Day two: the city of wonders

Paris is the city of wonders. The historical buildings and tourist spots were simply magnificent and breathtaking. Once you have tasted the city and held a conversation with a native without using English, you will start to feel a bit cosmopolitan yourself. Honestly, I only knew how to speak two French words, “bonjour” which means hello and “mecy” which means thank you. Its quite amusing that the moment I use those local words to interact with Paris gentlemen, they suddenly turn into some cheeky and friendly bunch of people.

I still remember that on the second day, when I was on my way towards the metro station to go to city centre to start my wonderful discovery, there was this middle aged gentleman greeted me in French while sun bathing in the early morning sun. Honestly, I didn’t understand a single word he said, but I simply reply “bonjour”. He was so pleased with my response and continued to bombard me with more and more tongue twisting French words. I can only vaguely understand that he is one of the street artists who draws and sells portraits. It amazed me that in this side of city, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, people still live as an artist to survive, still retain the colorful culture and the original artisticity scent of the early artists such as Vincent Van goh.

Notre-Dame looms large over the Isle de la Cité, and is the most enduring symbol of Paris. It wasn’t that big to be truth. If you are expecting something which is as magnificent and as mysterious as what in the Disney cartoon “the hunchback of Notre dame”, you will be in big disappointment. I always thought that the cathedral will at least have the height of the sky scrappers and a big mysterious bell tower. But when I looked from the outside, I simply can’t picture the story of Quasimodo, the fictional hunchback and the Notre dame together. Hence I decided not to pay extra to climb up the 387 step to the top of the towers to see the close-up views of the famous gargoyles, and the great bell that was rung by Quasimodo. Honestly, in my opinion, its not exaggerate to say that Liverpool Anglican cathedral is even bigger that that.

See what I mean?

But what really attracted my attention was the fact that the cathedral can be considered one of the of the world’s Gothic masterpieces, simply look at the sculptures on the wall, which consists of thousands of sculptures like gargoyles and the ‘be-headed’ angel. i felt shivers run through my spine with only a look at those statue, its like they are whispering some mysterious stories that I never knew.

After that, I continue my journey to the Pantheon, Apostle chapel which stores the statue of Jesus’s 12 disciples, Musee de Lourve which display many famous Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Asian antiquities, painting, drawings and sculpture. Please don’t even attempt to see it all in one day, cuz its impossible. The most famous one is none other than Da Vinci’s enigmatic Mona Lisa. One interesting fact about the paint is that it is protected by bullet proof glass within its own room and taking photos is strictly prohibited. It surprises me that the museum actually was designed by a Chinese architecture who borrowed the concept of the pyramid as it was clearly seen from the picture that the top of museum is in glass made pyramid shape, while the museum itself was underneath the main entrance of the pyramid.

Like Edinburgh, Paris is divided to half by a big river, called river Seine. There is cruise service along the river during daytime and night, which cost around 10 euro per trip. It wasn’t a pleasant experience if you are expecting something romantic and sensual. First of all, it is impossible to look cool and posh at the same time when you try to resist the great momentum of the wind threatens to blow you off the boat. Hence I prefer a slow walk along the river bank while have a great view on some Paris gentlemen walking in nice suit and some tourist leisurely taking photos. Walking along the river and you can see all the big attraction of the Paris, for example De Concorde, Eiffel tower, Triumph de arc etc.

Eiffel tower is just a normal Telecom-like tower at the daytime, if you know what I mean. But at night, it turns into such a magnificent view. The light at the top of the tower shone straightly to the sky, it feels like a tunnel which connects to heaven. The whole tower dances in the glimmering lights in the dark. It surprises me that the tower itself wasn’t that popular in its olf time. According to the history, it was built as a temporary structure to commenmorate the centenary of the French Revolution and was considered an eyesore by many. There were petition to have it pulled down and was only saved for it had become an important for telegraphy.

The tower is consists of 3 levels, whereby each level has their own restaurant and some souvenier shop. The highest of its 3 levels offers a wonderful panoramic view over Paris. As the height of the tower increase, the boarding fees also increases. The long queue of people waiting to go up the tower has made me given up the idea of enjoying the night view of the Paris city up from the high. However, according to other tourist, they said that the night view from Sacre coer was even more beautiful than from Eiffel tower.

Well this lead to my final day in paris, the unforgettable memory of the night at Sacre Coer.

