Paris - Faults, Overpriced coffee
and Love Written and Photographed by Mauricio Osegueda
Ah, Paris, the City of Light and the capital of Amour... this
is exactly what the French have been propagating for decades.
Is it true? Would you find true love? Face the epiphany of your
existence by strolling through its streets while writing in your
silly journal and sipping an overpriced €4.70 cup of coffee?
In one word- 'No.' In three words- 'Yes and No.'
The city is by any
world standard a true cosmopolitan metropolis. Trees and
parks abound. Beautiful neo-classical edifices along architecture
from different centuries are literally on every corner.
The city hosts some of the world's most famous art galleries
and museums, where a Latin-based language which sounds more
like a poem than it has a right to when spoken does add
to the charm of the region. It would be almost impossible
to find fault. However I am confident in my talents, so
let's begin.
An ancient settlement with archaeological signs going back
as far 4200BC reveals the inhabitants of the area had some
serious head start in which to perfect their now famous
baguettes and croissants. But hey, this is why the world
is not a fair place.
Paris, whose original Roman name was Lutetia, began to be known
by its Gaulish name of Parisii after six centuries of Roman occupation.
Hence, around 5AD the name really got into vogue and stayed on
like a cheap suit for the next sixteen centuries.
Now, Paris is renowned for the snobbery and rudeness of its people,
which can easily be found at numerous locations and in copious
quantities the moment you open your mouth. However, in their defence,
with over 30 million tourists a year and, therefore, 9 times the
entire population of the Région Parisienne asking the same
"I am lost. Where is the Eiffel Tower?" question in
countless languages other than French; it is commendable they
haven't stopped being rude.
Let's not all play saints here. Since the beginning of time and
this includes the Bible, there has been an inherited local disdain
for tourists and interlopers of any nation or kingdom. Thus Parisians
can hardly be found at fault when realizing the quagmire they
are in: A positive cash flow from tourism which also doubles as
a dilutant of local culture.
Simply read what Le Lido and the Moulin Rouge where originally
all about and how they have devolved throughout the years in order
to satisfy tourists' clichéd expectations. This is a social
danger which few modern cities have to deal with. However Paris
as the most touristic destination in the world will have to face
this threat soon or later.
Back to the city today: It’s huge. It's over-priced and
it takes some time to get over the ever-present musky smell of
dry urine around the Seine. Especially in the hotter months. I
am not saying the city is filthy, just that it has a huge nightlife
and not enough public washrooms. Trust me, you can find almost
anything along the Seine. From book-stands near Notre Dame encompassing
the renowned second-hand book market on one side to thong-only
wearing retirees catching sun along really shocked stares from
tourists on the other.
Their subway is massive yet needed since the metropolitan area
of Paris is over one hundred square kilometres. Interesting to
know that due to the historical nature of the city core, no legislation
allows for the low-density buildings to be torn down and create
the infrastructure of New York or Toronto with their sky-reaching
high rises. Therefore France as a whole is a very flat city. As
such, most inhabitants along with the financial district, in their
quest for space have moved to the suburbs. Thus having the rare
situation where the center of the city has an old town vibe -
but with lots, and lots of cars.
Oh Paris, you are a true Metropolis, in both size and style that
is truly your own. France too lives up to its reputation as a
country where anything you order to drink at a restaurant will
cost you more than a glass of wine. Including water. Yet like
in Spain, I hardly saw drunken people, especially taking into
consideration just how accessible alcohol is. Toronto should learn
a lesson here. Importing a few better cheeses would not hurt either.
Are you listening Toronto? However, it is the lifestyle which
is the biggest difference. Even as a financial, fashion and artistic
European powerhouse you cannot shake the feeling that somehow
they are doing a little more living than North Americans. Whether
it comes down to the food, their outlook, their jazz or the musk
of urine during hot summer nights, I have to admit that a part
of me fell in love with Paris.
Mauricio
Osegueda is a Toronto-based freelance writer with ten
years experience with the written word. Having adventured
through over fifteen countries and lived in three, he is an
avid lover of history and culture who specifically makes a
point to take the road less traveled. Fluent in English and
Spanish and on his way to mastering French, he continues to
write for multiple publications and as always, his blog.
