It is true what they say. Paris is indeed beautiful. You find yourself constantly stopping to admire things and if possible, preserving the memory with a photograph for later. Even though it's raining and due to rain all week, this gorgeous city is still a sight to see.
It's my first time in Paris and I must admit I was slightly worried coming here. Given all the mixed reviews I've heard, I was unsure how I would find it. People seem to either love it or hate it. At this moment, I am liking it but we'll see what I have to say by the end of the week.
Just like New York, Paris is a city you often see on TV and read about so much that you dream about it. It makes actually being here feel a little surreal. One of the silent highlights of my day was passing the exact Dior shop that Carrie had an embarrassing fall entering in Sex and the City.
For this visit, I turned to AirBnB again and rented an apartment in the bohemian arrondissement of Montmartre. With the beautiful Sacre-Couer standing tall behind us and the village feel of this neighbourhood, it's an ideal place to come home to.
Taking public transport is very convenient in Paris, with lots of options that are easy to navigate around. Using it today makes me wonder why people are still paying for overpriced tourist buses. It's not difficult discovering the city on your own for cheap especially if you're used to walking. Unfortunately, my parents are not akin to travelling on foot. Even with the aid of an efficient public transport system, they still wanted to use a taxi! However, I'm glad they were willing enough to try what they call the backpacker style of travelling - walking as much as you can and taking in much more than you can on a vehicle.
Travelling with my parents has confirmed my traveller classification as backpacker. When I planned this trip, I never envisioned myself as becoming one. I couldn't understand it before stepping into the role! But growing on this trip with my trusty backpack, has me liking this style of travelling more - exploring places on foot, meeting new friends in hostels, finding cheap but good authentic eats, living off only the essentials and carrying a backpack as opposed to a suitcase. This doesn't mean that I'd forgo life's luxuries, I just appreciate them much more. It's a discovery and change I didn't see coming but feel absolutely blessed to have experienced!
