Paris, France: First Impressions Don't Matter Much

Where to begin with the New York City of Europe?

The first time I ever set foot in Manhattan, it was stepping out of the subway station at 59th and Lexington. On a Sunday afternoon, the vibrancy was real. I can close my eyes and still feel that energy today, more than 10 years after the fact. While New York is hardly my favorite city, you can’t deny its place as one of the great cities in the world.

I was expecting all that and more when I stepped out of the subway station and hit ground level for the first time in Paris. All that and more because every European city I’ve been to over the last three years has—for the most part—exceeded expectations on its own and certainly relative to their domestic counterparts. Plus, this is fucking Paris.

So, when I experienced this—even though it’s pretty cool—I was underwhelmed.

That was my first impression. As you’ll see in another video or two and a whole bunch of photos alongside a slew of observations, Paris didn’t disappoint. Melisse and I will be back. If we’re lucky, for extended periods.