The article reflects on an individual's journey from Paris to London, highlighting the stark contrasts between the bustling nature of major cities and Paris’ traditionally stable atmosphere. After a two-year absence, the author finds Paris transformed, with familiar places replaced by new establishments. This rekindles the sense of wonder typically reserved for first-time visitors. The narrative underscores a tension between the desirability of change in a city and the nostalgic longing for the past, portraying Paris as a living entity that continually evolves despite its reputation as a 'museum city.'
In big cities like London or New York, you expect things to change... Paris, however, has always felt smaller and more intimate.
When I left for London... I traded in my French life for scones, IPAs, and Scotch eggs. It was thrilling to be in a new city.
My brief absence was ample time for the city to change in ways I no longer recognized. It was as if I were seeing the city for the first time.
Some writers have bemoaned how Paris is a museum city. The government does go to absurd lengths to prevent too much change.
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