Paris is in the details

I live in a city of views; with 42 hills, San Francisco boasts a vista at almost every turn. Some views are popular and well-known, like the breathtaking view atop twin peaks. Others are hidden and little-known, like the view at the top of my very street - at the intersection of Lisbon and France in the Excelsior. It's also breathtaking, but quietly so.

Paris has views too. My favorite, at the top of the Arc de Triomphe, is spectacular. You can see how the streets all fan out from that one location; you feel like you're at the center of everything.

But this is not how you get to know Paris. The soul of Paris is in the details, and the details get lost in the views. It’s best to appreciate the city by walking down the narrow, cobblestone streets, and seeing the intricate stone facades of the many historic buildings. It's best to get a little lost, and find yourself at the door of a charming cafe, or vibrant little bar. It's best to warm yourself over a cup of coffee and watch as the obnoxiously attractive and well-dressed city-goers pass you by. Some will stop and come into the cafe to warm themselves as well, and take a pause. Paris is a city that tells you to take a pause. It's necessary to take a pause to appreciate the details.