France
September 6th, 2010.
A month in France is not nearly long enough, and frankly its never enough time when traveling. There are so many interesting regions, people, cuisines, ingredients, wine in France that its impossible to experience enough.
I started my journey in France by taking the Eurostar train from London through the chunnel. I have not been too many places where my first impression was EXACTLY as I would have imagined it (idealically speaking).
First off I suggest arriving anywhere by train. You stay central, train stations are always more romantic and interesting than bus or air, and it is just a stylin’ way to go.
When I popped up from the metro in central Paris, looking for my friend Christophe, I couldnt have asked for a more “Parisienne” first feeling.
As I emerged from the stairs it was around eleven o’clock at night. There was a bistro on the corner just infront of me with many outdoor chairs facing out into the sidewalk filled with artist types, writers, lovers, people gently puffing away on cigarettes and slowly sipping wine. The streets and sidewalks were slightly agloo from a little evening rain prior to my arrival, which all the many colored neon signs, streetlights, and moped headlights were taking advantage of being able to dance around.
My eyes gravitated to the red neon glow of a “Bistro” sign, the guy writing in his little notepad who was wearing a beret and a stylish goatee, and the steriotypical bistro waiter wearing a black vest and an apron who quickly said to me “Bonsoir monsieur! Ca va? Quelque chose a boire, Monsieur?”. Then a very tres chic mademoiselle went by on a vespa (Italian I know, but it still fit), and a couple slowly strolled by gently twirling their umbrella.
Needless to say that I was really in a state of awe at how this all fell into place. I know Paris is thought to be the most romantic city in the world and there are a lot of people who have quite dreamy ideals about the place. so truth be told I was quite pleased. But I wish I had taken a photo or perhaps some one was video taping this moment. Oh well, this was a good memory burned into my mind.