Traveling
May 05, 2016 – May 11, 2016
🇫🇷: Paris, Versailles
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane to my very first time overseas, back in 2016. Apologies in advance for the photo quality. I was young, and my photography skills were…lacking. I think I used a Galaxy S6 Edge to take all these photos, so the quality is of that era. Still, even with all the time that’s gone by, that trip left a lasting mark on me. It’s one I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Sometime in 2015, my uncle mentioned he was thinking about going to Paris but didn’t want to go alone. I was about four years out of college and craving something meaningful to shake up the monotony of office life. So, I asked if he’d mind if I tagged along and he enthusiastically agreed. Up to that point, my only international experiences were Toronto in 2014 and a couple childhood trips to the Yucatán with family. Paris would be the natural evolution of my travel destinations, and for a history buff like me, it was too good to pass up.
We flew Finnair, with a short layover at Heathrow. I don’t remember much about it, just that I was exhausted and fell asleep on a bench there. It was my first real encounter with jet lag. Funny enough, I now pride myself on being able to adapt quickly to time zones, to where I barely get it anymore. We landed in Paris soon after, and even from the back seat of a taxi, I was completely awestruck. Seeing the iconic Eiffel Tower peeking through the trees for the first time is something I’ll never forget. That first glimpse felt surreal, like a scene from a movie I’d somehow wandered into. I was now in Paris!
Our Airbnb was on Rue Saint-André des Arts in the 6th arrondissement. It’s tucked into the Left Bank, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Odéon. Just steps from Place Saint-Michel, close to Notre-Dame, and surrounded by charming cafés, bookstores, and old art cinemas. It was a picture-perfect intro to Paris. It was a quiet part of town and conveniently located. Hats off to my uncle on the excellent choice.
Since it was my first time in Europe, I couldn’t help but compare everything to the U.S. Around every corner was something older than the U.S. Sculptures, buildings, alleyways…everything was dripping with history. We kept the first day easy, just walking around and soaking it all in: Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Les Invalides, Pont Neuf, and a bunch of other spots that looked familiar.
I bought a Renault keychain from a souvenir shop simply because we don’t have them in the States anymore, so it felt like an exclusive novelty. Same with the Fanta, which is SIGNIFICANTLY better in Europe. It actually tastes like oranges instead of aggressively sweet battery acid. I probably drank more Fanta on this trip than I have in the last twenty years combined. We wrapped up with dinner at Le Procope. I got steak frites because I’m basic and it sounded safe after a full day of walking and jet lag.
Our first major stop was the Musée d’Orsay, which joined the ranks of my favorite museums. Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station built around 1900, the architecture itself is a work of art. It’s best known for its world-class collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. At the time, they had a Van Gogh exhibit on display. Seeing his original works with my own eyes felt special. Up to that point, I’ve only seen his pieces in books or online. That night, we ended the day with a boat ride along the Seine. Just as the boat pulled up beside the Eiffel Tower, it began to sparkle and strobe. Absolutely magical. It was at that moment that I understood why Paris and romance go hand-in-hand.
The next day, we climbed the Eiffel Tower. The top observation deck was closed, but the view from the second level was still absolutely worth it. Later that day, we passed the Flame of Liberty, the unofficial memorial for Princess Diana. It was touching to see people still leaving flowers and notes all these years later. I’m no fan of the monarchy, but I cant deny her impact was clearly global. We also visited Napoleon’s tomb at Musée de l’Armée. Standing in front of Napoleon’s massive sarcophagus (which I think looks like chocolate), was an important moment for a history buff like me. Just a few feet ahead of me laid one of the most fascinating and complicated figures in European history.
The following day, we visited the Arc de Triomphe, which was decorated with a giant French flag for VE Day. I think we just missed the parade down the Champs-Élysées, but that was ok. I was just happy to be there. Standing beneath the massive French flag hanging form the arch, looking at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a profound moment or me. I felt a rush of gratitude for the countless men and women who stood up to Nazi Germany and changed the course of history, especially those who never came home.
Another highlight was our visit to the Louvre. Now its time for the obligatory Mona Lisa post. Yes, I saw the Mona Lisa. Yes, it was smaller than I expected. Yes, it was crowded. Yes, it is still worth seeing it in person. Apart from that, I found the museum itself quite overwhelming. I loved seeing the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and so many others. Everywhere you looked was a painting or a sculpture that I have only learned about in school . We followed that up with a deeper visit to Notre-Dame, and even sat through a partial mass. I am not a religious person myself, but I respect and enjoyed the spiritual aspect of the visit. A short walk away was Sainte-Chapelle, a royal chapel known for its gothic style. The stained glass alone was worth the trip and in itself was a work of art.
That night, we went to the Moulin Rouge for a show. Yes, it’s touristy. But it was lively, fun, and totally worth experiencing at least once…even if seeing a burlesque show with your uncle was a bit odd. I still appreciated the art, choreography, and costume design.
We rounded out the trip with a visit to the Palace of Versailles. I was floored by the scale and decadence of it all. The chandeliers, the hallways, the obscene usage of gold. The gardens stretched on forever, like the wealth was too vast to contain indoors. It’s beautiful, but walking through it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this kind of opulence comes at a cost. History shows who paid it. The names are different, but the story feels oh so familiar.
Looking back, I’m really grateful I got to share that experience with my uncle. It gave us time to explore, talk, and bond together. That trip sparked my love for travel.
Paris was the first. Clearly, it wasn’t the last.
