphere just oozing with beauty. We had an unexpected treat where the church choir came out and sang several different hymns (some in English other Latin we think) that truly gave me goose-bumps and got me a little emotional. One of the highlights of my trip by far. To be in such a masterful place and have your viewing tour accompanied by such great voices, now that’s an experience of a lifetime. The stained glass windows could have kept me staring all day had we not wanted to see even more of Paris. We wanted to climb the towers also but learned you could go only halfway up until 1 pm (which is when we were meeting Kelly), and we wanted to go all the way to the top so we stopped by the Crypte Archeologique instead. Not near as impressive, just showing some findings proving how Paris has been built on top of its old days. Then we met up with Kelly and Patrick which was a welcomed treat to have someone to hang out with that we could relate to back in the states, almost forgot how I missed the company of friends. Magen and Kelly are friends from their college/internship days in DFW. She has been studying in Paris for the summer so she took us to St. Chapelle, St. Sevren, Luxembourg Gardens, Shakespeare’s Bookstore, and a Religious Battle Fountain. The windows in the other churches were amazing as well. I’ll give a brief covering or else you would be reading all day. St. Chapelle reminded me of Beauty and the Beast for some reason, St. Sevren’s windows looked hand painted and the detail was on the micro level, Luxembourg Gardens brought fantastic landscaping, great statues, and the original Lady Liberty, Shakespeare’s bookstore was where Magen fell in love and supposedly where he would come when he had writer’s block, and the fountain showing the battle between the Catholic faith and Protestant faith was pretty impressive. After splitting from our friends we stopped by the Louvre museum and really focused on the art wing, because I’m told the entire museum would take a week + to see. We had also seen quite a lot of the offerings in the British Museum which would have been really hard to beat. We saw in particular the famous Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Captive, and Napoleon’s Apts. Each was amazing, the place was huge, and we left feeling overloaded and liking the layout of the British Museum much better. After grabbing some pictures of the pyramids we returned to the bookstore that Magen fell in love with so she could spend a little more time there. Happened upon a NYU presentation discussing publishing companies, she stayed and I went venturing around the streets which often brings the most inspiring pictures. Another great, busy, and long day completed.
Day 3 was actually Bastille Day (France’s Independence), and we saw some of the parade left-overs at the Arc di Triumph. With various streets blocked off we decided to walk along the river and eventually meet up with Kelly & Patrick who picked up another friend Michela for the rest of the day. Went to Alexander’s Bridge and enjoyed the American company. After dealing with the French train system, we had to forfeit watching the fireworks around the city, in particular the Eiffel Tower show, and also our last night at the hostel to catch a night train to Barcelona. The fact that the French train system is extremely frustrating and provides tight limitations on the availability of seats for Eurrail Pass holders has given Magen and I our fair share of adventures (not happy). We had already made too many commitments with scheduling to improvise on a later departure and ended up having to purchase our seats to get out of France because no more pass seats were available and then use our pass once in Spain to reach Barcelona. Quite annoying, but as always, just part of the adventure!
Overall, Paris is a city I HIGHLY recommend and we will definitely be returning someday in the future. A day where our budgets aren’t so tight, we can stay inside the city, eat the amazing looking/smelling cuisine, and maybe even dress up like the Parisians! We both loved Paris which easily proved its greatness, and were sad to see it go earlier than expected. Paris, my love, we will meet again someday!
As always, thanks for reading friends, my European adventure is quickly flying by and hope it’s at least a little inspiring. Next stop is Barcelona, Spain, and just maybe we will know some of the language!
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