Traveling home
The day was long, and everyone was exhausted.
On our second day in Paris, the city of light and love, we sailed along the iconic Seine River.
The journey began at the foot of the Eiffel Tower where I grabbed a cappuccino before the ride — a drink found as commonly as a soda in the U.S. My classmates and I joined the long line of tourists waiting for the Bateaux Parisiens cruise line, most of us anxiously awaiting a break from walking more than anything.
Our tour guide, Valerie Walker, suggested that we sit on the left side of the two-story boat. “That’s the good side,” she joked in a thick French accent.
She noted that the Seine River is France’s second-longest river extending over 485 miles. The river has been the subject of many famous impressionist paintings including George Seurat’s pointillisms and Claude Monet’s oil paint stylings.
The line moved quickly, and soon enough we stepped off land and onto the ferry. It was easy to see why inspiration struck even the most famous artistic minds. The calm waters made for a stark contrast against the bustling intercity streets.
As I took my seat and began to take it all in, the tour guide spoke up in French, English, and Spanish to tell his passengers that the guided tour is available in 14 different languages. I was floored by the diversity on the boat and the crew’s inclusivity, which assured everyone a smooth and informative experience.
The boat departed from the dock, and the rumble of excited voices grew louder. We were seeing Paris from an entirely different point of view, gliding under one bridge to another with a clear view of the most famed monuments like the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Invalides.
Children on board cheered and yelped as we passed under each of the 37 bridges along the Seine, the noise echoing throughout the tunnels. People on top of the bridges waved feverishly as we disappeared under their feet.
As we cruised through centuries of history, I stepped outside to get a better view from the ledge. The cool wind caressed my face just as the waters of the Seine weaved through the city intoxicated by love.
The hour-long tour was coming to a close when the tour guide had one last takeaway to add: “Paris is not only a city, but the embodiment of a nation.”
It’s true. Paris, like many of us, has experienced periods of ascension, maturity, decay, and triumph. The illustrious past of France lives in the 20 Parisian districts of Paris. In its people, in its architecture, and, of course, in the Seine.