Au revoir, Paris

Four years ago, I visited Paris for two weeks. It was the first time I went to Europe. Everything was wonderful: dear Mona Lisa in Le Louvre, la tour Eiffel beside la Seine, searching the scenes from the movie Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain in Montmatre. I did feel that this was a city of love and freedom, the best city in the world undoubtedly.


Seven months ago, I was in Paris again for the second time. Transforming from a traveler into a student, I woke up from the dreamland and went back to the reality. I was lost in the full schedule studying and cooking 6 days a week. I usually got up at 6:30, freshened up myself and had breakfast including a banana, a sandwich, yogurt, soy milk, and an egg. Then I took the metro RER B from Luxembourg to Denfert Rochereau, changing to line 4 to Montparnasse Bienvenue, then line 12 to Vaugirard, where my school, the well-known but tiny Le Cordon Bleu Paris, is located. Day by day, I counted the stations I passed by and counted in reverse order when I went home. My classmates and I, we were all exhausted physically and mentally. I told Becky, one of my best classmates, that sometimes I didn't even remember I was in Paris.

However, the friendship between my classmates and I helped me get through the toughest part as a foreign student here. Thanks to Geroge, Jing, Yi-Wei, Christina, Mr. Blue, Mr. Ng, Bella, and Joyce. I was indeed a cuisine idiot at the beginning. Without their encourage and assist, I might fail the final exam.        

Of course, I would never forget the self-driving trip (or more precisely, Yi-Wei driving trip) to the Loire Valley and the fantastic food party at George's place. Moreover, completing the Paris Marathon 2013 with my best friend Wei Leo was so unbelievable. And having many great meals with Chien-Cheng was immensely satisfying.

It's not a long time ago since I left Paris, but I know I won't be able to go back to the cozy apartment on Rue Malebranche anymore. And it is likely that I won't be able to meet my classmates in Paris again, either. I learned a word from my Brazilian friends: "Saudade," my deeply melancholic longing for the one I love but will never return. That was why this month when I returned to Paris for the weekend I felt sorrow on the way. Paris was absolutely beautiful as usual......

La Seine and the Pont des Arts as usual

Les Halles as usual

Notre Dame de Paris as usual

La tour Eiffel as usual

My friend as usual

Nevertheless, the guy who thought Paris was the greatest city in the world has been gone. It is still nice, but no longer the best to me. I probably won't be back in the near future. So it is actually time to say goodbye.

Merci, Paris. I am grateful for the marvelous experiences you gave me, and for all the happiness, sadness, anger, joy, and life as a Parisian you taught me.

Au revoir, Paris.