This time, the trip
through the countryside was conducted in daylight hours, and it was
as green and beautiful as promised. When I say green, I don't mean
green forest mind, but rolling green hills. This was a bright and
lovely green indeed. It figures, of course, the sun would finally
shine on our way out!
There wasn't
honestly much to see however. Most of France lives in Paris, and
those that don't tend to live in either the suburbs of Paris, or on
farms. There is, according to our guide, very little else.
There was, at this
one odd point, evenly space tie dye balls on wire on one side of the
road, and tie dye blocks set into the opposite hill. I was both
amused and curious, but the guide didn't know, so no answer there.
Still, it was interesting, and they had obviously been there awhile,
so maybe one day I'll find out.
That's essentially
why I can include both halves here.
Paris was a
beautiful, city, even without the sun shining on it, and at the tale
end of winter. It was still chilly enough to need my winter coat at
points, but still very nice. They are an active city, from what I
saw, and while not as bike friendly as Amsterdam, there were still
rental bike stands in several places, and I think it may be rental
bikes, rather than owning a bike, which is preferred.
Most of the city,
thanks to careful planning, is not what we might consider a tall
city, but it is certainly a sprawling city, as far as I could see
from the Eiffel Tower. I don't recall seeing an end in sight!
Though, of course, there are many suburbs nearby as well, including
Versailles.
There is so much to
see in Paris that you could live there a year and not see half of it.
So much history, so much beauty!
However, it is a
pricey city to visit. When it comes to souvenirs, don't count on
spending less than 5 Euro, unless you want a 2 Euro postcard. The
Louvre, and the illegal and frighteningly persistent souvenir
hawkers, offer decent souvenirs at decent prices, but that's about
it.
The beautiful city
does have it's downsides though. Streets are often narrow, as are
most streets in Europe, and traffic is a beast. Public
transportation seemed decent enough however, and if visiting, you
might be able to get around on that, to be certain. The guide seemed
to think so at least!
The people in Paris
were polite, but very firm in things being in a particular order.
They were not, as a rule, loud, or very friendly, but they were
certainly polite, and understanding. At the tourist locations,
someone who works there will speak rudimentary English, though this
isn't guaranteed at any restaurants, where they likely won't. Or may
pretend not to.
As for shopping in
Paris. Call me when you're rich baby. The prices are exorbitant
anywhere you are likely to find. I'm sure at the 'local' places
prices are decent, but elsewise? Yeah not so much. However you are
certain to find brand name and one of a kind pieces of fashion that
you won't get anywhere else.
The graffiti
though! Bleck! Argh! Yuck! Name, name, name, name, name, name,
names! Everywhere names. Here a name there a name, every where you
look a name! Of non-name graffiti I saw...a fire hydrant, Bart
Simpson, and a series of pictures on utility boxes. The utility box
pictures were the best, the fire hydrant cute and cartoon-y, and Bart
was, in fake a near perfect likeness. Other than that, I saw
stenciled graffiti, and names. Everywhere.
I understand you
can make your name as bubbly as a hyperactive sixth grader who just
discovered the art of bubble letters, and you can add stars, stripes
and what have you, but...
Well.
I suppose it is
artistic, but it's also narcissistic.
One Girl's Byte:
Pickiest Graffiti Connoisseur on Earth: Found Right Here!
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