Dear Paris: A Photo Essay and A Love Letter for the City of Light

Dear Paris,

I have loved you ever since I was 10 - the first time I ever laid my eyes on you.

I was too young to know where you are exactly or how many miles you are from my little town. But, I promised myself that one day, I will be staring at your famed Iron Lady not just in my world atlas book but in real life.

I loved you more when I turned 18, when I embraced the fact that I'm a hopeless romantic and then I came to know that you are the most romantic city in the whole world.

I loved you even more when I was 25, when I set foot in the Middle East and realized that you are halfway closer.

And I loved you the most when I turned 34, when I finally got to fulfill my long time wish of being IN you.

I love your beauty in sunrise...

...and your glow in sunset.

I love your chilly autumn breeze...

...and your ways to keep me warm.

I love walking in your charming streets...

...and in your grand avenues.

Your public transportation system is crazy, but I learned to love it eventually.

I love your cheap street food...

...and your expensive haute cuisine.

I love your people... the way they speak and the way they dress up!

Your museums are overwhelming for my non-artsy self, but I love how you slowly opened my eyes to your art and culture.

I love your Gothic-style architecture...

...and your contemporary gems.

I love your thrills... the terraces that I have to climb to see you from up above.

I love your Seine River...

...and the bridges you built over it!

I love your Eiffel Tower...

...most especially when it sparkles at night. 

Je t'aime, Paris! 

You are just what I imagined you to be...

...beautiful, romantic, delicious and somewhat crazy! 

Don't change because you are perfect!

Stay safe, s'il vous plait.

Let all the dreamers, the lovers and the wanderers out there tick you off their bucket list! 

Always,

Lady