When I was in Paris I had a lot of moments, kind of like that phrase “In a New York minute” which refers to one crazy unpredictable moment leading to something else that is completely different. When I got to Paris I made a deal with myself to get distracted. Not follow a guide book every day and definitely do not carry around a map or look like a tourist. I wanted to become a part of the city life. Get to know the area I stayed in (Bastille) and let each Paris moment take me to the next. I emailed Ryan everyday about my adventures and misadventures. I started keeping score. Paris was in the lead for a very long time, but before I left I tied up the score. Below are some of my favorite adventures, and some small mentions of my misadventures.
Traveling alone is a must! Finally doing what you have always wanted to do, is a must! i have been talking about Paris for about 8 years. When I finally went it felt like the end to a chapter in my life, and the beginning of a new one.
When my little sister went to the mountains of Dominican Republic this year to work with children in medical clinics and schools, I gave her this quote. It is probably my favorite.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Before I left, I had coincidentally just finished reading Marie Antoinette: The Journey By: Antonia Fraser. One of France’s beloved biographers. I had fallen in love with her detailed descriptions of life at Versailles. I made it a day trip to visit the Palace, I spent about 6 hours roaming around the grounds, gardens and the palace. The property is so big they pick up tourists in golf carts and take them to the far corners of the property. This below and above is Marie Antoinette’s private villa. Petit Trianon. It is my favorite place in Versailles. Being there made everything I read so real. It was an honor to visit.
This is the inside of Marie Antoinette’s room. her monogram is embroidered on the ceiling! I caught a few more shots of this room, but there were about 150 people pushing behind me to get a glimpse. There wasn’t a part of the room that wasn’t decorated.
I took the bus to Eiffel Tower, I walked underneath and saw 4 lines. 3 really long lines, and one short line to go to the top. I thought to myself, these people don’t know what they are missing, why would they want to stand around for 30 mins when they can just breeze on into the tower in this short line. I realized when I paid my ticket that I would be walking up the stairs and not taking an elevator.
292 steps to the first level!! Score 1 point for Paris then I paid 7 euro’s for a croissant and water when I got to the top. I would give Paris another point for that one, but they don’t deserve it.
My view from the top! They are all about the chimney’s there. Getting to the top gave me a chance to see the city, I was wondering around without a guide book so I was most likely missing out on stuff I would want to see. But the view at the top of the tower was better than any guide book, It put the city into context for me. And it lead me to Sacre Coeur, which I had forgotten about. If I had taken the elevator up instead of the stairs it would have taken me one level higher, and on the opposite side of where I was looking. I might not have seen the church. I think it was meant to be walking up 292 steps, plus it worked out my calves. Point for Erika!
Getting to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur is interesting. The metro drops you off on a street, and then the crowd of people start walking up this giant hill. You can’t see anything except the buildings directly around you. Then you are there. The artsy area where Picasso used to chill. Artists painting on side streets, people in cafes, live music.It is very much alive. And yet you still cannot see Sacre Coeur. You walk through all the shops and artisans, and then you see a piece of it.
This is a pic from the walk up and a cute bar covered in people’s autographs and photos.
This is part of what you see, and of course you think its great.
Then you turn the corner and its bustling with people, live entertainment, and a view that rivals the view from Eiffel Tower.
This was a very surreal moment for me, just sitting on the steps at Sacre Coeur, listening to some Parisians butcher a Bryan Adams song, and the view that blows your mind.
I have one more post about Paris left, stay tuned!
Erika
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by Erika Hanchar
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