Paris... A dream come true

When I got the news that I was selected as an EPOG graduate at University of Paris Nord, I was filled with joy. Living in Paris is like a dream come true and more. Having lived in Islamabad, a beautiful city surrounded by Margalla hills and seated in Potohar Plateau, I was excited to not only travel but live in a place where city life is not only fast but a romanticised dream come true.

When I first opened my eyes, I fell in love with the architecture. Architecture is not just an eye candy but something that moves me, makes me yearn for more of the past. Paris, a city in which history prevails and is kept alive by the amazing work of art. I remembered the famous quotation "Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space"-Mies Van Der Rohe. Thus, good architecture makes you believe that the past, present and future all come together in a single space and time.

I always wanted to see a live ballet performance and witnessed my first Opera in Paris. The orchestra, the musicians the back drop of the iron lady/Eiffel tower at Bastille at that time made my day. Ballet performance does a weird trick to your mind. As a layman, it may seem that it is a mere movement of body in space but in reality the performers fall in an indefinite trance to the music being played.

Even though my native language is Urdu and English, I learnt to understand French with time. Often times when we can't speak a language, we learn to rely on connotations and body language which made it more interesting for me. At the start of our semester, we were given elementary language classes in French. I decided to appear in the DELF Test but could not because I was working on a very special topic in my dissertation and had to put in my full concentration. However, for a year in Paris I conversed with people, in shops and banks, post office and university in a mixture of both languages(English and French).

I had my worst experience in the Immigration Office. I went in to submit my OF11 paper, a confirmation of your visa that you are living in the city. People in the immigration office treated me and almost most of my batch mates in a not very nice manner. When you are an outsider you are not fluent in the local language just like English is a foreign language for French/German people etc. Having said that they were adamant that I conversed in French at the office and since I could not I felt a bit absurd about their idiosyncratic notions.

When you love a city all your senses come to play. I'm not only a food lover but think that it God's greatest blessing on mankind. Even though initially I felt French cuisine was bland but couldn't help myself on the amazing baked breads, cheese and noisette cafe. The smell of baked breads stuffed with Turkish meat was so over powering that it can fill you up entirely. However, nothing in the world can replace the aroma of coffee served with croissants and macarons. The smell of freshly grounded coffee beans accompanied with the taste can take you into another world; a world filled with joy.

I am really fond of water since my childhood and love to travel to such places. Even though the sea is in the South of France but River Seine sufficed my passion for water. The river flowing throughout the city had an undeliable charm to it-reminding me of memories long forgotten.

Even though Paris is one of the most expensive places to live in thanks to the high residential cost but it is a once in a life time experience-thanks to my family for providing me all the funding. I lived in Ile-de-France, suburbs of Paris and travelled to universities in different parts of the city(Paris is huge) for lectures and seminars.

I have been to other countries, studied history and seen how they have transformed into emerging nations. I personally believe that France has maintained its foot hold thanks to the cosmetics and fashion industry-durable goods/services that create a huge investment market. A country that specializes in tertiary sector and moves beyond the primary and secondary stage attracts greater financial gains internally and externally. The entire world uses labels and cosmetic brands i. e Channel, Loreal, H & Y that are manufactured in France. Thus an an upcoming cosmetics industry, it is playing an extremely important role.

When you are lying down and reminiscing about the time spent in a foreign land, among foreign people, speaking a foreign language and living a foreign culture you have to unlearn many past experiences and re learn new ones.

In my first week after settling down I decided to go to Concord and visit the touristy spot; Eiffel tower. I was so engrossed in my trip that I arrived back in Villetanuese station very late. During that time, they were constructing a tram near my accommodation and I could hardly find any night buses to take me home. For the first time in my life, I was dead scared. Even though I managed to go back home safely but the darkness near the university area (there were hardly any street lights)and alcoholics on the street creeped me out. At that time I promised myself to check the bus timings before going on my next venture.

When you are writing down a travel blog, it is as if your thoughts and feelings are gushing down a piece of paper. I find it not only exuberating to share my experiences but feel it exhilarating. I have been a pluviophile(a person who finds pleasure in rain) since my childhood. Paris had a very unpredictable weather. At times when I left for my grocery shopping, I decided not to take an umbrella with me since the sun shone brightly through my windowsills. However, within an hour's time, coming back from my nearest hypermarche, it not only rained but at times a heavy downpour occured. Rain, a blessing of God which not only cures you but the water droplets falling on nature is an amazing experience. It is as if the trees and plants heal in the divine blessing.It is indeed a joy when you can safely travel back to your home and basque in the divine glory but not when you are without your safety kit. A tip for all the travellers and tourists in Paris:Please take along your umbrellas and rain coats whenever you are travelling even if it is the nearest possible distance to your home.

The best part about being in Paris is that the people are very helpful and friendly. Even if you are walking down a street and are not very sure about navigating your way through maps and google maps you will fond tons of people ready to help you. Even though people in my country, Pakistan are very helpful to foreigners, I find this trait very rare among many societies. It is pivotal to keep your societal values alive no matter where you are from, what religious belief you follow, what colour you are and what class you belong to. God created us equal and will remain so till the end of day.

I visited Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I believe that all places of worship are respectful and is important for your spiritual healing and uplifting. We all resort to other means to get peace of mind, free ourselves from the worries of this world, vent out our worldly frustrations. However, religion plays a powerful role to bring within you a sense of gratitude and contentment, a sense of peace and joy to your soul. As a famous saying in Quran(12:87): "And do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah. Indeed none lose hope in the mercy of Allah except the most ungrateful people"

The most annoying thing that I experienced in Paris was that I became a passive smoker. I am allergic to smoke since my child hood. However, I found out entire subway stations and streets filled with smoke butts. Similarly, the brewery industry is growing in Paris. You might have heard about the famous cheese and wine. I'm a non-alcoholic, one because it is not permissible in Islam and secondly I believe that anything that paralyzes a person's mind to give into instant gratification is not only harmful for your health but unethical if used and abused. However, night life in Paris is growing with bars and pubs on one note and smokers who are unaware of the health issues they might get into.

During my visit to Gallerie Lafeyette, I was astounded by the amazing art work on the ceilings. At times you wonder that man is very superficial by nature but at other times you just can't help wondering about the artistic abilities, and how God has given an amazing talent to people that is a miracle in its own right and undescribable in words.

During my stay in Paris, I took part in many Institute of New Economic Thinking(I-NET) Conferences and learned a lot about various academic initiatives in the field of economics. Similarly, I took part as a discussant in joint seminars, one of the mandatory parts of our course to critique/comment on published papers by policy makers and economists.

The best part about my travelogue was my visit to Louvre Museum. Once I was inside I found many young artists and photograhpers busy in sketching and drawing the sculptures. I was stunned by the art-work on the walls and ceilings. It literally took my breath way.

Photo gallery