"Paris, the city of love...the ..." a Paris Travel Page by shutterlust

(note: this was my February 2005 trip)
I was so excited for my trip to Paris. I had everything planned out from guidebooks, phrase books, metro maps, black skirts, and all the cuisine translations for different types of baguette sandwiches! I had heard so many of my friends coming home (studying in London) saying that they had absolutely loved Paris and I was excited about the idea of loving Paris as well.

Now, I explore a lot on my own. I explore my own home city alone (NYC) as well as my current home (London). I do my best exploring on my own, so I wasn't bothered by the fact that I would be doing the same in Paris. I was prepared. But I was terribly, terribly, TERRIBLY wrong.

My first night (as well as the rest of my trip) will be forever scarred. I had decided to check out Tour Eiffel my first evening in Paris, b/c it's the typical touristy must-do/see. I didn't even get close. Taking pictures from way down Champs de Mar (by Ecole Militaire) I was stopped by a guy who asked if I was an American.

Now, I pride myself on my NY street smarts. Yet I was also a cheerleader, so I pride myself on my friendliness (and this is what later almost got me killed!). I said yes, and continued to take pictures. The guy wouldn't leave and instead told me "I feel so romantic under Tour Eiffel...isn't she magnifique?" I laughed (b/c I'm not a romantic at all and it sounded absurd!) and he kinda laughed sheepishly along. But then he kept asking questions like, where am I from in America, who am I with. I was thoroughly skeeved out so I said I was with my parents and that I had to meet them for dinner so I had to go.

He said, ooh, in Paris, we're much nicer about our good-byes. He then proceeded to hug me, then kiss my cheeks, then try to kiss my mouth, all the while his hands doing their own exploring. I screamed for help (this guy was strong...even for me) and all the police did was to tell him to leave me alone! I would have put this sad event behind me...but it happened at the very LEAST 8 times! They would try talking, and then getting closer and before you know it, their mouths and hands are closing in on you. This happened at Montmarte SEVERAL times (I kept going back b/c I never got a chance to take my pictures!) and at Arc de Triomph, Notre Dame, the Louvre, near Samaritaine, along the Seine near Champs Elysses and elsewhere.

I was crying on the phone with my mother by the end of the trip. I didn't get any good pictures (which is my favorite hobby of all time), I had avoided Parisienne cafes b/c I was deathly afraid of who might try to talk to me next. And it got to the point where I tried to look as grungy and as distastefully "American" as possible. I am not a loud and obnoxious person at all.

I hate loud and obnoxious people. But near the end of my trip, I tried to become one so I might be considered "distasteful" and no one would talk to me.I think my opinion of men has been severely scarred by this experience. I came home to London and on my way to my flat, a guy said "hello" and I snapped at him "laissez moi tranquille!". (I, of course, stopped and said sorry.)

I'm so sad about my trip to Paris and thinking about it makes me cry (b/c I didn't love Paris) and shiver with fear remembering all those terrible experiences. I still desperately want to go back to Paris (likely with a very strong, very intimidating looking person) so maybe next time, I'll actually get to see Tour Eiffel properly. Till then...au revoir paris!