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 Paris,
the fountainhead of fashion, entices and enchants the tourists who
gape at its beauty and marvel at its might. My Parisian sojourn,
which lasted a week, was a visual smorgasbord.
My reverie became a reality last year. To see the land of haute
couture and haute monde is anybody’s dream. I accompanied my husband
Raja, who was on his third trip to Paris.
 We
were greeted by Bienvenue a Paris (Welcome to Paris) at the Charles de Gaulle Airport.
I must admit I brushed up my French before boarding the aircraft as
it did help me in reading the signboards.
The landscape from the airport to the city is
expressive, speaking its own visual language. Since it was almost
winter, you can imagine how cold it would have been. The overcast
sky, biting cold and occasional rains did not dampen my spirits and
I wandered in the rues and enjoyed the attractions of Paris.
 The
tres – chic Parisien(ne) are trendsetters in every sphere and their
camaraderie is infectious.
My friends briefed me on the not-to-miss points
but they declared that I need to take the elegant trains and walk to
see any spot instead of traveling by autos or call taxis as we do in
India. I was mentally prepared for both and physically fine-tuned my
body by doing some workouts.
 As
a person exposed to the torrid Indian summer for almost 10 months,
just imagine my position with the thick clothes I wore in Paris. I
was camouflaged in winter clothes from top to bottom expect for my
face which bore the brunt of the icy cold winds.
We decided to see one of the Wonders of the
World, Eiffel Tower, on the day of our arrival. We walked in the
squally weather with winds slapping our faces and boarded the famed
metro rail and got off at the nearest railway station.
 We
walked eagerly towards the magnificent Eiffel Tower which is a
symbol of Paris.
The Eiffel Tower loomed large in front of me on
the banks of the River Seine. The Pont de la seine (bridge on the
Seine), which leads to the tower, had shimmering lights on either
side and guided the tourists to the renowned spot. We should enjoy
and experience the panoramic view of the illuminated tower and the
bridge which reflected on the quiet-flowing Seine. There is a
beehive of activity around this place.
Viola, if there is a paradise on earth, it is
here.
(To be continued)
Usha Raja
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