A Roundabout Like No Other

Next, the Arc de Triomphe. You haven’t seen a roundabout until you’ve seen this monument. It’s like the Parisians looked at our traffic circles back home, laughed, and said, “Hold my croissant.” Attempting to cross the road here made me wish I had brought my vuvuzela to navigate through the chaos—much more effective than a traffic light!

A Cathedral That Almost Got ‘Braaied’

Then, off to Notre-Dame. And no, it’s not what happens when your rugby team prays for a win; it’s a cathedral. Last I checked, it was under renovation, probably trying to add a proper thatch roof or something. It was heart-wrenching to see scaffolding where there should have been spires—like seeing your rugby team without their Springbok jerseys.

Where Art Meets ‘Artjies’

Finally, the Louvre. This isn’t just a museum; it’s a challenge. It’s huge, and filled with so much art that even the ‘artjies’ back home would be impressed. I spent hours looking for the Mona Lisa, only to find her smirking at me as if she knew a shortcut I didn’t. And let’s be honest, she’s smaller than a postage stamp—if you blinked, you’d miss her amidst the flash photography.

In the end, Paris proved to be everything it was cracked up to be and then some. For every moment of awe at its majestic beauty, there was a chuckle about how these grand sights would play back in the local pub in SA. Paris, you were magnificent, hilarious, and yes, you would fit right in with a braai and some good company back home.