The Symphony of Paris: Gardens, Musicians, and Everyday Encounters

By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Babylangues, Paris, France

I love leaving early to take the subway when it is less crowded. The difference that five minutes can make! Just by arriving one minute later, I could have been shoved onto the train and suffocated by heavy coats and mixed odors.

As I often arrive early to work, I love taking morning walks in Place des Vosges, the one in front of Victor Hugo’s house, on chilly mornings. The park is often empty, with only a few people rushing through to get to their destinations. In just about ten minutes, one can walk around the garden and savor the fresh morning air.

Although mornings tend to be quiet, with the sky still dimly lit during wintertime, I love watching the various activities sparsely spread around the garden. There’s a little girl walking alongside her mother; the lady bends down to whisper something, and they both laugh. Across from me, a middle-aged man sitting on the bench with his morning newspaper is enjoying his breakfast. I saw a coffee cup and an empty paper bag lying beside him. As I made my way to the gate, a big family with two little boys swarmed in with their two puppies. The boys were excited on their morning walk; they swirled and jumped around to embrace the new day.

Even though I take the same lines to work every day, each day seems to bring a different encounter. As I slowly ascend from the elevator, sometimes I’m greeted by a beautiful pink and purple sky that only appeared in dreams, while other times I’m drenched in heavy droplets of rain under a grey and grim sky.

Sometimes it’s clear and blue, with the only movements being the swirls of birds chasing the winds that hurry by. Most of the time, the sky is grey, covering the city in a foggy haze. Still refreshing, of course, but it reminds you that this is just another ordinary day when you don’t expect much to happen, yet hope for a few surprises.

I enjoy the mornings, even just being in the streets for ten minutes. Despite being in one of the busiest areas in Paris, it is always calmer in the morning. I have time to collect my thoughts and prepare for the hours sitting in the office, surrounded by routine work and unexpected issues. Of course, it brings an entirely different rhythm to life as a student. However, the juxtaposition of work demands and precious personal moments deepens my gratitude for private time, enriching my sense of fulfillment and happiness.

Oh! I must tell you about the accordionist in the subway. Every day on my way back home, I’m always privileged to be accompanied by the sweet music of the accordionist who stations in the tunnel between lines one and eight. However, most people walk by with their heads down or looking straight ahead, not paying much attention to the artist and the music—perhaps they have grown used to it? And yet, I have also encountered some others who start a little dance when they walk past, laughing with their friends and twirling freely in their suits and trousers. I like to look the accordionist in the eye when I walk past, whispering “merci,” and seeing him nod at me with a smile. I enjoy his music. Sometimes it’s a popular song that you can’t help but sing along to; sometimes it’s classical tunes that bring you into suspended thoughts on life and how we live. Regardless of what is being played, the music never fails to bring a smile to my face. Maybe that’s the magical power of music.

I have yet to watch the different stories and encounters that join my commute in Paris. I may not know what lies ahead, but it’s the spontaneity that thrills me.