Well, we’re 2 full days into our stay in the beautiful city of Paris. To be honest, everything about Paris seems so different from the other European cities I’ve visited before arriving here. Everything from the churches and museums (so far) to the food and the culture are so new and different. It’s been a very different atmosphere than those in London, Stockholm, or Edinburgh. Something about it is so much more relaxed yet still fast-paced and exciting.
It’s very interesting to see the similarities and differences between each of the cities. For example, Stockholm was built right on the water and spans several islands. Similarly, Paris contains several islands as well, some of which we got the chance to see yesterday on our river cruise down the Seine.
Stockholm Harbor in Stockholm, Sweden
Seine River in Paris, France
That was not the case, however, in Edinburgh and London. London is separated into two sections by the Thames, but Edinburgh’s closest source of water is to the north of the city. The similarities between the Roman influences in England and here in Paris is very evident. For example, there were large Roman baths in the town of Bath, which is about two hours outside of London. There were also Roman baths we visited today near the Latin Quarter.
Roman Baths in Bath, England
Roman Baths in Paris, France
Regardless of how different Paris seems to be compared to everywhere else I’ve visited this summer, I have already become fairly comfortable living in the city. Besides not knowing the language, there is something familiar about being in Paris that I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s just me getting used to being away from the US for so long or it could be the fact that I’m with such a great group of people. Who knows, maybe I’ll figure it out eventually. Au revoir!