French-bitten

Dear diary,

The short experience in France welcomes me to new sights, sounds and senses. For most, visiting Paris is an experience described as romantic, cultured .. But I differ in opinion.

Being in Paris was synonymous with all big cities, impressive, busy but anonymous. Although having your breath taken away by the magnificent structures and architecture, I believe Asian counterparts can rival the European monuments. I thoroughly soaked in the awe and indulged in clicks of the camera as we rode the elevator , all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower- the 3rd floor as it was termed. Two hundred and seventy-six metres from the ground. It was - beautiful. It certainly gave me a different perspective of Paris..
Having parted with 10 Euros for that skyline view is one charm of France I'd not forget.

But more importantly, I found warmth in a smaller sight of France, in Montpellier, three hours from the French capital.

Located by the Mediterranean Sea, Montpellier oozes of the warmth and coziness that Paris so lack, albeit a few hiccups with bureaucracies of airport systems.

The element that made Montpellier so special, amidst its centuries' old European architecture, cathedrals and cobblestone paths, were our hosts and our friends.

Travelling with varying nationalities adds the colour, spice, culture, humour and most heartwarming of all, the friendships. While sipping the various sweet wines and giggling over the common jokes, the enriching experience of seeing the sights of France is shared.