I had to go to Paris because I’m going somewhere else… Yes, I needed a Schengen Visa and (they say,) the easiest way to get a multiple-entry visa is via the French embassy. And so the Paris trip happened… To be honest, I never really thought it would be a good idea to be roaming around Paris, which is known to be “The City of Light” or some say “The City of Love”, ALONE… But I had no choice; so I went to Paris all by myself.

This trip to Paris was sort of a come back trip, after my hiatus. For a while, I battled against my wanderlust because (1) I needed to save money for grandeur trips and (2) work has consumed most of my time, that I just wanted to be on comatose during weekends.

I was a little unprepared—I packed my things and read my itinerary a few hours before my flight. I barely slept days before this trip because of my crazy work-related to-do-list. But thankfully I still had the energy to traipse around Paris (with my backpack), for two days (and just catching some sleep while on the train, whenever I could!)

As I am geographically-challenged, I got lost quite a number of times, even before reaching London Luton airport–that’s normal for me though. I hopped on trains, buses, and tram, but most of the time, I walked–unmindful of the midday sun; and due to what seemed to be an endless walk, I needed to buy that I-♥-Paris slippers when my feet couldn’t stand my flats anymore.

I searched for The Louvre, but I found Musee d’Orsay. So I hopped on random buses, presenting my old tickets, and prayed for free rides, until I got to the right musuem. It was exhausting so I grabbed some croissant (because I am in France!) and water after realizing that I haven’t had any meal the entire day!

I stared, in awe and envy, at the works of art that filled the walls and the halls of the Louvre, thinking that I could never do a painting or a sculpture of such class and artistry.

And in that moment, I realized that my dream of becoming an artist would never come true… :)

I decided to head to the hostel after Louvre to check-in, get some nice shower and take a rest before seeing the Eiffel Tower—only to realize upon reaching Arty Paris, that yeah, I am sharing the room wih 3 other strangers! I totally forgot that I booked for a shared room! haha!

So I just did a quick fix and off I went to see Eiffel!

Tadah! The first time that I saw the lighted Eiffel, I felt like crying… Probably because of the thought that no one’s gonna take a photo of me with the tower haha!

I looked for the carousel that Hannah R. had on her photo diary–I wanted the same shot (copycat!), ’twas just superb! :) And so I found the carousel…

…but I had this shot instead! ♥

I spent the rest of the night just roaming around the tower. I stared, losing myself with the lovely lights, and at the same time people-watched in amusement—until I realized that I am Cinderella, and I needed to catch the last train before 12 midnight to get back to the hostel.

I slept (did I say that it was a shared room?) with 2 male strangers, unexpectedly… Scary? Yes, but I was more exhausted than scared; so I slept for 6hours straight undisturbed, (and unharmed.. Thank God!)

And I said hello again to Eiffel the next day (because I wanted a morning shot of the tower) before heading to Montmartre.

The weird me made the Eiffel Tower a wishing tower—and I asked a random stranger to take a photo of me while I whispered my secret little wish… :)

On my way to Montmartre, I stopped at some random train station and found myself in what seemed to be a Chinese community—and so I had Chinese food for lunch. Once again, I struggled with my sign language skills, because most of the people around the area don’t speak English! Ah nosebleed!

And I arrived at Montmartre…

After paying a short visit at the Basilica, I traipsed along one of the streets in Montmartre, stopped, and “gambled”… and in such a short span of time, I gave away some Euros!

I felt my knees weaken as I hurriedly got out of that street (before I’ll lose all my travel funds), and I hopped on the train and went to see Moulin Rouge. And then I saw these:

I was surprised and all, but my heart was just too heavy to be amused at things like that. I really can’t get the thought of losing in a street game off my head! But then on a positive note, I kept convincing myself that such incident is better than being victimized by pickpockets in those crowded touristy streets; at least I had the chance to win (I just blew it!).

Well, Paris caught (the unprepared) me by surprise… But then, overall, Paris is still a good idea. ♥ And I’ll be coming back, with a vengeance! :)

**Thanks to those who helped me during this trip, either in finding the streets listed in my itinerary, to assisting me with the train ticket machines (I could be panicky and stupid at times hahaha!), and of course, taking pictures of me and some famous Paris landmarks! :) Merci, Paris!**

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Date of Trip: August 3-4, 2013
Websites used for this trip’s preparation:
Itinerary:
http://goparis.about.com/od/sightsattractions/ss/Paris_Two_Days_7.htm
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/paris-airport-latin-quarter-33654.html
http://parisbytrain.com/tag/rer-b-schedule/
Accommodation: http://www.booking.com/
Flight booking: http://www.skyscanner.net/