reminiscing paris

paris is not best enjoyed in the winter. our trip there was the coldest i endured. still, it's paris. it's beautiful all year long, but i can imagine even more so in summer, when the trees are lush and abloom.

i think my favorite spot in that city was inside Sacre Coeur Basilica. It's the only church so far that made my heart cry. it's so solemn, beautiful, and warm inside. warm, especially. it really felt like a sanctuary, not only for the spirit but the body as well. i wanted to stay there all night and await the breaking of a new day, one less colder.

The church sits on the top of the bohemian district of montmartre, and offers an amazing view of the city and that famous Tower. Inside, there's a large painting of the Sacred Heart, with His arms outstretched, on the ceiling. Those ever kindest eyes stare down lovingly at you, offering mercy and comfort. in my humble opinion, it beats michaelangelo's sistine chapel...

We did not experience the storied snootiness of the parisians. people say they refuse to speak english, but they didn't. they patiently explained to us how to go around when we kinda got lost. (but we just had to point the words in the map because we're not sure how to pronounce them; like the station "Invalides" is pronounced "anvalad"; and "George V" "djorj da sank")

we've always encountered unexpected kindness in all our trips, and paris was no exception. in the subway where there was no escalator, an impeccably dressed white male offered to help marvin carry our luggage down the long stairs even without our asking. and to think marvin looks like one of those jihad guys. we were floored.

so don't believe everything you hear about a place. expect the good things, and make your own opinion.

but believe it when they say paris is a beautiful city, because it really is. and much more.