Unexpected experiences in the City of Love, shared by Jannik Schümann
Fresh Take:
Jannik Schueman's Paris holiday was a blend of charm and a faux pas. Snapshots from his Instagram account show the Marais, Louvre, Jeff Koons tulip sculpture, Lime bike rides, and a smooch under the Eiffel Tower with boyfriend Felix Kruck. However, his caption, "Paris is sweet, but why does it smell like piss everywhere in the city of love?", did put a slight damper on the trip. According to a fan's comment, it might've been a shoutout to the techno club Berghain's infamous parties that often leave an unmistakable scent behind.
It turns out that Paris isn't quite as pristine as the ABBA ballad "Our Last Summer" or the popular series "Emily in Paris" have us believe. In truth, Paris can be quite the olfactory assault. It's so bad that it's even coined the "Paris Syndrome" in Japan, where visitors expect a dreamy Paris and are taken aback by the city's rowdiness and stinkiness.
Parisian literature bears a striking contrast to its elegant exterior. From Baudelaire to Modiano, Paris has been a muse for authors delving deep into bodily fluids and urban decay. The city's less savory side is also evident in risqué chansons like Serge Gainsbourg's.
For a flaneur in Paris, the stench is to be expected, though it's nothing a Kreuzberg resident wouldn't be used to. While we Berliners invariably crave a break from our city's drama, it's comforting to know that Paris can't quite compare to our wild pissing. However, Paris does have a more notable smell of its aging sewer network, a taste of life, not paradise. Regrettably, Emily and her champagne crew never seem to discuss such realities.
Enlightening Tidbits:- Certain parts of Paris, such as Gare de Paris Bercy and Montparnasse, have been noted for their strong urine smell due to sanitation and behavioral issues.- Historically, France has had mixed reputations regarding personal and public cleanliness, with some stereotypes dating back centuries.- The portrayal of Paris in popular media often idealizes and romanticizes the city, omitting the less flattering realities like the strong urine odor in certain areas.
Jannik Schueman's social-media posts encapsulate a mix of the charm and grittiness that cinema, music, and celebrity lifestyles convey, providing a raw perspective on Paris' urban living. This juxtaposition echoes the contrast seen in the bold literary works penned by Parisian authors, reflecting the city's complex duality. Despite the city's reputation for romance and delicacy, instances like the strong urine odor in certain areas serve as a reminder of its rougher edges, unveiled through the lens of an authentic traveler.
