Arc de Triomphe- A Frozen Moment3 min read
Travelling to great destinations fills the heart with joy, brings about an enriching experience and broadens one’s horizon. In such travels, ever encountered disappointments that have risen out of situations beyond your control?
I just came back from a March trip to Paris and I am in love with the city more than before. I knew I was visiting towards the fag end of winter, so was fairly well equipped with the right sort of jacket and clothing (or so I thought).
Paris in March
How do I describe Paris in March? Chilly mornings, sunny afternoons and cold overcast nights. Although the weather stayed fairly clear at most times of the day, what got the better of me were the icy cold winds that seemed to seep through my clothes hitting at every bone and nerve of mine, and the drastic fluctuations in day and night temperatures. And this formed the major cause of disappointment for me on the evening I had planned to visit the Arc de Triomphe.
Reasons beyond history
Loaded with history, the Arc De Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. With a captivating architecture style it is one of the most sought after destinations in Paris. You can find its pictures flooded across websites about the city and it surely must be the most clicked structure, after the Eiffel Tower of course. I ain’t much of a history person but being a dedicated Indian tourist, for reasons quite understandable, my excitement lay in getting myself clicked in broad day light around the Arc de Triomphe.
And then came the travel disappointment
A delayed bus ride and the weather playing havoc I reached Arc de Triomphe at about 6 PM. The sky was overcast- a grey tinge enveloped all around. The chilly wind ripped through me. I checked the temperature on my mobile. At 5 deg C, Paris felt much colder with the high winds. My hand shivered as I clutched my mobile to click at least one picture that I could take back home. Despite the poor lighting and the icy weather, I managed to get a couple of them. In precisely four minutes (yes, that was how long I stood there), I retracted my steps, seeking a warmer place to be in.
I sure was disappointed and disheartened, for I barely gave the structure a detailed glance.
That being said, I did have an overall great experience otherwise in the city. Sometimes, even after all the hard work of making a perfect travel itinerary- incorporating destinations to fit into one’s budget, disappointments are inevitable. And at such times, instead of cribbing about it, why not find a suitable alternative? I sure didn’t spend much time at the Arc de Triomphe, but a cup of hot chocolate at a nearby café came as a remedy to cheer me up that evening.
In today’s times of social media and filtered photography of one’s travel, it is more about projecting the best of world exploration. Despite the disappointment, the evening would remain in my memory for long and I prefer to retain the picture I clicked at the Arc De Triomphe as it is- sans any filter.
29 Comments
Jennifer Mierisch
I thought this was so honest and lovely. Of course not everything goes to plan on trips, but on social media people tend to only post the great pictures and rave about what a fabulous time they had, and leave out the disasters (little or big).
Ramya Abhinand
Thank you for your kind words. I often feel there is a dual life that people lead- one on social media and one off it. trying to not get drawn into this vortex but be me on both places.
snapsandbits
I love Paris! Hopefully you’ll get to go back and see it the way you wish!
Ramya Abhinand
Indeed it it. hoping I get to make yet another triip to Paris!
Asha Rajan
I’m envious of your trip, despite the weather. I’m glad a hot chocolate was available nearby to warm you up.
Ramya Abhinand
Haha yes… the hot chocolate was the much needed thing. its warmth as well as the Sugar rush
Deborah Weber
One of the best and often most difficult things about traveling is that there is so much you can’t control. Sometimes it leads to happy surprises and other times not so much. I’m sorry for your disappointment, but glad you got to go anyway.
Ramya Abhinand
True that. As much as you plagn it all well, things are bound to disappoint you somehwere.
Amber Woodyard
What a bummer that it was so cold and dreary when you were there! Great little piece about your trip though! Visiting from YW.
Ramya Abhinand
Thank you Amber. A total bummer indeed.
Parul Thakur
Oh! I can feel your disappointment and you bring up a valid point. Travel pics of others are so different from what we see sometimes but then our memories and experiences are unique. That’s what you did. Made the most of what you had.
Ramya Abhinand
True Parul, The expereinces are all unique and that is what we must cherish the most
Sanch @ Sanch Writes
With the wind chill, I can imagine just how cold it would be! It’s still a lovely picture but in the end, the memories are probably what mean the most! I have been enjoying your travel pictures on Instagram
Ramya Abhinand
Thank yo Sanchie.. The winds totally threw my plans off. I couldt stay out for long.
Rajlakshmi
Traveling in shivering cold is never fun. But I love your attitude. If not the structure, atleast you got to spend a nice evening with hot chocolate. Traveling comes with its own excitement and disappointment. As a blogger we should be truthful rather than giving in to the hype.
Ramya Abhinand
True Raj, As bloggers we must bring in that element of honesty in sharing our experiences.
Kirsten Britt Baltz
Sounds like a really great, disappointing experience. At least you got to go. I am curious though, as someone who is not well antiquated with European slang, what does “the fag end of winter” mean? I could never use that word in a casual sentence.
Ramya Abhinand
Yup indeed it turned out to be a disappointment. Fag end of winter or Winters fag end denotes the last and worn out bit of the season.
writershilpa
PARIS!!! Lucky you, Ramya! So what if it was cold? You made the best of your stay there and enjoyed those moments, right? That’s taking things in the right spirit, girl! <3
Ramya Abhinand
Thank you Shilpa.. Did try to make the best of it!
Kaddu
Oh, you got this pic while your hands were shivering? Amazing yaar! :O
Looking forward to interacting more with you this month!
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Find my post for today @ Acceptance Is the Key to Happiness
eshachaks
Interesting… We hardly ever talk about thr disappointments but these can be great poinrees for other travellers
Ramya Abhinand
Thank you Esha
lindamaycurry
As you say, it is often the unexpected things that make a moment memorable. My experience of the Arc de Triomphe was that it was closed because of a strike and I couldn’t go inside and to the top. There were so many other good things going on I didn’t mind too much.
aditi
Some working tips for the travellers. Thanks for sharing your experience:)
Ramya Abhinand
Thank you Aditi
shravmusings
Paris is always my favorite city
Shalzz
Super cool(pun intended), Ramya! You’re pics on Instagram were a treat for sure! As much as I want to go to Europe, I’ve never heard of this structure. Bleh! I’m sure, i will be able to get a better insight through your posts this April. Happy A to Z 🙂
Ramya Abhinand
Thank you Shalini… It sre was super cool. And dont worry, I hadnt heard of it either before I started out on my planning :))