Paris. It is a Moveable Feast

“You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rains kept on and killed the spring, it was as though a young person died for no reason.”  -Ernest Hemingway

I went to Paris during fall, and read the book a year after. I don’t know if it was good or bad.

I think it was good as I got to experience Paris like a child, everything fresh and all expectations set to be met were all that I set for myself. You know how it is when you watch a movie made from your favorite book? I never had that point of comparison.

But then I felt some regret while reading the book and realized I missed to visit some places Ernest has mentioned in his story. I would have loved to walk the same streets Ernest, Scott, Gertrude and the rest of his friends walked.

Good or bad, I feel blessed to have both experienced Paris and read A Moveable Feast. And I cannot wait for the day I go back, for I agree to what Ernest has said, Paris is always worth it.

The city of Paris as seen from the top of Eiffel Tower

Seine River

Bridges, bridges, and more bridges along Seine

                                    I wonder if Ernest sat like that man along Seine too?

Loving Louvre!

Champ Elysses and Arc de Triomph, viewed from each other

                                                      The Castle of King Louis Vuitton

And of course, the Queen of them all…

Her Royal Highness- 

                                                          

                                                                    

Mekong Delta River

It was the month of August when my friend and I went to Saigon. We really didn't have any itinerary planned nor made our homework of researching before flying there, so when the lady on the front desk of the hotel we're staying at recommended to do the Mekong River tour, we immediately signed up for it.

If my memory serves me right, bus trip from Saigon to the ferry terminal was around an hour.

Weather in Saigon during this month is very unpredictable. It was like summer hot when we got to the terminal, so I advise you to buy that traditional Vietnamese hat to protect you from the sun.










I am not sure if it was due to the fact that it was raining the afternoon before our tour, but the water in the river was so brown. Rustic brown.



Or maybe the river got its color from the old vessels docked along it.



We alighted to an island where we walked around and experienced some Vietnamese local culture.







Yes, those are dead snakes right inside those bottles. And yup, I drank from it. No don't ask me how it was.











For someone like me who is from a third world country, I must say I wasn't impressed with the tour. The sights are something I see everyday in my country, far from spectacular. And the river, nothing really special. Even the food they served in the restaurant where we had our lunch was just so-so.

But that's me.

If you're looking to experience Vietnamese culture, I would still recommend you to try this out. Your eyes are far different than mine and maybe, you'll see something that I just missed out. :)