Walking around the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars a small detail caught my eye—the Parisian litter on the ground. I have lived in both New York and Chicago and unlike the usual city garbage, the ground around the Eiffel Tower had remnants of rose petals and tops to champagne bottles; the perfect representation of the city itself—romantic and full of life. Paris, La Ville Lumière or the ‘City of Light’ is everything it is built up to be.
I had just visited Notre Dame, jumped on the metro and let out a squeal as I exited the subway and saw the Eiffel Tower towering high at the end of a street. When I first saw the Eiffel Tower it was surreal, like being in a place you are familiar with yet never visited. Standing in front of the iconic structure I felt silly just taking pictures, as if I should pay homage to it through song or dance or writing.
My first day in France was amazing and I had to keep reminding myself that there was time to explore and let Paris reveal itself to me. Of course there are more sights to see and museums to visit but my favorite part of any place I visit are the streets.
Roaming the streets and losing yourself in any city is the best way to acquaint yourself with any new place. In Paris, the streets are as romantic as the language, impressive as the sights and the food is as elegantly presented as the Parisians themselves.
My first day in Paris ended with a pair of macaroons from Laduree, a place known as mastering the art of the macaroon, and a delicious meal. Everything in France is delicious, wonderful and so vibrant that you can’t help but wonder if these Europeans know more about living life to its fullest than Americans will ever understand.
