My trip is coming to a close with only 2 cities left to visit. I cannot believe how time has flown. I have a second cousin living just outside of Paris, who invited me to stay with her and her family. I cannot even express my gratitude for their hospitality at the end of my trip when my budget is dwindling dangerously low. For 3 days and 4 nights, they housed and fed the poor backpacking vagabond they had not seen in probably 10 years or better. They also gave me a free ticket to Disneyland, Paris, which was a really fun way to spend a day. I'll write about that day trip separately. (Thanks Therese and family!)
I found the city of Paris relatively difficult to navigate during my short stay. I'm sure given more time I would eventually get the hang of it, but the roads just seem to criss-cross all over the map, and the subways systems are hard to follow to say the least. However, it still only took me two days to see most of the important sights around the city. I didn't see the Palace of Versailles or any other sites outside of the city, but I am sure there will be time for that on another trip. Especially since I just heard that my good friend Jenny will be moving here in January! (Congrats Jenny!)
Also, since my budget is waning, as well as my patience for lines, I didn't bother climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower or even entering the Louvre. Instead I simply enjoyed strolling and just taking everything in slowly. Paris really is a very lovely city. I had been preparing myself for a letdown as far as the Eiffel Tower was concerned, but was pleasantly surprised to find myself blown away by the magnificence of the structure. I sat in the Champ de Mars and enjoyed a lunch of fresh baguette and fruit while taking in the beauty and magnitude of the iconic tower. The area of Mountmartre was also really beautiful to stroll through. I started in Pris' redlight district, passing the famed Moulin Rouge before making a sharp right and walking up a steep cobble-stoned street. You could tell that once upon a time this had been a starving artists neighborhood, but like so many NYC neighborhoods it was overcome by its trendiness, prices starrted rising, pushing the artists out, and before you know it the tourists buses come rolling in and things get kitschy. There is one street in particular, lined with shops and cafes that was just a little touristy for my taste, but to give it its due, if you're into that stuff it is rather cute. This path leads to a massive cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, perched on a cliff side that is definitely worth a look both inside and out. The site of the basilica offers a beautiful birds eye view of the city.
More than any place I have been to to-date, Paris for some reason reminded me the most of NYC. It had its old-world charm that seems to ooze from just about every European city, but it was more of a feeling as I was walking through the streets. It's hard to explain, but it is making me miss home more and more.
I found the city of Paris relatively difficult to navigate during my short stay. I'm sure given more time I would eventually get the hang of it, but the roads just seem to criss-cross all over the map, and the subways systems are hard to follow to say the least. However, it still only took me two days to see most of the important sights around the city. I didn't see the Palace of Versailles or any other sites outside of the city, but I am sure there will be time for that on another trip. Especially since I just heard that my good friend Jenny will be moving here in January! (Congrats Jenny!)
Also, since my budget is waning, as well as my patience for lines, I didn't bother climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower or even entering the Louvre. Instead I simply enjoyed strolling and just taking everything in slowly. Paris really is a very lovely city. I had been preparing myself for a letdown as far as the Eiffel Tower was concerned, but was pleasantly surprised to find myself blown away by the magnificence of the structure. I sat in the Champ de Mars and enjoyed a lunch of fresh baguette and fruit while taking in the beauty and magnitude of the iconic tower. The area of Mountmartre was also really beautiful to stroll through. I started in Pris' redlight district, passing the famed Moulin Rouge before making a sharp right and walking up a steep cobble-stoned street. You could tell that once upon a time this had been a starving artists neighborhood, but like so many NYC neighborhoods it was overcome by its trendiness, prices starrted rising, pushing the artists out, and before you know it the tourists buses come rolling in and things get kitschy. There is one street in particular, lined with shops and cafes that was just a little touristy for my taste, but to give it its due, if you're into that stuff it is rather cute. This path leads to a massive cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, perched on a cliff side that is definitely worth a look both inside and out. The site of the basilica offers a beautiful birds eye view of the city.
More than any place I have been to to-date, Paris for some reason reminded me the most of NYC. It had its old-world charm that seems to ooze from just about every European city, but it was more of a feeling as I was walking through the streets. It's hard to explain, but it is making me miss home more and more.
Opera House
Loved this storefront window
The Louvre...eventually I will come back and actually go inside
Napoleon's Tomb
The Arc Triomphe
The Arc Triomphe
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Moulin Rouge in Paris' redlight district
Basilica of Sacre-Coeur located on the Mountmartre
view of the Eiffel Tower from Mountmartre
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