I was unsure what to write about Paris since I only had one day to explore the city. Not enough time to know this iconic historic city.
But some incidents kept floating in my mind. For weeks, I had been judging whether it was worth writing it as a memento of my short visit.
Later, I read an IG post from Tita, my travel guide, which posted a quote from Cesare Pavece, one of the most influential Italian writers and literary critics.
"Traveling is brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends."
Once I read the quote, I felt that something was related to my experience in Paris. Of course, our traveling was far from brutality, but I encountered some strangers who helped me in the time I most needed.
It was already dark, cold and drizzling when we finally arrived in Paris.
We boarded the bus and swarmed a cramped hotel lobby, looking for warmth. Some of us stayed outside by the door, smoking. They must have longed for that moment while sitting on the bus for hours.
More than 30 people were in our group, and it took a while to settle the check-in process. I was queuing for the elevator when I heard someone make an announcement.
"The supermarket next to our hotel is closing soon. If you want to buy something for breakfast tomorrow, you better go now."
Without wasting any time, once I put my luggage in my room, I hurriedly went back down and went to the supermarket next door.
I will confess here: I love foraging around the supermarket, especially if the supermarket is new to me.
Like Casino supermarket here, it was considered new to me and I've never been to a French supermarket.