Paris
Paris! The name itself conjures up all the preconceptions of romance, history, wine, baguettes, museums, and of course the Eiffel Tower. Are all these preconceptions justified? a big WEE!!
I'm strolling down a anonymous back street in the centre of Paris and I come across a monument that's older than civilization in NZ.
I'm sitting in the metro (which in itself is a museum) and an busker suddenly starts playing a typical French tune in the background.
Sitting down for dinner, a street seller offers to sell you a dozen red roses...
All these examples seem so cliche now that I'm back in the land of cheese, but once you're immersed in the intoxicating atmosphere of Paris - all these things seem so novel.
I did have one major disappointment - the Mona Lisa. I was underwhelmed by it seemingly A4 size - I imagined that the most analysed painting in the world would have a bigger footprint.
However, I was impressed by how the background was actually an extension of the models state of mind (plus the half smile\smirk)...
And on the Eiffel Tower... yes it's tall, old and surrounded by some impressive architecture. However I was more astonded by the surrounding lights that seem to extend to infinity when you're up the tower at night.
One major recommendation I have for future traveler's to Paris: Take a significant other - unless you're going for the history/architecture, Paris becomes like any other old European city.
On to London...
I'm strolling down a anonymous back street in the centre of Paris and I come across a monument that's older than civilization in NZ.
I'm sitting in the metro (which in itself is a museum) and an busker suddenly starts playing a typical French tune in the background.
Sitting down for dinner, a street seller offers to sell you a dozen red roses...
All these examples seem so cliche now that I'm back in the land of cheese, but once you're immersed in the intoxicating atmosphere of Paris - all these things seem so novel.
I did have one major disappointment - the Mona Lisa. I was underwhelmed by it seemingly A4 size - I imagined that the most analysed painting in the world would have a bigger footprint.
However, I was impressed by how the background was actually an extension of the models state of mind (plus the half smile\smirk)...
And on the Eiffel Tower... yes it's tall, old and surrounded by some impressive architecture. However I was more astonded by the surrounding lights that seem to extend to infinity when you're up the tower at night.
One major recommendation I have for future traveler's to Paris: Take a significant other - unless you're going for the history/architecture, Paris becomes like any other old European city.
On to London...
posted by Pete at 11:11 PM
2 Comments:
I was very disappointed when I saw the Mona Lisa as well. All of my life I expected this huge portrait. It was exciting to actually see it in real life though. Hope you enjoyed your trip to Paris.
He, awesome you've been to paris.
Me and julija followed your tip automatically and brought eachother. I think i've been to Paris several times, never been in any museum. Spent all of my time walking, visiting churches and drinking wine.. aah la douce France :) Everybody should enjoy paris at least several times ... Seems like you did it, but you forgot to metion your hotel, i heard some stories about that ..
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