Paris is supposedly the most visited tourist destination in the world! (with 45 million tourists ever year). My trip to Paris, was my first real experience of traveling on international territory solo!, that too with a toddler in tow!.
My journey from Stuttgart to Paris in a high speed TGV train was a first- of- a- kind experience, with the train zooming part the French countryside at speeds crossing 300 kmph!. My ears were ringing all along!. The train made only two stops on its journey- Karlsruhe and Strassboug.
My first view of Paris was from the portico of the Gare de Est railway station- a majestic looking building with a beautiful foyer buzzing with activity. Paris looked like a city in a hurry- people rushing for taxis and trains. But there was a wonderful old charm in all the modernist activity. The architecture was amazingly quaint, so preciously preserved along the ages.
But the streets were all confusing!. Narrow and heavily signed, they were a maze for any newcomer. My taxi driver had no problem maneuvering his way through all the mayhem. The city as such was not very clean and green like most European cities.
Its true what they say about the Eiffel Tower- one can see it from anyway in Paris!. It is so towering- so unique and eye-catching- it stands out in the Parisan landscape like nothing else!. Especially at night, with its lights glittering away- its no wonder that the Eiffel tower is the most paid monument in the world!. Its even more awesome that a monument of such stature was built in 1889!.
Getting around in Paris by bus was easy but also long and tiresome. The locals were surprisingly friendly. Even more surprising, were the numbers of immigrant population- seems ethinic minorities in Paris account for 30% of the population.
The Lourve Museum, bang in the middle of Paris, was a huge disappointment. It was HUGE!- just too HUGE to see! (one may need at least a week to see it in toto!). And it was anything but kid-friendly!. Even after spending a good half day in the Lourve, I came out feeling like I hadn't seen a thing!.
The most memorable sight from my Paris trip was the palace of Versaillis. Absolutely splendid!. Everything about the place reflects the aristocratic arrogance, it once housed.
My journey from Stuttgart to Paris in a high speed TGV train was a first- of- a- kind experience, with the train zooming part the French countryside at speeds crossing 300 kmph!. My ears were ringing all along!. The train made only two stops on its journey- Karlsruhe and Strassboug.
My first view of Paris was from the portico of the Gare de Est railway station- a majestic looking building with a beautiful foyer buzzing with activity. Paris looked like a city in a hurry- people rushing for taxis and trains. But there was a wonderful old charm in all the modernist activity. The architecture was amazingly quaint, so preciously preserved along the ages.
But the streets were all confusing!. Narrow and heavily signed, they were a maze for any newcomer. My taxi driver had no problem maneuvering his way through all the mayhem. The city as such was not very clean and green like most European cities.
Its true what they say about the Eiffel Tower- one can see it from anyway in Paris!. It is so towering- so unique and eye-catching- it stands out in the Parisan landscape like nothing else!. Especially at night, with its lights glittering away- its no wonder that the Eiffel tower is the most paid monument in the world!. Its even more awesome that a monument of such stature was built in 1889!.
Getting around in Paris by bus was easy but also long and tiresome. The locals were surprisingly friendly. Even more surprising, were the numbers of immigrant population- seems ethinic minorities in Paris account for 30% of the population.
The Lourve Museum, bang in the middle of Paris, was a huge disappointment. It was HUGE!- just too HUGE to see! (one may need at least a week to see it in toto!). And it was anything but kid-friendly!. Even after spending a good half day in the Lourve, I came out feeling like I hadn't seen a thing!.
The most memorable sight from my Paris trip was the palace of Versaillis. Absolutely splendid!. Everything about the place reflects the aristocratic arrogance, it once housed.
No comments:
Post a Comment