What to do and not to do in Paris

I spent Paris only two days altogether, yet I can tick it off on the map of Europe. Initially, I gave up al hopes that I will get there, because it was in the middle of February and Slovakia was tormented by heavy snowing. I feared the weather conditions at the airports and also whether my train to Bratislava would be on time. At the station I noticed an announcement that certain train from Zvolen had 90 minutes delay. Luckily, it wasn’t mine and I arrived to Bratislava only 20 minutes over the scheduled arrival. I met the other participants of the journey in Avion shopping centre from where we took a bus to the airport.

1 Never bargain with the street vendors

      In Paris we were surprised by comparatively warm weather. No signs of snow and although it was around midnight, the temperature was bearable. Next day I even saw people jogging in the streets wearing shorts and thin jackets. The big cities must have something that warms the climate, maybe the warmth emitted by the buildings. We decided to walk from the Porte Maillot station to our hostel. At the Eiffel Tower we were approached by black men selling souvenirs. I asked one how much was a model of the tower. But it was a big mistake. He was bothering me for about 10 minutes, scaling down the price from 10 to 4 Euros. Finally, I bought two key rings; at least I have some presents. Never start bargaining with these vendors, because you won´t get rid of them.

2 Use the Eiffel Tower as an orientation point

          Our hostel was set up in a Spanish style and in the evening it could have been really lovely, if it was not for the cold. Fiesta, sangria and so on. Now, we were given a croissant and tea for breakfast and could hit the city. We could not visit all the important sights in just two days; however we managed to see much of them. Mainly on the first day. We started at the Eiffel Tower; it was over a corner from our hostel. Actually, it showed us the path the night before, because it gives out luminous light like a lighthouse. The view form the Eiffel Tower is really beautiful, when the sky is clear one can see the whole Paris. At least, we could catch a glace of the sights that were too far to visit.

3 Ask for discounts, it pays off

      From the tower we headed for the metro station. We bought a whole day travel card, which was up about 7 Euros. The metro in Paris operates 14 lines which really speeds up the transport. In a tour guide we learned that one should ask for discounts, refer to student cards and so on. We tried and it actually worked. Similarly, we got discount in the Catacombs. In Louvre we were for free. Next stop was the Notre Dame. Originally gothic church, but as the work progressed, the characteristic of later architectonic styles are palpable on its arcades and decorations. We checked the church from all sides, withstood the temptation to star shopping for souvenirs and across a bridge walked to the other bank of Seine. The bridge was full of lockers. I do not now the exact purpose, but most probably they being attached by young couples to cement their love. Overall, Paris has quite romantic atmosphere, and not only because it was two days after the Valentine’s Day.

4 Do not try to speak English with the French

We walked around the Sorbonne University and got on the metro to get to the catacombs. We spent few moments looking for the entrance into the souterrain, where we claimed our first discount. Actually, the second if I count travel cards. Initially, we could see only stones and old pillars in the catacombs, later skulls, and finally decorated burials. Nice but not necessary experience.

     Next, we wanted to visit Louvre and therefore were looking for a short cut. I asked some local residents about he way. French are very peculiar about their language, do not fancy learning English. I have known few and most of them had problems to understand more complicated clauses. Thence I decided to address them in Spanish and it worked. Maybe because of the fact that it is also a Romanic language, but few minutes later we were at Louvre.

5 Do not miss the enormous painting just opposite to Mona Lisa

      I did not expect that Louvre was such an enormous building. The entrance through the pyramid is well known from the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. We managed to bargain the entrance fee from 10 Euros to..... free.

      Two hours to the closing time, we could hardly cover the most important pictures. I do not understand the huge crowds in front of Mona Lisa. It is just a small picture, 90 x 60 centimetres. I preferred the painting on a wall just opposite to the smiling lady. Big canvas by Veronese, about 6 x 9 metres, depicting the Wedding in Cane. Moreover, there were hardly any visitors so you can study it in graphic detail.

6 Do not travel to Paris by own car

      In the evening we enjoyed a walk around the Champ’s Elise, to take some pictures with the Arch of Triumphs. It is surrounded by six-lane roundabout. If it is not closed because of the final etape of the Tour de France, the cars would circulate there at any day time. It was fascinating to watch all the drivers how do they behave. No one understood the right of way but them. All of a sudden a huge surge of cars would stop and let the cars coming from the opposite direction go. A foreigner would crash his car definitely.

7 Nice town, but beware of prices

     Next day I took part in shopping at the Champ’s Elise. It is one of the main avenues. Paris is the city of fashion (although I am not sure whether it was not taken over by Milan), lest the nosey street vendors, it bears up to the French elegance. It was nice and clean - at least the centre where we were staying. In contrast with London, there weren’t so many immigrants and their small businesses. Maybe it is the effect of the French immigration politics, or the time shortage.

    The buildings are elegant, mostly classical or neo-classical style. Prices were comparatively higher than in the British metropolis, and significantly higher than in Slovakia. Mainly those of the services and food. On the other hand, most of the restaurants meet the highest standards, even if it was just a bageteria. You would not see many fast foods there.

8 Recommend your country to the foreigners

      Towards the end of our trip, we visited the La Defence. It is a business quarter, dominated by some kind of concrete cube. Actually, it is not cube, but a block with a hole inside. I do not know what does it symbolize, but I could see branches of many world-known companies. That was all of Paris.

      On a plane, I was joined by a young French on the next seat. He was travelling with his friends to Bratislava, for a trip. Nice, me and my friends were just leaving Paris. We gave them some advice what to do and what not do. Pleasing, if someone asks about your country, even if he is interested mainly in hostels and bars. Two hour later, we returned to the cold Bratislava.