Paris, In My Opinion
Just like people from New Jersey are no mystery to New Yorkers, Spain is that way with the French. I’ve seen them as tourists. I’ve had them as roommates and classmates in Spain. I’m not a fan. But I don’t have to be, because the French are so much in love with themselves that it’s really not necessary. They don’t care if we like them, so it works out. Oh, they’re nice enough to the foreigners they’re fleecing for money, but if you live around them long enough, their true nature comes out. There’s a reason why, when people are stuck up and rude, Europeans say “Who knew they were French?” Their rudeness is legendary. Paris is like that girl who’s freakin drop dead gorgeous but OMG, doesn’t she know it, walking around with her nose in the air, like you’ve got a fat, hairy nerve for thinking you have the right to talk to her. That’s France as a whole, but especially Paris. The French have this bitchy way of letting you know in no uncertain terms that they look down on you. Now, I realize that my crass American ways are offputting to most Europeans. Maybe it’s just me. But the French go out of their way to smack you with left-handed questions like “Why do American women dress like pigs?”, as you stand there in your jeans and sneakers, ready to walk over a mile to get to class. They say it like it’s not really an insult…they were just curious as to why you don’t occasionally throw on a dress and walk that mile in 4″ heels. And don’t speak French to them, even if you think you can. You can’t. And I totally get it. Nobody likes having to cut through a thick accent. But as much I might hate hearing it, it’s even worse for the person trying to communicate. I’ve been that foreigner. It’s hard enough trying to ask someone where the bathroom is when you can’t speak their language. And it’s harder still trying to understand the answer. But imagine really needing to pee, while the person you asked tells you IN ENGLISH that if you can’t speak their language properly, don’t speak it at all because it’s an insult…and then walks away, without ever telling you where the bathroom is. That’s the French.
Exploring Paris
Of course it’s walkable! America is the only place I’ve ever lived where they fling all the interesting stuff so freakin far away that you have to drive to get there. All of Europe is wonderfully walkable. And there’s so much stuff to see and do in Paris…most of it geared toward relieving tourists of their money. It’s one of the shopping capitals of the world. What’s the point in going there if you’re not going to shop? Well, here’s the secret, not just to Paris but Europe in general…if you’re not into history, just accept the fact that you’re only going there to be fleeced of your cash and have a wonderful time. But there’s so much to get into if you’re an intelligent person who knows and appreciates the history of the country. As you walk the city, be mindful of who walked the streets before you. The people may be standoffish or downright rude, but the history of France is the real reason to go. The literature, the philosophers, the military power that France once was…you’re missing out if you can’t get into that. France sacrificed itself so that America could win its revolution. How can any American not want to know more? If you know the history of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, that tour of the Jardin des Tuileries will actually mean something because you’ll go there knowing that it was where they took refuge during the revolution, before they were taken to the Place de la Concorde, where they were beheaded. And now the Tuileries palace is gone. The real beauty of walking Paris isn’t in the shopping. It’s in knowing where you are, who lived and died there, and in being able to put yourself into all the amazing history that took place where you are. If you can’t do that, just relax and enjoy getting ripped off!
Walking the Neighborhood
Move the mouse on top of the little gold man on the map. Hold down the left mouse button and you’ll see blue lines appear. Those lines are streets. Drag and drop the little man on top of the street you want and let go of the mouse button. The picture on the right will change to show you a view of that street along with the street name. Click the arrows on the street to “walk” around. Or you can double-click the street to walk if there’s an arrow under your cursor. Roll the middle mouse button to zoom in and out. That’s all there is to it. Now get out there and explore!