DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE

This is me scheming up more ways to stay.

DeliEffiel

My favorite thing in Paris is the Eiffel Tower (And the cafes, and wine and cheese and Seine and the Latin Quarter, but I’m narrowing down here.)

Many people all over the world are probably uttering that same sentence, but we all have different reasons for liking it. For me it is because of the constant reminder.

I could be deeply lost in tiny roads filled with 500 years of footsteps and conversation, far within the Latin Quarter across the city, when all of a sudden with the slightest bend of the road and the parting of a building, the tip top of the tower comes into view.

Or I could be at the top of Montmartre on the highest point of the glimmering city in crowds clinging to the rough iron fence every couple of feet to see the tower from in between stubborn tree branches. From this angle at the top of the hill, the tower sticks up dramatically from the low city, puncturing the sky. The onlookers gather and wait with bated breath for the top of the hour when the tower starts glittering against the sky. When it starts, a collective gasp and hush fall over the crowd, and the entire city for the five minutes.

Or I could be down in the Champs de Mars with the giant metal structure looming over me. I can sit at the concrete foot, the bottom of the legend, and while avoiding the dozens of street peddlers selling miniature versions of the tower I can look up behind me at the giant tower that I’m leaning against, physically touching it, yet it still looks like a painting.

No matter where I am in the city, the tower seems to show up at the perfect time almost to say, “Hey! You’re in Paris!”

Water Lilies

Yesterday morning, I went to The Musée de l'Orangerie, which is home to some of Monet's famous Water lilies.

It is hidden in a corner of the The Tuileries Garden right along the bank of the Seine. It was a very interesting musuem, somewhat spaceship-like.

It was a wonderful place, however, they were out of english maps and english audio guides so I didn't know where I was or what I was looking at.

After I managed to find my way out of the museum, I wandered up the Champs-Elysses (but not too far up) then back down along the river, stopping to watch painters creating scenes of the Seine.

Day of the Dead

It was a beautiful, sunny summer day in the city of love. As I awoke that morning with the happy sun streaming through my windows, I thought to myself, what can I do that would capture the loveliness of this Parisian day? A walk down the Seine? A stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens? A bistro meal at an outdoor cafe?

...A trip to the Cemetery?

While the French are known for their "Joie de vivre," they certianly take good care of their dead.

I went to the Père-Lachaise cemetary to find the graves of famous icons buiried in the best city to live (and die in).

I had a map, but was able to find the graves easily by looking for the hordes of people, except at lonley Gertruide Stiens grave.

It was interesting to see the graves of famous icons, but it was even more interesting to see how previous passers-by had payed their respects.

Oscar Wilde's grave was covered in red lips and thank-yous, amists and ignored sign to respect the grave and not deface it.

Jim Morrison's grave, behind a barracade and surrounded by tattered tee wearing teens making their pilgramage, was filled with empty beer cans.

In contrast, Gertruide Steins grave was immaculate and plain, and although her partener, Alice Toklas is buired beside her, her name is carved on the back like a hidden afterthought.

The cemetary was also home to many heartbreaking Holocaust memorials, graphically depicting the pain that the Jewish had felt durning the occupation and the war.

Edith Piaf is laid in a nondescript black family grave, surrounded by a bunch of frenchies singing "La Vie en rose"

Finally I visited the famous composer, Fredrick Chopin's grave and thanked him for the soundtrack to my childhood.

It was the most famous people I'd ever seen in a single day...does that count?

Paris Street Food

Paris is a melting pot of old world and new world, and sometimes those lines get blurred together. Take a stroll down the famous Rue Cler to understand.

Rue Cler is a classic Parisian street, known for its abundance of food markets. The smells of fresh foods that waft from the open doors change with each step taken down the cobbled street.

The French have a different way of thinking and buying food. Instead of a mad dash to the nearest superstore to stock up on all of the boxed and shrink wrapped necessities needed for the upcoming week, they shop more often for more specific items. Each store of Rue Cler is a specialty shop full of fresh, gourmet items.

In one block, you'll stumbled upon a store for honey, bread, cheese, chocolates and meats. Each item in the stores was made mere hours before and sometimes you'll be lucky enough to still see steam rising from a fresh baguette.

Along the more populated, but still picturesque, main streets you can find everything you need for a quick lunch. Giant sandwiches consist of entire baguettes cut in half and stuffed with the most fresh vegetables, meats and cheeses. For a few euros, you can eat for days. In the open windows of the famous boulangeries, you can order world famous crepes that are made fresh for you in the paris sun.

They are filled with multiple french sweets, like lemon zest and jams, and their favorite, Nutella. The familiar jar takes on a classier and more delicious air when the contents are spread on a steaming crepe.

A perfect day in Paris can be spent strolling down the ancient streets, soaking up the scents and flavors of the classic city.