My best friend in Paris

Walking can be hell. And Paris is a city where you are meant to walk.

Good thing my mother "forced" me to bring my rubber shoes. Otherwise, something might have died while I was in Paris. My feet.

During the training, I had to wear my leather shoes. And one day, two of my classmates and I decided to visit the Vincennes Woods. I've seen the place in the net. It was supposed to be very nice. And so we must go visit it.

We asked some people for direction and they said that it was a 15 minute walk. And so we start walking. We saw the little park. It was beautiful. All green and fresh. A little window to what Eden might have looked like.

Walk. Walk. Walk. My internal clock tells me that we have exceeded the 15 minute mark. Yet, from afar, I cannot see even a hint of its gate. I hear my feet beginning to complain. I try not to listen.

Some old men were stooping down to get some water from a fountain. We asked again for direction. 15 minute walk again, they say. Later on, I learned that when they say 15 minutes, it means 30 minutes or more to us.

And so we plodded on. My poor feet. Walk. They are crying. I think I am almost limping. Walk. We saw a path. It does not lead to our chosen Woods.

It will be dark soon. My colleagues noticed that I am beginning to slow down. They asked me if I want to continue. My poor toes decided for me. I told them we should head back. But I asked for a few minutes of rest. Good thing. Otherwise I might have crawled back.

The next day I was wearing my rubber shoes. It became my best friend.

While walking along the Montmartre area and going up the stairs to see the Sacre Coeur Basilica.

While enjoying my promenade from Louvre to the Triumphal Arch (two or three metro stations between them.., just to illustrate the length of my walk) and passing through the long Tuileries Gardens.

While strolling along the streets of Latin Quarter and finally having a conversation in English... with my former French teacher!

While feasting on artworks inside various museums and walking their long corridors such as the Louvre with its 260 meters exhibition space.

I now miss my long jaunts in Paris. Everytime you take a step, you will find something interesting, if not for its beauty, then for its being different. Long walks with fresh air. Solitary yet not lonely. Take a dose each day, with your rubber shoes.