In 2011, after passing 10 days of hard work in Brussels, Belgium, I traveled to Paris. My first time visiting France. My idea was to wonder for 5 days in Paris, then move back to Brussels and finally head back home (St. Louis, Missouri, in that time). I remember everything started a bit out of synch that day for this “neat and control freak” person that I am. First of all let me tell you, I was in Brussels managing/hosting an event for my company, and helping with another event the following day; 10 days of intensive nerve wrecking labor. And I wonder why I dislike so much traveling for work! I have been creating and managing events in Europe (for my company) since 2006. Anyway, after working on those 10 days, the last two managing the two events I was exhausted! I went to bed around 8:00 pm. And, woke up at 10:30 am the next day! For those who known me, I am an early morning person so, waking up after eight in the morning is weird for me. But, I was so tired that I guess my body gave up and I succumbed to Morpheus hands.
Immediately the next day, I noticed that things were back to hectic! I was late for my train.
Thank god I made it fine to Brussels Midi train station. My trip to Paris from Brussels Midi station was ok, relax and smooth. There was really not too much to see during the trip, I guess the route was not that appealing only country side. It was just like traveling from St. Louis to Chicago except for the amount of train stops, and a little faster of course!
Once I arrived to Paris, a Friday afternoon (around 4:00 PM), I was a little shocked at the train station, I think an army of hard workers may have landed simultaneously at the station at the same time I did! The smell around the station was a little too much for me, if you know what I mean. A deodorant kiosk would have thrive in that station that day! I was a shocked! After all, I just landed at the city of lights, perfume, eau de cologne, glamour, and Channel #5 didn’t I. I wouldn’t expect a shocking smell like that just arriving into Paris. My first impression was shocking, a devastating smell of old and exhausted arm pits was a welcoming nuance that I did not expect, until today I can’t forget it! Let’s only hope things will get better, that was my wishful thinking, after all, I was in Paris!
At 4:30 PM, I found myself making a line to buy my first Metro ticket to get a ride in one of the busiest train systems in the world. My final destination, my hotel in Rue Duvivier (Hotel Beaugency). A nice cozy budget hotel recommended by Rick Steves’ Best of Europe book! While purchasing my metro ticket, I have been mentally forcing myself to use the metro, I am not a mass transit person. I was not sure where the strength came to me, but I did it, I bought my ticket to get into one of the busiest train in the world, a Friday afternoon. . I started my way down the stairs to get to the metro stop. At first, I was very apprehensive, the whole experience started to feel unpleasant to me; there were too many people in an out of the station. I have never experienced something like that before, I am not a person to use public transportation at all. I used to live in a city where everybody drive to wherever they need to go. I have not developed this phobia living in Missouri, this has come with me from my beloved Puerto Rico. I used to live in the country side in Puerto Rico and when we needed something we have to jump into a car and drive at least 40 to 60 miles, so no, this is not a Midwest thing.
I went down into the station to take my first train, the amount of people coming in an out of the train cabins was incredible! I was in chock and terrorized. I stated down there watching the carriages coming in and out, packed of people, at least for 20 to 25 minutes. One train after another, and none of them with space for me and my luggage. People were all tided together like sardines in their can, I was completely terrorized! In shock! Holocaust movie views memories came to my mind! How in the world am I going to do this? I told myself several times. Over and over the train came packed of human sardines. I had a rolling luggage, and my personal and work laptops hanging from my shoulders. When I was almost decided to exit that hell, go upstairs and get a taxi, and angel showed up! Yes, I will call this person and angel to use a popular lovely term, not because I am religious, its is just the best world I can use, I still remember this event, I think of this person as an angel. This old man got close to me and told me “you need to push yourself into the wagon otherwise you won’t find an empty train, not at this hour.” This old man has probably being there, staring at me at least for 20 or 25 minutes, weird isn’t it? Not really, it was just waiting for the perfect moment to board the train, and maybe the opportunity for this person to do some good deed.
Sacre Coeur – Montmartre
Nevertheless, the old man helped me to get into the first wagon that looked better to board, and asked me where I was going to, I showed him my hotel street address and he explained me that I have to change trains one more time and the second train will leave me close to my final station (Ecole Militaire Metro Station), my hotel was two block from there. Doing this exercise for a second time to get to my second train was not something I was looking for! The old man took of in one of the stops, I thanked him, and he wished me happy stay in Paris. What a great person!
I was out of that Sardine can on wheels immediately following the next stop! I am out of here! I told myself! I am on vacation and my first 40 minutes in Paris were already too stressed! I got out of the subway system, got a taxi and in 20 more minutes (and 40 bucks!) I was registering myself into my hotel lobby! And, what a coincidence, the taxi guy was from Martinique a small Island in the Caribbean, a “Paisano” like we in Puerto Rico like to call our neighbors! I am originally from Puerto Rico, in case you wonder, and Martinique is way out there at the east cost of Puerto Rico.
Hotel Street; Rue Cler
Once In my hotel, my visit to Paris got more pleasant, I set myself at the room, and explored the neighborhood. What a surprise, the Eiffel Tower was as close as I have read in Rick Steves’ book. I was at a walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, the Ecole Militaire, Hotel National Des Invalides, and little shops and restaurants. I used the Siene River, as Rick’s book recommended, for the use of the river taxi boats to get to any other farther places like the Latin Quarters, the Louvre, Notre Dame, etc… I walked a lot, that is something that you will definitely do in Paris however, walks were beautiful specially if you love architecture. Paris architecture brought the best out of me, the city is monumental. So, in a nutshell, my trip to Paris got a little bit of everything and I loved it!
Challenges and stress comes anytime, are everywhere, and not because you’re on vacation you should not expect them to arrive. After all, it is your vacation time, try to do the best and enjoy your time.
I was amazed by the architecture, the museums, churches, the people (sometimes rude), and the way of life in Paris. I will definitely go back to Paris and I promise to try the metro again however, it will probably be on a Saturday morning when the whole city may be sleeping!
JRCmoreno 