Paris, je t'aime

I have suspected this for the longest time. And today my suspicions have been proved right. I absolutely love Paris. I almost feel as if I am cheating on NYC here. Paris may have replaced NYC as my favorite city. Just maybe.

Well, before I go into it my trip here was eventful. Flight delayed by nearly 2 hours. Painful train ride to the hostel. Walking around lost in a drizzle. Hauling my big-ass suitcase four flight of steps. Things were not off to a good start.

But managed to get in a good night of sleep and get into a positive frame of mind by the morning. Took the metro down to the Louvre. As I got out of the metro and breathed the Paris air, still moist from last night's rain, I knew it. This city is going to take hold off me. The first croissant and coffee sitting outdoors was like foreplay.

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays (how smart of me not to check). But that didn't matter. I was just happy to be walking around Paris. The sidewalks, the streets, the women- everything seemed to have that something extra. Don't get me wrong. Physically, Italian women are much more gorgeous than Parisian women. But there is something about them - Je ne sais quois - which is so alluring. More on this topic later.



So wandered about the Parisian streets, went to the Eiffel Tower. Don't have much to say beyond what has been said or seen. But the true surprise for me was Notre Dame. I never expected to be so captivated by it but I was. The truth is I was awe-struck by the sheer beauty of it - both inside and outside.



This was very susprising given that I had just visited the most famous church in the world - St Peter's Basilica - a few days back. I was quite impressed with that at the time. But Notre Dame was something else. I can't really spell out what it was - maybe the gothic architecture, the stained glass or the organ which was playing inside. Again the French phrase comes to mind - 'Je ne sais quois'. They had a guestbook of sorts at the Church and here is what I wrote in it -


"I don't know if God exists. But if he does, I am sure it is in the incredible beauty of exquisite art like this".

Ciao Bella & Yellow !

Today I bid adieu to Rome and head to Paris.

Rome has been wonderful. The cool and soothing fountains, the narrow alleys, the cobblestone paths, the history at every corner, the yummy gelato and the beautiful women (I will write a post just dedicated this later). There are many more things which will remain with me for the rest of my life.

This would not have been possible without the wonderfully wondederful hostel I stayed at - The Yellow. Amazing and helpful staff, super-clean rooms, wonderful breakfast and prime location. Gratzi, Yellow !

The last night in Rome, I spent wandering the Trevi Fountain & Spanish steps, eating gelato people watching. In effect that sums up Rome for me too. It is not about the historic monuments it is about the people - effervescent and ebullient, the food - scrumptidelicious and their zest for life.

Favorite memory - Having a capuccino at a cafe which has been there since 1745 & eatng gelato sitting near the fountains at Piazza Navona.

Just like all the tourists, I did make a wish and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. I hope to be back when that wish comes true.

Arrivederci Roma !

Sweltering...

...thats what it is like in Rome. Not exactly the best weather to be walking around the Colosseum and The Roman Forum. I am sure one of my friends would really love this weather. :)

The Colosseum is indeed imposing. The scale of the structure built in the pre-industrial age is just staggering. Since I have never been a huge history buff, I was starting to get bored towards the end. Maybe the heat had something to do with it too.

One my way to the Pantheon, I stumbled upon this beautiful church. From the outside it looked pretty much like any other around Rome. Even though it is marked on the tourist maps, it is not exactly in the top list of things to see. But I am glad I went in. It was exquisite inside with the ceiling reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel. It also had a feigned cuppola which was really intricate and unique.

Since I was coming to the end of my trip, we went across the river into where locals hang out and had a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant. Even though the restaurant was packed, we were the only tourists there. That my friends is always a good sign.

As we were walking back the local women were out in full force dressed to the hilt for the night. It was indeed a vision :)

Today too was insanely warm. Luckily I was just visiting the Borghese Gallery. So it was all good. For my last night I am heading up to the Trevi Fountain and then to the Spanish Steps.

Tomorrow, I will have couple of hours to kill before heading to the airport for my Paris Flight. Hopefully I will rent a Vespa and drive around for a bit.

Till then...

