I went to Paris, the City of Love, and never felt more alone

Since I was a kid, I've dreamed of visiting Paris, France. The pictures online, the stories my friends told, and the architecture all seemed so dreamy and romantic. In my head, Paris was a fairy tale where I would find my own Prince Charming on the streets of Montmartre. At 22, I decided to save up my money and embark on this fairy tale. I spent hours planning the perfect trip. I mapped out all the locations I wanted to visit, booked the cutest little Airbnb in the Latin Quarter, and learned basic French phrases to impress the locals. My dreams were coming true, and I couldn't wait to live a life like Amélie for the week. Day 1 After arriving in Paris, I saw the beauty of it all. I walked along the Seine, and everything was magical. I window shopped along the Champs-Élysées and went to the famous Café de Flore. The wind was blowing through my hair, and I felt like Blake Lively in A Simple Favor. I stopped at a cute patisserie and ordered a croissant and café au lait. I went to a nearby park and was ready to eat breakfast like Emily in Paris. But, as I sat on the only bench, an elderly couple asked me to move so they could sit down. I sat on the ground with my breakfast and cried. Why was I so emotional? In my head, I was supposed to meet a handsome man who would join me on this bench and we would talk for hours and then go to the Musée d’Orsay together. But none of that happened. I finished my breakfast and left. I decided to go to the most famous museum in Paris, the Louvre. It was so crowded and touristy, and I felt so overwhelmed by all the selfie sticks and fanny packs. The artworks were beautiful, but there was no mystery, no romance, or magic. It was just art on the wall. The only man who talked to me was trying to sell me mini Eiffel Towers. I left the Louvre and walked to the Palais-Royal. The gardens were beautiful, but there was no one to talk to, no one to share the beauty with, no one to eat a picnic lunch with. I stopped at a nearby café for lunch, and I cried again. Why was I so alone in the City of Love? In my head, I thought I would meet new people and have them show me around and teach me about Paris. But none of that happened. I was so basic, so American, so alone. I decided to go to a small café for dinner. I sat at the bar and the owner greeted me with a smile. He asked me where I was from and we talked for a little while. I felt somewhat better, but then a French couple sat next to me and started to talk to each other in a language I couldn't understand. I felt so out of place, so alone. I finished my cheese plate and wine, and then I left. Day 2 The next morning, I went to a quaint bakery and ordered a baguette and breakfast sandwich. The store was so cute, but it was also so empty. Again, I sat on the floor and cried while I ate. Why couldn't I have someone to share a breakfast sandwich with? Why couldn't I find love in the air? I walked along the Seine again, and the weather was perfect. But, I still felt so alone, so empty. I stopped at a street artist, and he drew me a picture. He talked to me, and I felt a little better. In my head, I thought that maybe he could be the one, but that was just a silly thought. I left and went to Notre Dame. Again, it was crowded, but I didn't care because it was beautiful. I lit a candle and said a prayer for love. I walked to a nearby café and sat by the window. I saw a couple hug and squeeze each other, and I cried again. I decided to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower for sunset. It was perfect, and the view was beautiful. But again, I cried. I wanted to share this moment with someone. I left the Eiffel Tower and decided to go to a bar for a drink. I sat at the bar, and again, a French couple sat next to me. And again, I felt so alone. I finished my drink and went to a nearby park. I sat on a bench, and the streetlights turned on. I cried again, and a man approached me. "Are you OK?" he said. "Yes, I'm OK, just sad." "Why? You look beautiful." "I'm just sad. I thought I would find love in Paris, but I'm alone." "Don't be sad, you are in Paris. That is enough." He smiled and left. In my head, I thought that maybe this was my fate, maybe this was my Prince Charming. But in reality, he was just a nice guy trying to make me feel better. I left the park and went back to my Airbnb. Day 3 The next morning, I went to a market. I bought fresh flowers and a bottle of wine. I sat in my Airbnb and cried again. Why couldn't I meet someone? Why couldn't I find love? Why was I alone in the City of Love? I finished my wine and decided to go out. I went to the Arc de Triomphe. I walked to the top and saw the best view of Paris. I felt a little better, and I realized that maybe Paris wasn't for falling in love. Maybe Paris was for realizing that I didn't need a man to be happy. I left and went to a nearby restaurant. I sat at the bar, and the bartender greeted me. We talked, and he taught me about wine. I learned a new language, a language that wasn't love, but something even better. I finished my meal, and I went back to my Airbnb. I went to bed early and read a book. I woke up the next morning, and I felt better. I realized that Paris wasn't for falling in love, but it was for learning to love myself. I left Paris with tears in my eyes, but it wasn't because I never found love. It was because I found something even better, myself.

I went to Paris, the City of Love, and never felt more alone

Comments (1) 2219 👁️