My Second Stop: Paris Beyond the Eiffel Tower

Copy of Add a heading by emma ugarelli

​I left London feeling tired but very happy. To get to St Pancras International and take the Eurostar train to Paris, I did not want to risk it again with an Uber driver, so I decided to take a traditional London taxi from my hotel.
During the ride, I started a conversation with the cab driver. He was a true Londoner, impeccably dressed, and very proud of his profession. It felt like a special moment because I had the opportunity to talk with him about the city, how it has changed over the years, and his experience as a taxi driver. He told me that he had been doing this job for more than twenty years and that he had studied extensively to become a traditional London taxi driver. That was fascinating to me and made me appreciate the dedication and knowledge behind this profession.
Another curious thing that would happen throughout my trip was the weather. Even when the forecast predicted rain, I was almost always lucky and stayed dry. I was prepared, though. In London, I bought an umbrella, which I unfortunately lost in Paris, and I also carried a raincoat that never even came out of the package. I was ready for anything!
The funny thing was that the rain seemed to have perfect timing. It usually started when I was inside a restaurant or back at the hotel, and the moment I stepped outside, it magically stopped. This happened in London and again in Paris. I wondered if this good fortune would continue throughout the rest of my journey.
It was my last experience in London before turning the page to a new adventure. Paris, I was ready for you!
At the train station, I met two lovely women from England who were traveling to Paris for the weekend. We had a wonderful conversation during the trip. When I arrived at Paris Gare du Nord around midday, I easily found a taxi at the station entrance and went to my hotel.
The hotel was close to many of the main attractions, only one block from the Seine River. Like my hotel in London, it did not have an elevator, but this time I was only on the second floor. It was a simple place, clean and comfortable, without many amenities, but it was perfect for what I needed.
I left my backpack at the hotel and immediately started exploring. I walked through Le Marais, visited Place des Vosges, discovered the Marché des Enfants Rouges, and enjoyed a beautiful walk along the Seine River.
For lunch, I tried traditional French food at a local restaurant. It was delicious, and as usual during my European journey, I enjoyed the local beer. On my first day, I also came across a protest by Droit Au Logement, which reminded me that social movements are part of everyday life in European cities.
The next day, I walked to the Louvre Museum. I was amazed by the beauty of the paintings and sculptures created by some of the most renowned artists in history. I spent three hours there, and even that did not feel like enough time.
Afterward, I took the hop-on hop-off bus and visited some of Paris’s most iconic places: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées, and Place de la Concorde. At night, I enjoyed a cruise on the Seine near the Eiffel Tower. Later, I had dinner at Alma Marceau and walked back to my hotel.
On my way, I stopped at a café for a coffee because I had been walking and walking nonstop, and my sneakers were almost ready to protest and ask me for a break. Something funny I noticed throughout Europe was how pigeons seemed to be part of restaurant life. One of them even sat with me in the empty chair next to mine, just like another time during my trip.
On my third day, I met my Italian friend at a restaurant, and together we visited Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame Cathedral. The beauty of the architecture, paintings, and sculptures was incredible. There was something very special about the atmosphere and history of these places.
After that, we took the Metro and went to the Tuileries Garden. It was such a beautiful and relaxing place to sit and enjoy the surroundings. However, I almost lost my phone there, which was a lesson for me. The next day, I bought a strap for my phone to keep it safer. Another thing I noticed throughout Europe was the popularity of motor taxis, something that is not very common in North America.
We continued our day visiting Place de la Concorde and then went up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where we had a breathtaking view of all of Paris. At Square Louise Michel, we admired more art and enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere of Place du Tertre.
There, we ate at a traditional restaurant and enjoyed French wine. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. No wonder French cuisine is considered one of the greatest in the world, together with Peruvian cuisine, which I proudly consider one of the best as well.
Later, we took the Metro back to the hotel. Paris has such an extensive subway system that I became a little lost and could not find the correct exit. I had to ask several people for help. Even though many people mainly spoke French, they tried their best to guide me, and I was very grateful. Before my trip, I had heard that people in France were not always helpful to tourists, but my experience was completely different.
The next morning, I woke up early, left the hotel, and headed to the airport for my flight to Lisbon.
I will miss Paris. I loved the food, the walks along the Seine, the art, the architecture, and the culture. Paris was not just a destination; it was an experience that I will always remember.