Stolen moments of Silence

You know how they say a good morning begins with a good breakfast. Sitting outdoors in a cafe adjoining the hostel and having a yummy breakfast put me in a swell mood.

Today was all Vatican. St Peter's square is truly magnificent and imposing. Sitting under the columns with the breeze blowing and eating gelato has to be one of those special moments.

While that was laid-back and relaxed, climb upto the top of the Basilica was not. Smart one that I am, I chose to forgoe the option of taking the elevator (would have saved me 200 steps) and just climb all the 520 steps. The view atop was breathtaking but my legs weren't too happy about it.

There is not much to say about the Basilica or the Museum (incuding the Sistine Chapel). It was everything I imagined to be. Interestingly I could draw some parallels between the Basilica and one of the famous temples back home.

Yet another point of note - among the myriad of "Madonna and Bambino" paintings in the museum, none of them depict any affection or joy in Mary's eyes. Was it because she was a virgin mother and regretted the baby? I wonder why.

Inside the Basilica, there were couple of prayer corners. I sat in each one of them for a few minutes. It was as if an invisible wall engulfed the area from the noisy crowds around us and I was stealing some moments of silence.

I remember something similar from years ago. It was my second year of college and we were on a trip to Kodaikanal. While my friends were still finishing up lunch, I was wandering around the neighborhood and saw this church. I went in there and sat inside. The peace and quiet I experienced today, was quite like the one from so many years ago. I found that intriguing

One a funny note, the Basilica has the rule where no bare knees or shoulders are allowed for men or women. So there was this girl who was turned away. She was standing in front of the Basilica entrance and shouting "I am f**king covered !" I just found it to be very funny. As were the women strking sexy poses inside the Basilica, essentially in front of the tombs of popes.

Today I am off to slay a few gladiators.

Afterthought...

Later today morning I got to know my roommates. Pretty nice guys actually. Couple of them from Canada and another from the Bay Area. Hung out with them for a lil while in the evening. Not so bad after all.

That is the trade off of living in a hostel. You never know who you may run into.

It ain't love yet...

Well, first evening in Rome wasn't so bad. Wandered around for 4-5 hours. Campo Di Fiori, Piazza Navona and quite a few other stops in between. Saving the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps for later.

Am about to make a bold statement - I am yet to be taken in by Rome. Sure, the cobble stone paths are quaint and some of the monuments are impressive but I am missing something. Not quite sure what it is.

The first time I set foot in NYC, I fell in love. Same for Chicago and SF. Maybe the touristy vibe is too much for me.

My favorite part so far has been the narrow alleys. There is something alluring about them. A hint of mystery of what lies beyond that narrow cobblestoned path. Of course the gelato was fantastic - I pretty much had that for dinner yesterday.

BTW the women are stunningly beautiful. Just confirmed my suspicion that I have a thing for Italian women.

Aaah...a little more spice. My hostel room is 4-person one - two bunk beds. Apparently one of our roommates managed to snag a one-night stand. Thankfully they were out of my field of vision.

I was actually woken up by their post coital small talk. In their drunken stupor they seemed to be mistaking yells for whispers and a hookup for something more (atleast the girl was). Since their vocabulary was limited to "am like", it was like nails on chalkboard.

Hopefully this stays an one-night stand. For my sleep's sake and for humanity.

Off to see the bloody ceiling today...

Tentative...

Just arrived in Rome an hour or so back. Still wondering if this was a good decision or not. Only time will tell.
Off to grab a bite and take a stroll...more later.

So it begins...

I have lived in only two countries - India & US. I have passed through many others in transit- Singapore, China, Japan, Germany, Hong Kong (if you consider it a country that is).

But they don't count. Those were just fleeting pauses in an attempt to get elsewhere.

At 30, I embark on my first vacation abroad. Up till now, I have been constrained by many factors - Money, work schedules, visa situations, my laziness etc. Now seemed like a time as good as any to make a change.

Change - I do need it.

While this vacation will be a change of pace and surroundings, I am hoping for something within. Maybe the streets of Rome and Cafes of Paris will be the catalyst.