This past week, I went to Paris after many years of dreaming what it would be like. I’ve actually been waiting to go on this specific trip for six years, and I was supposed to go last summer but couldn’t due to passport problems. Now that I’ve finally been able to go, I found that many of the things I imagined about it were not exactly how they turned out to be. I’m going to warn you now: I’m totally jet-lagged at the moment, so I’m only going to cover a few of the most famous sites.
The Eiffel Tower.
It’s a surreal experience to see the Eiffel Tower in person, after seeing it in so many movies and various other places. I even used to have my room decorated in a Paris theme, complete with a lamp shaped like the Tower. I couldn’t originally find the Eiffel Tower in the skyline after we took a taxi from the airport to our hotel located on Avenue des Champs Elysees — the heart of the city — and I had expected it to be an omnipresent site throughout the city. However, once we finally walked to it from our hotel and got in line for tickets to the top, I was able to understand what makes it so magnificent. Before we’d even ascended in the surprisingly steady lift, it was clear that this was an architectural feat and one to be adored for generations and generations.
"The Mona Lisa" (courtesy of Musee du Louvre).
I’d been told to expect that "The Mona Lisa" is smaller and darker than one would imagine, and that it’s totally encased in glass with too many people crowding around it; the general impression I’d received was almost that it was not worth it. Because I’d heard over and over that it’s a very small painting, I actually ended up picturing it much smaller than it is. I was also pleasantly surprised when the painting wasn’t as dark as I thought it would be, either. The glass didn’t bother me too much, and all the people craning to look at it weren’t bad if you just waited your turn to get to the front of the crowd. I was wishing I had more time to admire the beautiful piece of artwork, but I forced myself to walk away after a few lingering moments to let the many others have a chance to see.
The personality of Parisians.
As long as I can remember, I’ve heard various stereotypes about how Parisians are rude, especially to Americans, and especially to Americans who don’t speak any French. I never once encountered this. Every Parisian I met was very helpful: once when my mom and I went into an underground parking station by accident, a woman gave us directions to the closest Metro station, our true destination. I’ve also been told stories of Americans turned away from certain cafes when they didn’t speak French. At every restaurant we ate, the staff could speak English, and didn’t mind that we didn’t speak French. Even though I have a decent understanding of the language, thanks to a year and a half since being in a French class, I didn’t feel confident enough to speak any French — but it didn’t matter either way. My French did come in handy when reading signs and menus and maps, though.
I would love to keep writing about Paris, but my jet lag just isn’t having it. Honestly, it’s best to just go to Paris and have your own expectations confirmed or denied, because it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You won’t regret it!
