It has been a long time since I have updated my blog. There was just too many events going on that I simply could not devote any time or make an effort towards another post.Christmas was an exceptional time in Brussels. The city was decorated with lights, bows, bells, trees, holly wreaths and stockings. Grand Place was fully lit complete with the Christmas tree and the manger (with real sheep inside!!).
We also made some quick visits to Antwerp, Amsterdam and Paris during the holiday season. It was very chilly (temperature hovering around 0 degrees C) during our visit to Antwerp and Amsterdam.
Paris trip was really memorable since the weather was also quite favourable (10 degrees C) and because it is Paris!! We took the open tours sightseeing bus for the whole day and went around the city. This gave us the freedom to "hop-on" and "hop-off" as per our needs in different parts of the city.
During school years, my French teacher used to show us a glossy books with pictures of famous Paris landmarks and explain each location in detail. At that time, Paris was tucked away in another corner of the world only to be seen and heard through books and videos in French class.
I remembered each of these locations when I went around the city this time. The song Madame taught us in school O Champs-Elysees was buzzing in my head as we criss-crossed this famous avenue bordering the river Seine.
The other locations like Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Tour Eiffel and the Louvre looked picture perfect even on a hazy winter day.
We stopped by the famous Notre Dame Cathedral immortalized by Victor Hugo in his work The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The cathedral attracts droves of tourists everyday. The gargoyles, ornate ceilings, picture panels, paintings, sculptures, decorated altar pieces and the sheer enormity of the structure is captivating.
Paris looked even more lively after sunset. The buildings, boutiques, bars, discs were all fully lighted making it truly a City of Lights.
I did not feel the distance between Brussels and Paris on board the high speed train Thalys. It was a smooth 85 minutes train ride between the two cities.
My liking for this city extends to the French language also. I am beginning another course in French the coming month. I believe that this language is as poetic, romantic and beautiful as the capital city of France.
We also made some quick visits to Antwerp, Amsterdam and Paris during the holiday season. It was very chilly (temperature hovering around 0 degrees C) during our visit to Antwerp and Amsterdam.
Paris trip was really memorable since the weather was also quite favourable (10 degrees C) and because it is Paris!! We took the open tours sightseeing bus for the whole day and went around the city. This gave us the freedom to "hop-on" and "hop-off" as per our needs in different parts of the city.
During school years, my French teacher used to show us a glossy books with pictures of famous Paris landmarks and explain each location in detail. At that time, Paris was tucked away in another corner of the world only to be seen and heard through books and videos in French class.
I remembered each of these locations when I went around the city this time. The song Madame taught us in school O Champs-Elysees was buzzing in my head as we criss-crossed this famous avenue bordering the river Seine.
The other locations like Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Tour Eiffel and the Louvre looked picture perfect even on a hazy winter day.
We stopped by the famous Notre Dame Cathedral immortalized by Victor Hugo in his work The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The cathedral attracts droves of tourists everyday. The gargoyles, ornate ceilings, picture panels, paintings, sculptures, decorated altar pieces and the sheer enormity of the structure is captivating.
Paris looked even more lively after sunset. The buildings, boutiques, bars, discs were all fully lighted making it truly a City of Lights.
I did not feel the distance between Brussels and Paris on board the high speed train Thalys. It was a smooth 85 minutes train ride between the two cities.
My liking for this city extends to the French language also. I am beginning another course in French the coming month. I believe that this language is as poetic, romantic and beautiful as the capital city of France.
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