Paris seems all about the now. The sensuality, the food, the constant smoking, the beauty all around, it's all part of what seems like a worldview based on what's aesthetically pleasing. It's also where the French Revolution happened and priests were beheaded. It's where the existentialists hung out and debated how to get the most out of life, free of false beliefs. You can … [Read more...] about Entering the “Empire of Death” in Paris
Paris
Expectations vs. Reality at the Eiffel Tower
There are a few universally recognizable symbols. The Eiffel tower is one of those. I say symbol, because even a crudely sketched silhouette of the tower is instantly recognizable. Symbols are simple images that instantly evoke a whole mess of associations. Three lines are all you need to make an Eiffel tower, and when people see those three lines they will think of France, … [Read more...] about Expectations vs. Reality at the Eiffel Tower
Narrowing Down the Bucket List in Paris
I had never been to Paris before last week. Yes, people often find that a bit shocking, giving how much travel I've done. For many people (and these people, I think, are mostly women) Paris is THE travel destination. It's the top of the list for many, a bucket list destination that the mere act of bringing someone to is in and of itself a kind of declaration of love. I'm not … [Read more...] about Narrowing Down the Bucket List in Paris
The Food of Paris : Eating in Paris
As much as I love travel, and eating, and traveling when eating, I'm really not much of a foodie. Yes, I will occasionally take pictures of food that is put in front of me at restaurants. And yes, I did focus mainly on eating when I went to Paris. But I think Paris can bring out the foodie in anyone. I, for example, spent an afternoon eating cheese and wine. I like … [Read more...] about The Food of Paris : Eating in Paris
How to Find French Cuisine in Paris…(Hint: It's not that hard)
After I returned from Paris, people asked me what I did there. Although I did actually see a good amount of sites and attractions, I always answered with a simple: "I ate." Those trips to the catacombs, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre were fun and eye opening and educational, but mostly they were attempts to walk off the previous meal and kill time before the next … [Read more...] about How to Find French Cuisine in Paris…(Hint: It's not that hard)