Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Paris
It used to be that I was not all that fond of trips to Paris. France i had no problem with, but Paris has always been a bit different. The Parisians in general can be a bit snooty and rude to you if they do not feel like giving you the time of day. In the last few months during this round of promotional work we have come to Paris four or five times and i must say my outlook has change drastically.
Known throughout the world as both the city of love, or the most romantic city, and also as La Ville-Lumière, or city of light. It has offered me hope in my personal life to perhaps have a little faith with regards to the heart. Seeing the various couples bundled up on the streets in the sub zero temperatures holding hands or arm in arm while walking has been an inspiration to me. The cafes, restaurants and brasseries are always steaming with people at all hours of the day/night for a drink or bite to eat. Through my experiences in dealing with Parisians it has become aware that if you only try to speak a little french and make a bit of an effort some of the attitude or snootiness will disappear. Let me just say that I have a very limited vocabulary en francais, but i enjoy trying and perhaps will put forth some time on my own accord and learn a little more. The other night i went to see a DJ and friend of mine in a hip french club and when the night was done I decided that ordering late night crepes was something i could do for my friend and I. let me just say it was a funny experience to say the least and his sandwich was far more tastier than mine! The point is i tried and everyone was warm and accepting of my effort.
One can only begin to describe the architecture and general style of the buildings as magnificent! With a bit research i discovered that pre 19th century the city of Paris was basically a maze of narrow streets lined with half-timber houses. However beginning in 1852, the Baron Haussmann's urbanisation program involved leveling entire quarters to make way for wide avenues lined with neo-classical stone buildings of grandiose standing.
One of the most famous landmarks in the world is visible from most areas of the city. I am of course speaking about the Eiffel Tower. It is the tallest building in Paris and the single most visited paid monument in the world!
Another famous monument important to the city is of course the Arc de Triomphe. It is an arc structure that stands at the western end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées commemorating the soldiers that died fighting for France in the various wars throughout time. If you have ever been here to Paris and know what i am talking about you will also regard it has being the center point of one of the most fucked up traffic circles ever! Seriously its basically a spin cycle of cars going around and around and god help you if you need to exit and find yourself on the inside. I have no idea how accidents are avoided but strangely enough the percentage seems to be quite low as i have yet to see one.
So we have one more day here in France and then its off to our final promotional destination of 2009, the city of Roma Italy. In all my travels i have yet to find myself in a city nearly as fascinating as Rome is. Utterly breathtaking and beyond words. i will try and make sure i take some photos to include with my documenting of my time in Rome. I leave you now with a few shots from the city of love, or the city of light, whichever you prefer....
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