Paris... x2

After loads of travel, each city tends to mush together in your memory. Dirty streets, gloomy skies, traffic whizzing by—the same recurring elements fill the cavernous buildup of urban experiences. Each time I go to Paris, however, my perspective is refreshed.
Perhaps it's the abundance of mouth-watering pastries and baguettes, or the never-ending rows of graffiti-filled alleyways, or the countless shops filled with everything from consigned 90's denim to glistening designer creations. Maybe it's the inspiring street style that Parisians sport as they parade their slender legs along sidewalks, or maybe it's the glittering Seine in the day or the glittering Eiffel at night.
It could also be the obscure café's and bars tucked away, filled with antique furniture, quirky young waiters, and old men reading newspapers. Or it could be all the men trying to force you to buy cheap "beer, wine, champagne" on the field in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Something about this city is so idiosyncratic, and not in the way conventional people imagine it to be.

When people think of Paris, they think of black berets, striped shirts, crêpes, and the Eiffel Tower; it is so much more than that. Maybe that's why paris syndrome is a real thing <click here to see what I mean>
Yes, Paris shares the same characteristics with many of the other major cities I've been to, but at the same time, it always stands out in my mind as Paris. It's the land of sweet macarons, amusing metro rides, and charming nooks/crannies.
I will never try to put it in a box of unrealistic expectations (no thanks to Amélie, Midnight in Paris, etc.) because I know that each experience, no matter where I go, will be full of unexpected adventures and occurrences—and I think this is an extremely important thing to keep in mind when traveling.
Caitlin and I had no idea that I'd cut my finger open while making avocado toast, or that our airbnb would be smelly and disgusting, or that she'd accidentally spill a pan of chicken grease all over her head and a bottle of red wine all over the bed. We rolled with the punches, and ended up still having a great trip. The key to travel success is adapting seamlessly to change.

Apart from this aside, I just want to say that Paris is definitely the city of love for me, and I hope to return someday (and maybe even live there).

That's all for now, folks!
Hope you have a good week.