Rendezvous Paris: In the Romance Capital of the World

Pengba Aruuba Eshingee *

"Have a safe and happy journey. If you have time remember that you will be greatly missed...," read her message.

Perhaps, her SMS was a reminder of how the trip to Paris -- the Romance Capital of the World -- would shape up. It was indeed food for thought that how one would make the voice of the heart and call of duty meet at a common point. By all accounts, the series of meetings and deadlines that were supposed to be met looked overwhelming favourites to win the match against two hearts.

Early October, Paris was at its colourful best. The wallnut trees wore the dress of greenish-yellow in the autumn sun. The maple leaves that have parted ways with twigs flew up from the ground as the chilly winds blew. As beautiful as they can get.

The sun continuously played hide and seek with the clouds, trying to beat the typical European weather. Sometimes it took a beating as rain won the hit-out, sometimes it emerged triumphant, much to the delight of those people walking down the street.

Fully aware that once the official engagements kicked off on the evening of landing at Paris it would be impossible to find time to roam around, the best thing that one could do was to make use of the little time available in the afternoon. Go and find out why the city was called the Romantic Capital of the World, albiet alone.

Thankfully, the Sofitel Hotel at Rue Beujon was at the heart of the city. Harldy five minutes walk, and there was the Arc de Triomphe -- one of the most famous monuments in Paris. In a city replete with history, the Arc straightaway turned the clock back to 1806, when it was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon after his victory at Austerlitz.

The structure, which took over 30 years to be completed, stood in the western end of Champs Elysees -- the high street of Paris and arguably the most expensive and famous avenue in the World.

Seeing those couples walk hand-in-hand, witnessing the lovebirds coming out from the cinemas, sipping coffee at the cafes, and tugging their shopping bags after a trip to the myriad luxury specialty shops-- it only made one miss someone who's miles away.

Eiffel Tower by the night

Even as one tried to soak in the atmosphere as much as posssible, something was still amiss and it was her. Felt as if the streetside restaurant had closed protesting her absence. Can the lovestruck heart be blamed for letting imagination take the flight of fancy in the lovers' paradise?

Yet, when the call of duty comes, it had to crashland. Landed, it did with a thud. From dawn to dusk, meetings after another, gathering information, communicating back with office, little did one realised how time went by. Being in Paris at a time when the biennial auto show was on, then you might as well check out what are the latest hot wheels, such as the Lexus Hybrid or the new Lamborghini.

Heck! The heart still refused to listen and yelled, how complete it would have been had she been around to see all those beauties on four-wheels together?

To make the matter worse, standing in front of the Eiffel Tower at night, which glowed in its blue best, being atop it -- all alone. Nothing could be more tortourous than seeing those couples exchanging love vows overlooking the beaufiful city from the tower.

A day thus gone missing someone, the next day was no better. Driving to Diappe, some 550 km away from Paris on a sports utility vehicle, one would have thought the challenge of driving in a left hand drive country would have kept the mind occupied. But, the moment one started drving on the motorway, surrounded by the picturesque French countryside, passing tiny places like Evereux, Le Havre -- thoughts immediately travelled to the lush green Imphal valley.

Perhaps, Paris maybe the Romance Capital of the World, but Manipuri hearts are no less lovers than the Parisians for sure!

Check out the full gallery on this Paris trip here.

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* Pengba Aruuba Eshingee, a pseudonym, is a regular contributor e-pao.net. You can email the writer at penbga(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com. This article was webcasted on October 12 2007.

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