Paris, the City of Lights. How True....

This is my first post of the year 2007. And what a way to start blogging again. This post will be about my Paris trip. Remember the one of "self-discovery" and all that load of crap? haha!

This trip has been one of many "firsts" for me. First time travelling alone, first time on Eurostar, first time staying in a hostel, first time meeting people from so many other countries and many more. That's one of the reasons why it is so very very memorable.

Paris is a beautiful city. The streets, the buildings and even the people. Every where you walk you feel as if you are walking on history. The roads, many of them are still those pebbled road, withstood the tests of time. Every step u take, you can't help but wonder who has stepped on this before you. Art is everywhere. Now I truly understand why so many artists come to Paris for inspiration. I even met a few artists myself at the hostel who were travelling in Paris. Of course, I visited all the famous places like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Cathedral of Notre Dame, etc.

Talking about cathedrals. I visited 2 very famous cathedrals in Paris, the Sacre Coeur and the Notre Dame. Both are architecturally stunning. It's a pity that the atmosphere was spoilt by tourists like me. They were having mass and we were like strolling through the cathedral. I found more serenity and tranquility in a church I accidentally found while walking to Les Invalides(the place where the tomb of Napoleon is).

Back to Paris. It is really beautiful at night. All the monuments are spectacularly lighted up at night. Sometimes I even feel it's better to go visit the monuments at night. A very good example is the Eiffel Tower. I felt that it is glorious at night. The yellow light making it glow as if it were made of gold. And every hour, on the hour, it will light up further with blinking lights (sort of like the type you see on Christmas trees) and at the top there's a powerful spotlight that shines around like a light house. On top of that, the scale of the tower makes it ever more magnificent. (especially if you are standing under it like I did)

Many things happened in Paris that made the trip very enjoyable and memorable. I went clubbing and drinking with the ang mohs (hostel mates) and experienced Paris nightlife and tequila shots. Got stuck Metro at 5 am on New Years day. Strolled down the sleaziest area of Paris, the Moulin Rouge area where all the sex shops and strip clubs are. NARROWLY missing my train to Strasbourg. (And I mean NARROWLY as in woke up half an hour before the train left and boarding the train just as the operator was about to close the door and drive off). Not to mention a wonderful time at the Eiffel Tower celebrating the New Year. There are too many things that happened. Even if I could write it all out, you wouldn't read it. Ask me if you want.

But one thing happened that had the greatest effect on the trip. Before I set off, I thought that I would meet SOME people. And they would be a peripheral part of the trip. I couldn't be more wrong. The trip WAS about the people. Hostel life allows travellers who are all keen to meet new people and learn new things to interact. I met people from all over the world. The US, Iran, Canada, Spain, Armenia, Australia, etc. It was GREAT! We talked about life in our country, what we do, what we think about certain issues and what we like. I realized that the world is so so big and wonderful. With so many things to see and so many people to meet. People lead so vastly different lives that upon hearing about them you'd think that they weren't from planet Earth (ok I'm exagerating a little. But you get my point). I love learning about them. Had such a wonderful time just interacting.

The people were all so keen to learn about each other. Even if you just met, it doesn't matter. Even if you might not tell them what's your background, it doesn't matter. Even if you are not from the same generation, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is your presence and friendship. You feel so readily accepted without doubt or query. And in return you learn to accept others for who they are and be empathetic to their situation, be it whether they tell you the truth or not. I wouldn't have stayed in a hotel even if it's for free. What I had at the hostel was priceless. And this is what made it all worthwhile despite the crappy bed, freezing rooms, lack of lockers and lousy shower facilities.

The people I had the greatest fun with were my room mates.There's Chris(US, Chicago) and Gerrard(New Zealand). Both of them are great, funny and earnest guys. They are travelling together. Chris is a stuntman who used to be and F1 driver(how cool is that!) and Gerrard is a CG artist working on NARNIA(how cool is that too!). Had the greatest time talking to them, partying and getting wasted. Haha! (I did a fair bit of drinking in France. Other than the occasional whiskey and tequila, it was ALOT of wine, since it's cheap.) Then there's Sina (Iran), Fred (Iran) and Dion(Armenia). All 3 are from the University of Birmingham. What a small world. Fred is crazy about Disney characters. He said he grew up with them. He was so happy to go to Disneyland. Learnt alot about Iran and Armenia from them. We exchanged emails. Maybe I would go and visit them some day. We had a great time partying at the Eiffel Tower celebrating the New Year. All of us went crazy. Haha!

Talking about celebrating New Year at the Eiffel Tower. It was great. The crowd was amazing. Everyone cheered when the Eiffel Tower lit up to signify the start of 2007. Champagne and wine immediately popped out of no where and disappeared into our stomachs. Everyone was hugging each other, saying "Bon Anee!" and wishing each other the best in the new year. At that point in time I thought it is really fate that brought these people together at this special time to share this extraordinary memory. This is TRULY once in a lifetime. 2007 is never gonna come again. This group of people might never ever meet again.

By the time I came back to London, I was really satisfied. There was no feeling of the trip ending too soon. There was no wish of the trip ending earlier. Everything was just right. I did what I set out to do and achieved even more than what I had expected. I had the time of my life. Did things I never thought of doing. Met people whom I never knew existed. Learnt alot about Paris, the world and myself. I felt rehcarged by the trip and not at all tired mentally. I tell myself," This is not going to be the last time. I'll do this again!"

(photos on flickr)