Doing Paris Skinny: Revisiting the City of Lights

So after writing two papers, showing my best friend around Dublin, and giving my hand a permanent cramp with two essay finals in two days, naturally the next step was to fly around Europe for ten days. First stop: Paris, to revisit the city that sparked the travel bug in me four years ago.

Everything was just as I remembered; even the grey days were filled with promise, all of the people seemed so chic, so busy, so important, and all of the buildings were gorgeous. The city even smelled the same.

Revisiting Sainte-Chapelle brought the same lump in my throat, that same gape-worthy awe that people could produce something so beautiful that has lasted for such a long time.

Standing at the top of the hill of Montmartre, at the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, was as breathtaking the second time as it was the first. Overlooking the entire city, the day once again was filled with promise, the hope that something once-in-a-lifetime would happen that day.

It was refreshing to travel the city with someone who had never seen Paris before. I could show her all of my favorite places, but still spend time lingering, taking pictures, taking it all in one more time. I spent over two hours in the Louvre with absolutely no regrets.

This time was also different because I was so much lighter. Everything was easier; the flights and flights of stairs, walking down the Seine, standing in queue after queue. At one point, as we were walking down the Champs-Elysses, we passed a stretch of road that I remember vividly travelling along four years ago. I remembered how tired I felt walking that short distance back then, thinking that I would never make it through that vacation alive. And then, four years later, even with 20 pounds (everything I owned) strapped to my back, the walk was infinitely easier.

I may be bragging or beating a dead horse, but I'm damn proud of how far I've come. Revisiting Paris reaffirmed what I've worked so hard for. Assured me that it's all been worth it.