Sounds travel यात्रा joy yogyakarta
Imagine sounds of chatter roaming the air, surrounded by vivid lights flickering, and ravishing, luxurious dogs walking on the streets – that is what Paris is. The scent of freshly baked goods and rich hot chocolate lingers as the magnificent view is presented to you. Surrounding you are windows of shops waiting for you to walk into, filled with gifts to purchase.
Walking out of the airport into the streets of Paris is like walking into a street full of heavenly bakeries and restaurants with sweet and salty scents hovering in the air and following the pattern of the palatable wind. Every smell has a slight distinctness from one another, allowing you to follow the scent leading up to an elegant restaurant. When you walk in, the wooden tables and comfortable seats greet you along with the soft voices of the waiters.
Taking out your phone, you open Google Translate to understand the complicated words written in French on the menu. Slurping on the comforting sweet and savory Onion Soup full of cheese overflowing the puff pastry as your first dish, the hot liquids and caramelized taste run down your throat, relaxing your entire body. Then, you begin to try the traditional French dishes that include hare meat, and escargot- 2 dishes that you’ve never tried or heard of.
The hare meat almost seems identical to regular cow meat except for its more soft and chewy texture, while escargot, a dish made from snails, completely shocks you with its creamy, buttery flavor. Finally, you top everything off with a refreshing pineapple gelato. Heading out of the restaurant feeling satisfied and full, the next stop is a nearby bakery or cafe. The smell of the rich hot chocolate rings in the cafe, with the baked goods displayed in front of you; it is the perfect way to end a meal. Waiting in line for a few minutes and ordering the creamy hot chocolate and the baguettes baked perfectly, you start strolling around, admiring the beauty ahead of you.
Wherever you look, magnificent monuments are proudly standing in front of you. The Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louver Museum capture your eyes as they are surrounded by crowds of tourists taking photos and videos. Tall vintage-styled buildings stand, representing the elegant, gothic style of Paris architecture.
The lights flicker and change colors on the Eiffel Tower as the triangle top pierces through the sky, luring you to stand in front of it shocked with amazement. The romantic atmosphere filled with charming streets leaves you in awe as the sun slowly sets. Pink, orange, yellow, red, and a slight hint of purple hit the glass prism of the Louver Museum as you stand in front of it taking endless pictures, creating a vibrant background. What is laid ahead of you seems like something you would see in movies, the dark night lightened up by vivid colors.
Lastly, as many of you know, Paris is a paradise for shopping. Starting from small streets with souvenirs, all the way to large streets full of designer brands, Paris is truly the place to shop for everything on your wishlist. The streets are crowded with people looking around and shopping for items that they’ve wanted for a cheaper price. The small keychains representing each of the sights you saw earlier capture your eyes, making it impossible to not purchase. The chatter of people enjoying the experience fills the streets alluring you to walk further down the pathway into a world full of bags, jewelry, shoes, and a variety of fashion items you would want to take back with you.
Slowly browsing and paying for each and every one of the items you carefully picked out, your eyes suddenly turn its sight to the French berets- something you had only seen on TV shows. The iconic vivid colors, as well as the light pastel colors of the berets seize your attention, making you feel like one of the artists sitting on the streets of Paris. You quickly grab one, pay for it and shove it in your bag before the sky gets too dark. Returning back to your hotel with the best feeling of knowing that you made purchases that could not be made in any other countries, you pack up your suitcase getting ready to return back to your hometown early in the morning the next day.
Paris is the definition of beauty, from the mouthwatering food and breathtaking views to the massive monuments with a long-lasting history. It feels as if you came to another planet, another world, and another land. The second you step out of the airport, the magical land opens you up to all the unimaginable beauty. It is almost like an abstract painting- open to different types of interpretations of joy and fulfilling each and every one of them. A painting full of splatters of colors and images, allowing it to be the perfect place to travel.
By: Taehee Kim
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