I’m an offbeat tourist. I try not to do as the other tourists do and not to go where the others go. I do not try to show-off or something like that. I just leave many places that are considered to be a must-visit behind. That is all.
For instance, I haven’t been to the Louvre. It’s not a reason for pride and it’s not a cause for regret. I just didn’t want to race through the halls making short stops near three points (Nike, Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa). This museum is worth being admired for a long time, which I didn’t really have. But I do hope to come to Paris again…
Paris is different…I perfectly understand people who liked the city and those who didn’t. Those who fell in love with the city and those who detested it. It’s the same as with the people. And I don’t think that it’s necessary to explain why it happens this way.
Is Paris romantic? Yes, if you are able to feel romantic. Full of rubbish? Not always and everywhere. But if you don’t like the city you will definitely say “yes"…and so on and so forth…
The Defance region is very significant. All the opinions are either very positive or very negative. Some people say it’s “the next Manhatten" and some call it “the city of future". And I…for the first time I…fell in love with Paris…
I’ve never thought that the hymn to the skyscraper urbanism can be so moving…it’s an alive organism, not just heartless steel and glass!
City sightseeing tour…that’s what I never reject. I try to remember places I’d like to look at more closely and then go there without a guide and a crowd of tourists.
My dinner. In fact I’m not a faddish person who eats only in the most fashionable restaurants and is extremely choosy about the place to eat at. Well, may be a little bit. But not when I’m hungry. So I felt pretty comfortable in small and cosy cafes. There was a funny moment about the communication with the waiters. I don’t know French. But strangely enough my pronunciation is good. So when I make an order and read the names of the dishes aloud the waiters do believe in my perfect knowledge of their language. But when I’m asked the easiest question (like “what bread do you prefer?") I get lost. Anyway English comes to rescue me. Although the French don’t like to bother themselves with the studying of English.
The most tasty thing I’ve tried in France is the goose liver pate and a grilled salmon on a spit with herbs. That’s unbelievingly delicious!
And please don’t go to McDonald’s! In fact it’s not the best choice in any country but in this cradle of haute cuisine it is even blasphemous to dine at this place! If you want to eat for the reasonable price go to one of “La Leon" restaurants! I’m not sure whether they are French or Belgian but in fact it doesn’t matter much. The food is very tasty and the price as I’ve said above is quite moderate.
By the way (although why by the way?;-))) I had a problem with the tips. Especially at the hotel. I left 1 EUR every day on a pillow but the chambermaid didn’t take the money. So I left the whole sum when leaving the hotel. I said I’m a kind of an offbeat tourist.
I guess I should tell about the sights I’ve visited. But that’s another story and I’ll tell it next time!