I was asked by a good friend of mine to talk about my experience in Paris, as I’m Venezuelan living in this gorgeous city since 2016.
At first when Okan suggested it, I thought, where am I going to get my inspiration from? The Champs-Élysées, Eiffel tower, Arc de Triumph, Place de la Concorde, Musée d’Orsay and the list goes on and on and on... Are they not enough inspiration for me to write an article about my experience in Paris???
Well, I have to say sometimes it is not as simple as thinking about the beautiful buildings, museums, streets, monuments that you get your inspiration to write about this beautiful but very difficult to live in city. At least it was my case!
Everything started in August 2016, when my husband due to his job got moved to Paris.. I was unhappy with the move as I was very happy living and working in London.
Personally, the differences between the two cultures (English and French) were huge in many senses. I didn’t expect it just being two hours apart from each other...The lack of organization, nonsense burocracy, people complaining all the time for everything, among others, made me feel to miss London.
However, one of the things that made me feel good living in Paris, was the food!!! Having a very nice dessert (even in a metro station) it was possible, a simple but very nice baguette with cheese made me feel I was actually in the city of lights where intolerance to gluten doesn’t exist! :)
Nice terraces (without people smoking in your face) but let’s forget about that just for one second. It is another charming thing about this capital.
How about the language? Love it! For me French is so romantic where everything sounds lovely even «poubelle» sounds romantic to me.
It took me a year to understand how the system worked and once I did it, everything was easier and smooth.
Et voilà... Currently, I’m living here and I consider myself lucky living in one of the most famous, glamourous and charming boulevard with my children and husband who are very happy. I just see the positive side, taking the time to discover this beautiful country that for many Venezuelans can only be a dream that sadly, they won’t make it true!
Mary Manzano