Parisian Delights

As the train rolled from Bordeaux to Paris, I wondered how the city of lights would be. Would I see many earthly and carnal delights walking the streets? Or perhaps riots would be flaring all around. Whatever the case, I arrived to see a friend of 6 years, the same amount of years that we had not met up for either.

I guess it is appropriate now to talk of the loneliness of traversing the European continent alone. The people I met were usually nice, and there was no shortage of companionship. But for some reason, meeting compatriots made the trip even more lonely. Communication was one point that I had brought up earlier, but when you can communicate but not appreciate the thoughts being shared, then there really is no sense in trying.

Many backpackers came in search of parties, boozing, and meeting up with other backpackers. I really didn't understand this as I would have stayed right in the US if I wanted to talk to another American. Not to say that all backpackers came from the same place, but if we are all travelling to see and experience Europe, then joining each other as companions sometimes felt detracting from any goal in experiencing. Or maybe it was my goal of relaxation in Europe rather than jumping from tourist spot to tourist spot. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to party and did so, but the drove fashioned pub crawl to meet other foreigners didn't work out for me quite well.

In Paris, I had a local guide, and also it was a place I had been to in the past. All the great sights I had seen before, and this time was to fill in the gaps and add to my degustation. Sacre Coeur was a pretty grand sight, but it's view of Paris was probably my favorite part. There, I sat among friends and had an interesting drink dubbed the 'Monaco.' Part beer, part grenadine, part lemonade, the concoction tasted of grenadine with a slight lemon tartness, finishing with a brief hoppy flourish at the end. Sweet and red, it was a little bit much, but maybe you should try one for yourself and see.

Who would have known that Paris has such great Vietnamese and Cambodian food? Vietnamese crepes, fried rice with beef, and glutinous rice balls roasted to crispy and tender perfection. I won't go into detail, but the flavors delight my tum for a long while. And this is but one meal, Croques-Madames (I cross-dressed), crepes filled with ham, cheese, mushroom, tomatoes, and onions, spring rolls, roast pork, fried beef, and sugar cane shrimp were all part of the smorgasbord. Needless to say that I think I will be back to try some more of these tasty morsels in the future.

I also had the honor of barring and clubbing in Paris. The exclusivity of clubs here are awesome. Gotta have the nice shoes, no t-shirts, and no blue jeans. Of course, when we showed up there, many had those things on, and it really wasn't that spiffed as thought. At least I can say that I've been into a club in Paris, where the scene changes faster than you can blink.

I am indebted to my friend there, and hopefully wasn't too much of a burden. Though I think my untouristy ways confounded them at first, it was all for the greater good of relaxation and taking it easy. I am now, however, a little sick from smoke and fatigue, so relaxing obviously didn't go far enough. Next stop, London.