The month of December usually puts me in a festive mood, as I prepare for the holidays with family and friends. I love seeing the lights on the trees, attending Christmas parties, and even listening to the hokey songs as I rush through the malls. It's the one time of year when traditions and comforts of home are really important to me.
I will admit that the weeks leading up to Christmas were difficult for me this year. My project in Paris was really stressful and I was working completely on my own, without any other human interaction (other than lunch).
Most of my friends thought I was crazy for complaining about an extended assignment in Paris. On the surface, I don't blame them. Paris is a beautiful city - especially during the holidays. My hotel is literally in the ideal location for exploring the city and it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. The view from my office was also enough to put even the grinch in a festive mood.
However, there was one important thing missing: warmth. I'm not talking about the heat in the building or even the weather outside. I'm talking about the feeling that the holidays should bring.
I tried listening to Christmas music on my computer as I worked. I also ventured outside the hotel as much as possible, so I could marvel at the decorations around the city and absorb the energy from people around me. After almost two months in the same place, the excitement of exploring the city had dissipated and I found myself wishing that I could enjoy my surroundings with people I care about.
Fortunately, I was completely re-energized one weekend when a good friend from my MBA program visited. Since graduating, we have managed to see each other once per year (2011 in Zurich and 2012 in London) so I was really excited to keep the tradition going. We walked through the Christmas market near the Champs Elysées, drank some mulled wine, marveled at the lights, and stopped for a traditional tourist picture in front of the Eiffel Tower.
By the time we returned to the hotel the first night, we had traversed nearly the entire city. I barely remember seeing anything because we just talked incessantly everywhere we went. As much as I wish we could see each other more often, it's so nice to know that we can always pick up right where we left off and have such a fun time together.
To be completely honest, Christmas decorations in Paris are a mixed bag. Maybe I have been to too many amazing German Christmas markets, but the one in Paris doesn't even come close. It was completely overcrowded with tourists (no surprise) and it felt like 90% of the booths just sold junk food and cheap gifts. There were very few high-quality items for sale and nothing that was really worth stuffing into my suitcase. It's probably great for kids (several rides, a big ice-skating rink, and even a santa that rides a sleigh along a cable in the sky), but the only thing that appealed to me was the spiced wine.
Even the lights along the Champs-Elysées were a disappointment, compared to what I was anticipating. All the pictures I have seen online look like this:
I will admit that the weeks leading up to Christmas were difficult for me this year. My project in Paris was really stressful and I was working completely on my own, without any other human interaction (other than lunch).
Most of my friends thought I was crazy for complaining about an extended assignment in Paris. On the surface, I don't blame them. Paris is a beautiful city - especially during the holidays. My hotel is literally in the ideal location for exploring the city and it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. The view from my office was also enough to put even the grinch in a festive mood.
 |
| Christmas lights make everything more festive |
However, there was one important thing missing: warmth. I'm not talking about the heat in the building or even the weather outside. I'm talking about the feeling that the holidays should bring.
I tried listening to Christmas music on my computer as I worked. I also ventured outside the hotel as much as possible, so I could marvel at the decorations around the city and absorb the energy from people around me. After almost two months in the same place, the excitement of exploring the city had dissipated and I found myself wishing that I could enjoy my surroundings with people I care about.
Fortunately, I was completely re-energized one weekend when a good friend from my MBA program visited. Since graduating, we have managed to see each other once per year (2011 in Zurich and 2012 in London) so I was really excited to keep the tradition going. We walked through the Christmas market near the Champs Elysées, drank some mulled wine, marveled at the lights, and stopped for a traditional tourist picture in front of the Eiffel Tower.
 |
| Enjoying an evening in Paris |
By the time we returned to the hotel the first night, we had traversed nearly the entire city. I barely remember seeing anything because we just talked incessantly everywhere we went. As much as I wish we could see each other more often, it's so nice to know that we can always pick up right where we left off and have such a fun time together.
To be completely honest, Christmas decorations in Paris are a mixed bag. Maybe I have been to too many amazing German Christmas markets, but the one in Paris doesn't even come close. It was completely overcrowded with tourists (no surprise) and it felt like 90% of the booths just sold junk food and cheap gifts. There were very few high-quality items for sale and nothing that was really worth stuffing into my suitcase. It's probably great for kids (several rides, a big ice-skating rink, and even a santa that rides a sleigh along a cable in the sky), but the only thing that appealed to me was the spiced wine.
Even the lights along the Champs-Elysées were a disappointment, compared to what I was anticipating. All the pictures I have seen online look like this:
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| This is how I imagined the christmas lights to look |
But here's the reality:
 |
| This is how the Christmas lights actually looked |
The Arc de Triomphe was right behind me in this photo and it always looks nice all lit up, but what's with the modern LED "rings"?? I want the trees to glitter with traditional lights!!
At least Place Vendôme lived up to expectations, with more Christmas trees lining the street than I could have even imagined. I was walking past La Canadienne one night and they actually had a live sheep in the display window. Ok, Paris, you win. This really is one of the best cities in the world for Christmas shopping.
I was so excited to return home that the last few days of the project passed at lightening speed. Miraculously, all my hard work started coming together and I could see many positive results. I was proud of myself for persevering through a very difficult project without any guidance and for all that I taught myself along the way.
Considering all the places I could have been stuck for almost two months, central Paris is actually one of the best alternatives. Without such beautiful surroundings, the weekend visit from my friend, and encouragement along the way from my parents, I may have actually gone insane. Fortunately, the project ended on a high note and I could not be more excited to spend two weeks at home with family and friends.
At least Place Vendôme lived up to expectations, with more Christmas trees lining the street than I could have even imagined. I was walking past La Canadienne one night and they actually had a live sheep in the display window. Ok, Paris, you win. This really is one of the best cities in the world for Christmas shopping.
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| Place Vendome, decorated for Christmas |
I was so excited to return home that the last few days of the project passed at lightening speed. Miraculously, all my hard work started coming together and I could see many positive results. I was proud of myself for persevering through a very difficult project without any guidance and for all that I taught myself along the way.
Considering all the places I could have been stuck for almost two months, central Paris is actually one of the best alternatives. Without such beautiful surroundings, the weekend visit from my friend, and encouragement along the way from my parents, I may have actually gone insane. Fortunately, the project ended on a high note and I could not be more excited to spend two weeks at home with family and friends.
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