Day three from Paris,
We are sitting at a Starbucks enjoying a latte of all places (it is very popular amongst the French it seems and yes they are everywhere just like back home) while the city enjoys some hours of rain and cooler temperatures. Our first days of Paris have been marked with miles of walking and marvelling at the neighbourhoods and monuments the Parisians spend there daily lives amongst. Here are are some observations and thoughts of Paris and our trip as we have reached the half-way mark of our journey:
1, Montparnasse: our hotel is in the 14th district, a few blocks from the Luxembourg Gradens. In between is the main nightlife of the area with cafe's on every corner, Parisians enjoying dinner to late in the evening and then the small narrow streets in which their daily lives are spent; patisserie's, vegetable and fruit stands, la butcherie, le fromage, la vin, etc. The pace of regular Parisian life is markably slower than the chaos of the tourist destinations in Paris and Parisian's seem to know how to slow down and enjoy life.
2. The city of lights is beautiful. The architecture of the buildings, the tree lined streets, the enormous boulevards extending from one monument to another, the dramatic difference between day and night. It all amounts to a wonder for the senses as you walk from place to place. Each neighbourhood throughout the city has its own unique character and intrigue. We have especially liked walking through St Germine and Montamare.
2. Language: Elaine's biggest concern on our trip was the language barrier once we left London, and, while we have 'butchered' the French language, Persians have tolerated it and have even been patient and pleasant with us. The language barrier has caused some interesting happenings at dinner time though. Michael tried to order a 2nd glass of wine but it never came! She simply took the glass and walked away. Last night, we sat down at a cafe to rest our weary legs, have a drink and order an appetizer. We asked the waiter what he would suggest is a good sharing plate. We were unsure of his suggestion and said we would think about it, yet, 5 minutes later, there is was at our table. A strange meal it was, cured meats, pate, petit pickles, mustard and bread. But we did eat all of it!
3. The people-watching is the best we've seen anywhere. There are all kinds! Paris is the gathering place for all the nations of the world and it's wonderful to see such diversity without prejudice. Even better if you happen to catch them talking to one another -- French is such a beautiful language and regardless of nationality seems to known by all. Unfortunately, public smoking is extremely prevalent in London and Paris, the absence of which we have taken for granted back home. And so we just have learned to relax and enjoy the world around us when we want to join 'the cafe life' or walk within the city.
4. One negative; tourists in Paris are a 'nightmare' in attitude and action. If it's a famous 'something' you can be sure to be trampled over as all the cameras come out and men and women clamour to get their picture taken. The worst must have been in the Louvre and the Mona Lisa. While famous, it really is unimpressive is contrast to the amazing art throughout the rest of the the Louvre and yet hundreds every few minutes jostle into the room where the painting is and then loose all sense of decorum in order to get their picture taken next to it. We barely got out of there alive! But so it is everywhere throughout the city.
Well, the laundry is now done and its time to wade back into the hordes visiting the city right now. We are off to the Sacre-Coeur (a wonderful Cathedral), and then an evening dinner gazing at the lights of the Eiffel Tower.
Michael & Elaine
