As Ernest Hemingway Quotes,
'There are two places in the world where we can live happy; at home and in Paris!'
I recall that very moment when I was in a plane approaching this city of bliss. An illuminated city lay down the sky with an undying aura that wooed me. I had travelled for a stretch of 12 hours, crossed continents and spent countless piles of hard-earned money just to be in Paris. This French beauty was inviting me. And I didn’t realise how every single night, I simply counted the days to be here.
The quest was over. I was at my rightful destination. And my god was it pretty! Well-paved roads dotted with beautiful trees in vivid hues, cold wind that kissed my cheeks as I lurked out of the window and warm ‘Bon Jour Bon Jour’ from friendly faces every time I passed by; Paris was so much of a fairy tale.
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I felt at home, I felt happy, I felt infinite.
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'Darling Darling, Stand by me. Just as long, as you stand; stand by me'
I realised why the city is called the city of love! Its eternal characteristic cries out for love. The city has the ability to evoke this beautiful feeling inside you, and every void is replete with romance.
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So many faces happy and glee delighted me, language played no role when it came to conveying emotions, boundaries disappeared and prejudices melted. The macarons, the wine, bread and cheese became my comfort food. I found solace in the stylish overcoats, I got the hang of the bustling metro, I learnt how to pronounce Champs Elysees and I felt a tad proud to see the Arch de Triumph. Notre Dame seemed more than a cathedral and I realised, how little I miss my home.
With a heavy heart and a discontented mind, I left Paris.
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Just a few weeks later, this beloved city of the world was traumatized with terror attacks. The wounds are fresh and the cries have shaken me to the core. The inhuman attacks have not only taken lives of many, but disturbed the beautiful painting of god.
It is beyond human understanding why and how killing lives of innocents could result into something fruitful. Time and again in the history of the world, Humanity has been traded off for radical thoughts and pseudo patriotism. Whether the attacks where the repercussions of something in the past or not is a question for the officials, but every time this happens, Humanity bleeds and virtue of compassion is set to fire.
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But the city resurrected like a phoenix; emerged stronger than it was before. Life continued to triumph over death.
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It will take time, but we can be hopeful, that someday, earth will be a place free of hatred.
And no matter how hard one tries, Paris will still be the dream destination for millions. People will still travel to Paris, fall in love with it and will cherish it for the rest of their lives, just like I do. Because as they say,
'A Bad day in Paris it still better than a good day anywhere else'