One little glimpse of Paris

The outsider on the inside, that’s my feeling when I first set my feet on the RER train which took me from Paris Charles de Gauls airport to Gare du Node train station. On this side of the earth, people speak in different tongue; wear trendy clothes and perfect makeup even in the oldest and modest train which I ever ride before. I looked at myself, a thick un stylish children size (yes, I always buy children size clothes in England) coat with a pair of faded jeans with a lot of holes on it. I looked more hippies than I ever thought before when I standing beside those high heels, perfume smell, metropolitan Paris ladies. I guess there is nothing more humbling than living in a foreign culture because you will become the alien on the inside.

To be truth, traveling is no difference than a case study of human beings, how they habitating a common place initially but slowly adapting to develop a culture of their own. Traveling really makes me aware the fact that the world is small but how diverse it is as well. I guess the secret of the idiots guide to traveling is to always keep an open mind and learn from each encounter with every person.

Knowing how to read a map is the most important survival skill of a traveler. It was nearly 11pm when I reached Gare du Node station, it took me a while to know which direction that I should took to go to the hotel which I booked online before hand. The roads looked all the same and it’s definitely not as simple as what is drawn on the map. After 10 minutes walk, I have finally reached the Le Regent Monmartre two star hotel. At the price of 39 euro pernight, it was quite a small and decent room to be truth. Not so spacious, but it has a wonderful view from the small balcony. I can even see the famous Sacre Coer glowing in the dark.

Not wasting any precious time, I quickly unpack my stuff and heading to Moulin Rouge which was only 10-15 mins walk away from the hotel. Moulin Rouge is the most famous Cabaret in the world since 1889, thanks to its French Can can Dance. I am deadly excited about the place partly because I had watched the movie about the tragic and glamorous life of the can can dancer starring by none other than Nicole kidman and Ewan MacGregor for 5 times. I’m aware that the concept is still the same at Moulin rouge compared to 100 years ago as I looked at the massively big size posters pasted outside the theatre. The feathers, rhinestones and sequines, fabulous settings, original music and of course beautiful girls; but disappointingly, the price was exceptionally expensive as well. The French Cancan show plus a dinner cost around 140 pounds.

I took some pictures and walked leisurely around the area, that whole street was full of adult shops and amusement theatres, I think this is the red light area for Paris. Honestly, it was quite a cultural shock to me, feels like I’m in the Old Testament’s city of Sodomah or Ghemorah. I guess for them sex is just part of the culture.

That night, while I’m lying on the bed, thinking that I am actually in THE Paris. The whole realization just made my whole chest throbbing with excitement, even my eyelids refused to close up, hoping that the night will not end too soon. Around 2 am, my body had finally surrendered, i sighed with satisfaction before wandered into the dream land knowing that there will be another good day waiting for me tomorrow.

Good bye UK

30th December 2006. 8:35 pm.
Thats the exact time when i first set my feet on a middle east deserted place called Doha. i knew nothing about this city except the fact that it is transiting me back to my home, Malaysia.

yes, i am coming back home. after one and a half year of wandering in the foreign lands, finally i am coming back home.

As i sat on the comfy seat on the airbus, suddenly i just have that de ja vu kind of feeling. Everything just felt so familiar, the anticipation, the eagerness of getting to the destination, its almost felt like i was in that same seat of MAS airbus when i first fly to UK. How fast the time passes, and yet how many things that happens in just 365+1/2(365) days. if i am closing my eyes now, i can still hear the sounds of the pipe organ of the graduation ceremony a few months ago, i can still smell the rich aroma of the pine trees in the summer, i can still felt the chill when the first snow flakes kissing my nose..... This is life, pieces of my life that makes the person i am now.

Am i the same little girl before i fly alone to the other side of the globe? external appearance maybe, but inside, there is something that is changing. something that made me not the same person as i used to be. The perception towards life, the feelings i have towards some people whom i thought initially were just some pass-byers in my life journey, the picture of my dreams which was so vague a year ago.... and that something was even blossoming in my heart now, at this moment, as i typing it down into words.

a part of me mourned that this part of life in UK is reaching the end now. but another part of me rejoicing cuz i had gained so much and i am prepared to start a new chapter in my life now, and this time the difference is i have my love ones standing right beside me as i continue to walk down this road.

'you will never walk alone'. thats what Liverpool whispered softly in my ears as i am taking the first step walking out of the end.