I was prepared not to like you Paris.
I had heard stories of the French being aloof and arrogant with tourists when they couldn’t speak the language so I started my daily DuoLingo lessons back in July hoping that I could maybe order from a menu by October.
I had read multiple warnings of pickpockets in busy tourist locations and train stations and travel advisories from the State Department about heightened anti-American sentiment that made me feel paranoid.
But that wasn’t my experience at all.
In spite of my terrible accent and ear for the language, I found Parisians to be kind and patient when they communicated with me. Conversations began with “Bonjour, hello. Parle-vous Anglais?” Which then led to each of us using bits of English and French or Google Translate to figure out what I wanted.
I managed to figure out how to schedule and get a much-needed haircut. Marla and I figured out how to navigate public transport to take the metro to the Louvre, the regional train to Versailles, and how to get the correct seat reservations through an agent who spoke very little English on a train to Normandy.
We have had amazing food: chicken, duck, beef, omelets, soups, salads, baguettes, Camembert, and mind-blowing desserts. We have had great wine usually for about one-third to half the cost of what we would pay at a restaurant in Denver.
We visited the Eiffel Tower, marveled at the masterworks at the Louvre, admired the Tuileries Gardens, strolled the Champs Elysees, and were overwhelmed with the opulence at Versailles. We felt safe both on public transport, walking around the Rue Cler neighborhood and in the actual tourist destinations.
I wouldn’t say that I’m in love with Paris, but I would definitely say that we can be friends.
Leave a Reply