For those of you living in blissful ignorance, last week Dave and I nipped off to Paris for a mid week get away. Yes, Dave and I required a get away from Germany. Is that so wrong? I mean Germany is nice enough. We saw the sun a couple of times. I'm pretty sure we had a good night night out. The hostel was middle of the road and the food was adequate. I mean all in all it wasn't bad. Then again it wasn't great.
But Paris! Ah Paris... This is a city that captures my heart for no other reason than it's a pleasure to just exist there.
Paris has a rhythm, a heart beat, a palpable and pervasive culture that I am yet to encounter in any any other city. I love it. Sauntering down to the boulangerie, ordering my “Duex croissant et café noisette,” then ambling my way home. It's a life-style I am keen pursue, but that's for another time. Now I wish to share a moment of weakness with you all. A quick review of “how it should be done” may be required to have this make sense. We broke from our Parisian tradition once and only once in this visit. It shames me to admit this, but Dave and I went to see Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, the magnificent structure you see pictured above. Having said that it is by far and away one of the most beautiful churches I have seen to date and I don't regret a minute of it.
The main realisation to come from this interlude is that Berlin, and Germany as a whole seem to lack this cultural identity. The view from your bus or hostel window is no different from untold others encountered on this ramble. Personally however, I pitty the Germans because the French thus far are kicking their collective arse. That's gotta smart.
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