The City Of Light, And I Belong To It
What City Belongs To You?
In June of this year, I made the mistake of taking my cousin to Paris when he came to visit me. Yeah, I know, he’s going to read this blog and get offended but let’s preface this shall we? Let’s be clear, I love my cousin more than my right arm. I don’t have any problems with him at all in fact he is my favorite cousin and I have never had a bad time with him at all. It’s just that we were in Paris, and I can’t be disturbed in Paris. I feel like Paris is a city that has something to say to me every time I am there, and I have to pay attention. It’s now August and I have been back to Paris three times since my cousin and I were there in June.
Children play around on the sign that leads you to Saint Leon’s Church.
What Do I Go To Paris For? Five Primary Reasons I Visit the City Of Light Often.
From where I live, Paris is a three hour trip by train. I can just as well get to Berlin in the same amount of time. Amsterdam, Hamburg, Brussels, and Munich are even closer than that. If I had to choose a weekend getaway, I’d choose Paris over any of these cities any day, even if the ticket was more expensive. Why, you ask? I have five primary reasons that I need to be in Paris often; It’s the right kind of big, its diversity, it has a lot of its own thing, Its unapologetically French, last of all but probably most important, The people.
The city is what I call “the right kind of big”. I have been to so many different cities and get confused easily how some cities can be so big and important, but you can’t get around in the city easily. That’s not the case in Paris. Paris is big geographically and population wise but it’s very easy to get from one side of the city to another with its series of public transportation. Generally, though, you don’t need to go to the other side of the city unless it’s important. Each area is unique. There is plenty to do in every area of the city. Each respective area is walkable or bikeable and you don’t need to catch a cab unless you really want to. In contrast, I remember being in Houston, Texas many years ago being bored out of my mind. There weren’t many sidewalks and the public transportation consisted of a bus running every twenty minutes or so. I was with some work colleagues, and we decided to go to a restaurant. It took is over two hours to drive four miles during rush hour. Houston is the wrong kind of big.
There is no question that Paris is diverse. After having been a colonial power for so long they are expected to have people from everywhere and they do, even from all parts of Asia. There is really no difference in class or any other demographic. There is simply the have and have nots. You may see an Asian restaurant right next to an American chicken restaurant located next to an Italian spot.
A lone pedestrian walks the streets around Republic on an overcast day.
The “hustle and bustle” of some places in Paris are not as as bad as cities much smaller in comparison.
It has so much of its own thing. I’m going to tie this point and the next “Its unapologetically French” together. I mean you can see something that is quintessentially Parisian in Paris. I know that might sound a bit ridiculous but it’s true. I could use the beret for example but that’s too easy. The Vetra work jacket is another one of those small things. Everyone from men to women and even children seem to have one. I’ve been to very many cities in Europe, most hip, others conservative and haven’t seen anyone wearing the Vetra jacket.
Food is another one of those things. Paris is a huge city and I’m there a lot all over the city and haven’t seen very many American “food” chains like McDonalds, Burger King, etc. You can see a Starbucks most places but from my observation, most of the people there are tourist. Locals get their coffee and pastries from the very many cafes available.
I can tell you one hundred percent the biggest, “Unapologetically French” example is the fact that you will be expected to speak French. It seems ridiculous that you will be expected to speak the national language in a specific country but it’s not always like that. Take Germany for example. I speak a good bit of German, close to fluent. Most times when I go to places, I don’t even get the opportunity to speak the language because they initiate a conversation with me in English. In Berlin (Mitte) for example, I very often hear German speaking English to other Germans. It’s very different from Paris. A lot of Parisians speak English, but most don’t and don’t have a desire. I like that actually.
The last reason is for the people. What more can I say about them? I’ll start with ending the rude French person cliché. Its untrue. They are some of the nicest people in the world and very sincere. I made the comment earlier about speaking French. I can say maybe three or four sentences in French, other than that I am lost. That small amount of French that I do speak goes a long way with these people and they are eager to help and bend over backwards for me after I’ve exhausted everything I know.
This gentlemen was from Columbia and living in Paris. He said that he always wears a blazer and tie no matter the occasion. I found it hard to believe that he goes on a daily run wearing a blazer.
I had to get this gentlemen’s attention three or four times to order breakfast and to pay. He told me he’d get to me when he saw fit and that I should enjoy my meal. I told him “Yes Sir”.
It was easy to take a picture of this friendly woman. She told me that she loves Laurence Fischburne. I think she really meant Denzel Washington though.
A gentlemen poses for a portrait I meet at a book market in Paris. He is a street photographer who so happened to be releasing a photography book.
Conclusion.
I really do feel like Paris is my special place and that it belongs to me. It’s a place I hold near and dear to my heart more so than any other place I have been to for any extensive period. When I’m there I get the urge to write, to draw, to paint, to be creative. When this city talks I should listen and I do.