Paris, je t'aime

It seems I am still digesting the idea of being in Europe after 8 months of listening to a foreign language around me and seeing castles and old well preserved buildings, however Paris deserves a chapter for itself; actually two episodes.

Paris, la belle, definitely this phrase fits accordingly to the impression that everyone has of this city. French itself as a language, musical beautiful sound that has accompanied my childhood with some classical songs from Mireille Mathieu, Edith Piaf, those singers that French people from my age do not listen to anymore. France was not any destination for me, hearing my dad and brother telling me stories about its cities, getting to read some French comics, having a one-month course or even participating in a French musical contest, were a precedent for increasing my excitement for visiting Paris, Paris!

5 hours are not that bad to travel by car from Bonn in Germany, French language welcomed us in Belgium, our first stop in the road- night time still.

7 am and we had already crossed the border to France, a beautiful shiny day -the two times I have been to Paris, both had a wonderful sun, regardless the cold weather- time to have breakfast, I want to recall my incipient French, I can't , German language messes up with my basic vocabulary. No problem, it is a matter of some hours and I will belong to the francophone world.

There is nothing better than having someone you know in the place you plan to visit. It was time to meet again my Scottish friend who currently lives in Paris with her French mate. Every trip I have done in the past months, including Brazil, has been an encounter with those beloved friends you never thought you could see again. Even better, she will host me in the Jewish arrondisement (neighborhood) called Le Marais, nearby Notre Dame church and the enchanting Siene river. As New York, the jewelry shops in the Jewish neighborhood are found everywhere. I arrive to Joanna's flat, no elevator, one, two, three, four, five, six floors after climbing up a shapeless ladder. A modern Mission Impossible style code allows me to get in to the house, all the buildings here have this system which is a special password to avoid unexpected intruders. As a still life painting her cozy place is old, romantic and just right for a young couple.

Time to catch up, so we go to a cafe nearby. I said I would come to Europe, I did. Joanna is amazed of how life can be so surprising. We walked to meet my friends in St Michel's statue. To reach the place, we stop by Notre Dame church, prominent and Gothic, this is one of the things I like mostly in Europe, the Gothic architecture with its high and pointy towers and obscure inner passages. So far, the most fascinating characters for me are the gargoyles, mythic creatures who are protectors, the legend says they would wake up at night but be turned into stone during the daylight. Their demoniac and expressive faces are only seen through posters and postcards sold by the Siene river, as they are too high to observe from the ground.

Three hours free tour ahead, one of the best choices you may have if you go to Paris. Young university graduated guides host a tour along the main sightseeing spots of the city. This a good outlook if you do no have much time to visit Paris, or you want to see the highlights at a glance. We walk the city passionately, until we reach the entrance of Louvre Museum...I feel like a Dan Brown's novel, the palace is impressive. The glass pyramid brings a contemporary touch to the classic style of the building. Unfortunately I would not be able to see Louvre inside until my second time in Paris.

Time to walk along the famous Champs-Élisée, one of the most important avenues of the world and beautiful path which congregates the most luxury shops from Paris. At the end l'arc du Triumph.

If I had to shortlist my favorite spots in the countries I have visited, Montmartre would be a must. Colorful, bohemian, just French, Amelie's neighborhood, setting for this famous French movie. Montmartre is located in the top of the hill so you need to take a cable car or climbed up some stairs...once there an immaculate white church welcomes the visitor...this time we are not in front of a Gothic building but an absolutely bright place; to complete the visit a choir of French nuns is interpreting some musical pieces inside the temple. Beauty is overwhelming. Tolousse Lautrec was other remarkable character that found his source of inspiration in the women that used to dance in the legendary Moulin Rouge. Fruits of all colors and presentations are a pleasure for eyes, French cheeses are a weakness for the tourist. A carousel add-in a special touch to its streets. The sky turns amazingly red, the city lights blends with the blue from sunset and one of most amazing views rises. Street musicians are a musical background for the view of the city which allow us to contemplate the memorable Eiffel Tower.

Nite time in Paris, we walk around and we try a punk bar. Black coats and singular Frenchies grab their beers. Whilst doing the queue for the bathroom assorted people join me, even a guy with a mouse on his shoulder -"Ratatouille?- an stranger assk to the proud owner. I laugh a little bit for the situation and keep waiting until the queue of men and women is reduced, as we all have to share one toilette :S

Sunday, last day of my first visit. Eiffel tower is our next stop; another milestone in my life, I am finally in front of the emblematic tower. Mr. Eiffel not only left his signature in Europe, he visited Latinamerica as well, and one of his masterpieces is located in the warm city of Iquitos, the heard of the Peruvian rainforest. Thousands of metal pieces were transported directly from France to Iquitos for that purpose. If you zoom in the tower, it looks like a giant roller coaster which replicates in souvenirs, paintings, posters and elsewhere.

The weekend is over and 5 hours by car awaits me. An unforgettable experience that would start over on January and June of 2008 with additional episodes...