Confessions of Paris

Oh Pairi, you cast your spell over many with your lights and love. TV, films and pictures cast this exquisite picture of strolling down gorgeous cobblestone streets, filled with the romantic whisperings of French lovers, small green potted plants that sit on each side of red and white striped café roofs. It is known as the city of love, and what better place to tell someone you love them after climbing the Eiffel Tower at sunset to get a view over the whole city.

The dozens of engagements, the wine and cheese and alluring city beckons many to visit the capital of France. Parisians line the edge of canals after work sitting with friends over a shared bottle. Faint hums of conversation ring in the air, and my very basic knowledge of the language picks up a few words here and there as I try to piece together conversations.

But if you’ve ever been to Paris, you might of noticed this charming city isn’t the same through each arrondissement, or district. Made up of 20 districts each one has something different to offer. Those closest to the main canal, districts 1-7 are the stereotypical picture of Paris and also the most expensive as it lines river Seine. As you move to the outer districts, it isn’t quite so Parisian.

My first visit to Paris, I was beyond excited. This was a dream to see Paris, I’d learnt some basic words, studied a few maps and put together a list of things I wanted to see and do. My idea of Paris was an illusion though and I failed to fall in love with this supposedly magical city.

I feel taboo for admitting I did not love Paris, everyone generally raves about it. Yet with friends on a 2month trip, staying in central Paris was out of the budget. We had to stay in outer districts; it was dirty, so many drunks and homeless sat on the pavement, there were no cute cafes or French lovers walking hand in hand.

My second visit to Paris, we stayed in the 18^th District. Again, no red and white striped café roofs, French lovers or the hum of one of the world’s most romantic sounding language. There were dried eels and smelly fish sold in blue, white and red crates. There were no Parisians in berets and striped blouses, we could have been anywhere in the world, not Paris.

It may be a beautiful city in its heart, but once you leave this area, it lacks charm. See it once, yes, see it twice why not, but on a limited trip I wouldn’t plan to see it a third time – at least not for a while. The hustle and bustle of other cities like Berlin and Barcelona have stolen my heart. The peace and beauty of calm oceans and rugged mountains in Kotor are gorgeous, and the rocky cliffs and aqua blue waters of Cinque Terre cannot be compared.

One day I’ll be back and with a budget that allows me to stay in this romantic city’s heart, but until then I don’t love you the way I thought I would Paris..

Did you love Paris?

Exploring the magical garden of Paris

With the realisation hitting me of being the only (slight exaggeration) person left in my friendship group not going to Europe this Winter, I feel a little lost. Travel has always been my ‘thing’, something I have strived to do every few months. It’s something I feel I need and want. The act of uncovering raw and untouched beauty in the world around me makes me happy. So since I am not going, I have begun to relive my past trip. And whoa the memories are flooding in thick and past.

There was one day in Paris, France that was almost magical. I have dreamed about Paris since I was a little kid, the allure of love and lights is always hard to resist, but for me there was also the culture, so poised and dignified, the champagne and fancy wine, the clothes and fashion, so elegant and classic. My friends and I had decided to wander around the city that day on foot, to really explore what Paris had to offer. It was my first day of being the ‘tour’ guide, but I can’t read maps to save my life so we found ourselves in this quaint little garden located god knows where. The air was so fresh and crisp, a slight chill to the weather but nice nonetheless, the grass was green and carpeted the ground making it soft underfoot, rows of perfectly planted flowers and small trees flourished under the soft kiss of the sun. Sunflowers bloomed from the earth, their yellow faces turned towards the sky, little white flowers shrouded the earth below, creating a splash of colour between the dark green leaves. There were orange flowers, red flowers and even purple and blue flowers. If fairies were to exist, they would be dancing along the stems and flitting from flower to flower. The faint lullaby of birds sung in the background and wooden seats sat at the end of each row forcing the people sitting to marvel at the rows of flowers. It was picture-perfect. Yet it was also an experience you don’t get in your ‘to-do-list’ of Europe, moments like these aren’t written into your Guide to Paris book, these are moments you get from exploring, from getting lost and seeing something new.