Paris Expectations v. Reality

I really like this theme, but I realize that it is difficult to discuss expectations in retrospect, but I’ll do my best to be unbiased.

Expectation: The bread in Paris would be incredible.
Reality: The bread at the hostel that they served for breakfast tasted normal.

Expectation: Versailles would be a beautiful house, very elaborate with gorgeous architecture.
Reality: Versailles was an INCREDIBLY beautiful chateau with simple and sophisticated, intricate architecture. Meg, Ken and I decided to explore the gardens instead of the actual chateau, and that took us half the day! Luckily we were there early enough to see the fountains actually running with water, and there was music playing in the background. I think I took around 150 pictures just at Versailles because it was picture perfect. The gardens were so well tended to, and there were about 16 different sections of the garden with different patterns or set ups. Each set up was beautiful in different ways, and it was fun to kind of explore in the maze created by the gardens. I couldn’t imagine having those gardens as my backyard and just finding a shady corner to read. It would definitely be conducive for the biggest game of hide and go seek…ever. Versailles was definitely the most beautiful house and garden I’ve ever seen.

Expectation: Crepes EVERYWHERE!
Reality: There are only crepe stands in certain parts of the city, and unfortunately after our trip to Versailles, we did not go to one of those parts of Paris. It was late afternoon when we got back and we were starved and desperate for food in the Carousel de Louvre. It seemed our options were either pay around 15 euro for a sandwich or 4 euro for a Happy Meal. 3 college students…I’ll let you figure that one out. I did get my crepe that I was anticipating later that night for dinner-sugar, lemon and butter—delicious!

Expectation: The Louvre would have lots of paintings, lots of corridors and the Mona Lisa would be huge and prominently displayed in a bulletproof case.
Reality: The Louvre was huge! We got in for free because we are students of the EU for the summer, and we spent about an hour and a half in the museum. I got to see the Renaissance paintings, Italian and French works of art, famous statues like the Venus de Milo, and some of Napoleon’s old furniture. Most of the museum was pretty empty, except for the Mona Lisa room. It was a pretty small painting, and again, it was unreal to see the painting because it is arguably the most famous painting in the world. I won’t say that I had any real artistic inspiration by looking at it, but it was pretty cool.

Expectation: Paris would have lots of trendy shopping, be super expensive, and everyone would be really well dressed.
Reality: Maybe those things are true, but just not in the super touristy areas that I was exploring. Meg and I did some souvenir shopping and our greatest find was twelve postcards for 2 euro. I found something for my sister, (I know she doesn’t read this so I’m not worried about her knowing), and just had fun seeing all the super tacky Paris souvenirs.

Expectation: I’ve already talked a little about the Eiffel Tower, but I definitely had high expectations for it before I went to Paris. I’ve seen so many pictures of it, seen it in so many movies and it is just such an icon of Paris.
Reality: The Eiffel Tower exceeded my expectations by a mile. Not only did its sheer size blow me away, but the majestic and impressive presence was just so powerful. For something built out of criss-cross metal, it is so graceful and beautiful. Meg and I opted to walk up the stairs to the second level of the tower instead of waiting in the mile long line for the elevator, saving money and getting a work out in at the same time. We counted the steps and recorded our hike on the way up and came to about 686 steps. The view from the second level was absolutely incredible and we could see all of Paris. I couldn’t help but think about all the pictures that were being taken of me while I was up there…haha.

Expectation: I thought the river boat cruise would be beautiful as we cruised along the Seine seeing all the monuments. Meg had talked it up a lot so I was looking forward to it.
Reality: We chose the only time in Paris that it rained to go on the cruise. (Meg-if you are reading this—totally not your fault, it was still awesome!). Luckily the boat was covered, and it may have actually been the best thing to do in the rain since we were still seeing the sites but weren’t getting soaked. It cleared up at the end and we were able to go outside to see the Eiffel Tower and watch it light up. Gorgeous. A perfect end to the night.


August 7