Greetings all,
I'm still in Paris, enjoying all the usual things (which in my case means architecture-- especially churches -- pastries, sightseeing, and eating).
So many have the wrong idea of Paris; they may think of it as a risqué city, full of decadence. Some think of it as the town that features the Eiffel Tower and the grand church of Notre-Dame. Others may view it as a place with a large, confusing airport. I can't judge others' experiences, but for me Paris is a wonderful city, with many delights and people who care about culture and beauty. Amidst this grand metropolis, it all somehow fits together and works well.
Take the Paris Metro (subway) for example. It is heavily used. No matter where you live in Paris you're only a few blocks away from a station. The price is reasonable ($1.50 no matter where you go), and where else can you actually open the door of the subway car before the train has come to a full stop? You have to love that feature. The trains are frequent, so waiting time is minimal.
This town is a haven for the epicurean in all of us. You can't walk on the sidewalk more than 50 yards without running into something that deals with food. In fact, in order to conceal my gluttony, I just eat at different pastry shops on the same day. Yesterday I was at the "Grande Epicerie de Paris" (huge gourmet food store) that just makes you want to move in.
This town also has an interesting Catholic history. With beautiful churches scattered everywhere and a tradition that stems back some 1,700 years, Paris can claim quite a few chapters in any church history book.
So what's not to like?
-Joseph
