I wrote before that I had never been to France, but I went about two weeks ago and I loved it. It has a very different feel than London, where I’m living now. It’s just so much more sensual in every way, and it’s walkable, unlike London, which allows you to meander through the city’s labyrinthine streets and soak up the atmosphere. It also seemed like every restaurant had outside seating, even in December (they all had outside heaters.)
You can explore on foot and experience everything while just kind of walking around; the amazing food, the iconic monuments and attractions, the beautiful and ageless architecture, the incredibly well dressed and made-up women who manage to look like they are indifferent to dressing well or being made up, and the blue sky, which is certainly not unique to Paris, but coming from London had been missed and was much needed. You can take the train from London, or find ferry offers to France
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So although I took lots of pictures at some of the big attractions, here is a wanderer’s look at Paris…..
Yes, that’s me. And yes, that’s a beret. It’s red and bright and it looked fantastic on me. I know what you’re thinking. I usually I try and not look like too much of a tourist. But I was in Paris, the number one tourist destination in the world. So I decided to really make an effort to blend in with the locals. Hence the beret.
(Okay, I mostly just took it out for the pictures. Mostly).
The beautiful Seine, close to Notre Dame. There is a bridge. And a tree. Okay, so I admit there’s not that much going on here. Except an awesome photograph.
Here’s the Louvre. Yes, the Lourvre is one, of if not the best, art Museums in the world, but the building and the surrounding grounds are a work of art as well. It’s just hard to photograph because it’s so damn big. Everything on the side of this mounstrous castle is ornate and decorated with sculpture and statues.
The very modern looking glass pyramid is a nice touch as well. The fusion of old and new, and all that. I was so in awe I forgot my beret.
I’m selling this picture to the highest bidding indie rock band to use as an album cover. I think it would be best for a synthpop post-punk folk noisewave band.
One thing I’ve been impressed with in London is how well the British do grassy spaces in the middle of cities. The Parisians do fountains extremely well. They are everywhere, and they are ancient looking, and they have strong and consistent water pressure. I had to pee alot while I was there.
“It’s too bad the French don’t have a word for entrepreneur.”- George W Bush, May 26, 2002.
I was feeling particularly festive here. This was over in Montmartre, an awesome neighborhood close to our hostel.
The beauty of Paris is all around…..including in my beret.
This is Montmarte Cemetery. It’s very creepy and incredibly gothic feeling. At some point they outlawed cemteries in Paris for health reasons. Many famous artists are buried here.
The world famous Moulin Rouge. I wanted to see the show there, but I won’t even tell you how expensive it was.
As a native Parisian, I’m naturally a little disapointed in the way the Foie Gras is beings used for fast food purposes here.
Foie Gras in a good parisian restuarant is crazy good, by the way. It’s like delicious meat butter.
“Le French Burger.” That’s French for “the French Burger.”
“The City of Lights. ” That name is no joke.
Lights and fountains. This is also the red light district. There was all sorts of craziness going on just out of frame.
The French even vandalize in artistic ways.
Parts of Paris do have a gritty feel. This one is going to be a an underground hip-hop album cover at some point.
This was right before I stole one of those mopeds, which are everywhere, so I assumed mine wouldn’t be missed.
This was in the biggest supermarket in Paris. This section is the American/Canadian section. It was amazing. As you can see, American food is: cranberry sauce, cheez whiz, pumpkin pie filling, peanut butter, ranch dressing, and, my favorite, French dressing. In the American section. In a French supermarket. I love it.
Wait, do the french not have a word for “Hangover?”
Next to this pool there was a guy renting these wooden ships. You could pay him a couple Euros and then put the boat in the pool. What made it yours was that you also recieved a stick you could poke it with. The world needs more of this.
Whose smile is more mysterious?