A Good Way to End Our Trip

Pictured: Mrs. Wilson at the Eiffel Tower

Pictured: Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed.

Pictured: Ms. Guiney at Versailles

Pictured: Notre Dame

By Elise Wilson

In many ways our trip seemed to fly by and we did not feel that we had been traveling in Europe for a week and a half when we reached Paris. On the other hand, we were getting tired of packing up, taking a train, getting a new map of an unknown city, figuring out customs, etc. Warsaw seemed like the distant past. But here we were arriving in Paris relieved we would not have to take another train, and relieved that when we packed up our bags on the last day, it would be our last.

Paris is plain and simple a beautiful city. Buildings have these lovely little terraces or Juliette balconies strewn with flowers and plants. We arrived late at night and as we zoomed through the streets in our taxi, we caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower golden in the deep of darkness. The gardens throughout the city are charming with flowers of every variety. Paris wins for the best gardens out of all the cities we visited. I highly recommend walking through the Tuileries and take time to pull up one of their green chairs by a fountain or a perfectly composed flowerbed, and simply be.

Paris was a place on our trip where we took time to slow down and simply enjoy. We still packed in our days, but we found moments in parks or museums to revel in the moment. We were pleased to meet with Ms. Smith who is now a dean at BC High. She was visiting a friend in Paris and we were able to meet at a lovely bistro and relax. The next day we met with Mr. Kiely at the Eiffel Tower who was also exploring parts of Europe with one of his brothers. We exchanged stories and enjoyed some French food at some cafes. Mr. Kiely, his brother, and I all tried beef carpaccio which is thinly sliced raw beef. It was pretty good, though I can't say I would order it again.
Pictured: Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Kiely, and Ms. Guiney.

Out of all the cities we traveled to, Paris is the most diverse in pretty much every way, the people, the religions, clothing, types of shops, food, etc. You will find the mecca of high fashion contrasting with people begging on the streets outside their storefronts. Of course there is French food, but there is also a wealth of food from around the globe. Ms. Guiney and I made sure to go to a landmark bakery, Laudree, and their caramel macaroons are delectably divine. But we also meandered through unique shops in a center for artists along the canal where one can find all sorts of treasures.

Pictured: Duck Confit

We bought a museum pass which made Paris so much more enjoyable since one can wait in a ticket holder's line which is significantly shorter than the regular line. Ms. Guiney and I have learned that we do not do well with long lines. We get antsy and a long line can set a mood that will negatively affect how well we enjoy whatever we were waiting in line for. Crowds are a major issue in Paris. It really makes me think about how empty Warsaw and Krakow seem by comparison. There is almost constant bumping and nudging which leads to irritation and maybe even exasperation. We were dumbfounded by the audacity some people have of cutting the line and refusing to move even when it is pointed out by angered people in queues. The Louvre is a perfect example of how crowds can have a negative impact on one's experience. We spent several hours looking at all sorts of art, and of course we saw the Mona Lisa, but I was left uninspired. The crowds made the experience uncomfortable.


I suggested that we go to the Musee L'Orangerie known for its impressionist paintings. Ms. Guiney had reservations about yet another museum, but we both walked away liking this gem of a museum more than the Louvre and Musee D'Orsay. It is a modest size which helped me as I did not feel overwhelmed, and it focuses on the collection of one man who worked with and sold the art of Picasso, Monet, and Renoir, to name a few. This is a museum worth seeing in Paris and it was my unexpected jewel.

Pictured: L'Orangerie

Pictured: Our favorite painting from L'Orangerie by Amedeo Modigliani


My last surprise was the Arc de Triomphe. We went to the Eiffel Tower where we gazed at its famous design, but we did not go to the top of it. Instead we went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe which was included in our museum pass. One gets stunning views of the city and a spectacular view from up high of the Eiffel Tower.



I am glad we finished our trip in Paris as we were really able to reflect on our trip as a whole. It felt like a wonderful conclusion to a phenomenal experience.