I guess everyone will tell you that it’s a bit tough to write about a trip that happened exactly two years and 7 months ago.
Unless it was a very memorable one.
And you have tons of photos to aid your failing memory.
And Paris, La Ville-Lumière (the City of Light), is an experience that you won’t likely ever forget, especially if you experienced her charms under bright blue skies and the warm glow of a summer sun.
I now chuckle at the thought that I found myself in this city known for its elegance and sophistication under not so chic circumstances — I arrived in Paris with a luggage bursting with Lucky Me noodles. And a hand-carried paper bag containing a borrowed electric kettle.
Paris is an expensive city and I sort of figured that penny pinching was the only way to go. Imagine this: a 2-day Paris Museum Pass will set you back around PhP2,000 and the ticket price for a 3-day unlimited Metro Pass can pay a minimum wage earner for about 6 days. For a man of modest means, Paris surely came with a hefty price tag. Jessie J’s Price Tag could very well have been my background music during my stay.
Ain’t about the (ha) Ka-Ching Ka-Ching. Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling. Wanna make the world change, Forget about the Price Tag.
My thoughts about an extremely large hole that Paris was going to leave on my pocket were quickly forgotten though when I finally caught a glimpse of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Truly, what a sight to behold!
But what really elicited the most of my oohs and aahs was the Château de Versailles. “Grand” and “lavish” do not do it justice. One thing is for sure though — it clearly was designed for people to marvel and gawk at.
Château de Versailles has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for 30 years and is considered one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art.
It served as the official seat of power of France until 1789 and was later converted as the Museum of the History of France in the 19th century.
For a moment, I fancied myself as a palace courtier skilled at flattery and intrigue. But then my stomach grumbled. And just like that, I went from being a courtier to a starving commoner.
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This is my entry to the February 2013 Carnival of Europe hosted by Aleah Taboclaon of Solitary Wanderer with the theme “Most Romantic Places in Europe”.
awww. dream city! I am so in love with the photos! 🙂
thank you Riz!
your photos made me remember our own Parisian moments … thanking God for the provisions and saving the precious photos have always been heartfelt passions. would love to go back someday, if granted, bob and i would love to see the countryside, specifically the lavender fields of Provence … we can always dream, can’t we?
your photos are just so beautiful, thank you for sharing your experiences with us 🙂
hi april! i would love to bring my wife to paris someday too! with God’s grace, I know this will happen.
Love the climactic punchline. 🙂 And I love the contrast of noodles in your luggage against the courtly elegance of Versailles and the romance of the Eiffel. Travelers like us have to make the most out of our meager means. I can totally relate. I wish I’d make it to Europe soon too!!!
Thanks AJ! I wish that your Euro Tour will happen very soon! I know I will enjoy reading your stories about it.
My goolais, I’ve never been to Paree. They say the first time one should go should be with one’s other half, hehe, so I skipped it and opted for its karatig-pooks. 🙂
Love the pictures, Jun, especially of the interiors of Versailles. Too grand for words, I’m sure.
That said, Lucky Me FTW! 😀
Thanks Tita Buds! I was required by the French Embassy to return to their offices in Makati after my trip. Akala nila siguro magti-TNT ako dun 😀
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Paris is even lovelier during summer! I regret not being able to go there during my Euro trip. Sigh. Thanks for joining the carnival!
Hi Aleah! Can’t be thankful enough for featuring my blog post. There was a noticeable spike in my blogstats and I know that some of them were your avid readers 😉 I also thoroughly enjoyed going through the posts of the other bloggers featured in the carnival 😀
The Versailles pictures are amazing! Versailles has always intrigued me, ever since I learned about it in school as a teenager. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit it yet though, but I’m sure I will in the future :-).
Versailles is truly grand! You won’t regret making it a part of your itinerary when you get the chance to visit Paris!
P2000 museum entrance? It must be more expensive now. But I think it’s worth it. Will keep that in mind when I finally visit this city.
Hi Claire! The fee covers most of the museums in Paris so I think it’s reasonable enough. But on second thought, sa Louvre palang ay kukulangin ka sa oras 😀
my ultimate dream city! i swear i’ll kiss the ground of paris when i get a chance (and budget) to bring my family and my own feet there!
you fuel my wish, jun! thanks for the inspiration! 😀
And I’m sure you will have wonderful stories to tell and tons of beautiful pictures when you get the chance to visit Paris! Thanks Doc Gelo!