Grace Capsule

Day: February 15, 2025

  • I Went to Paris During The Peak of Asian Hate Crime…Here’s My Review

    I Went to Paris During The Peak of Asian Hate Crime…Here’s My Review

    Paris, France

    It might be easy to assume that if I could live anywhere in the world, it would be somewhere in Asia because I’m Asian. And honestly, I would think so too. It’s comfortable and convenient from the get-go. However, after coming to France, I would choose to build a new life in Paris if I could.

    Helpful Apps

    Google Maps is accurate and helpful in France!

    Uber is commonly used and makes traveling easy although the train is common too! If you’re planning to use the railway system, make sure to purchase tickets at the counter!

    Food

    A typical meal
    Escargot
    Caviar on blinis

    Are you afraid of snails or roe? WELL GET OVER IT. These are absolute delicacies in France. It’s common to see “escargot” and “caviar” listed on menus.They do not have any strange or fishy aftertaste; in fact, the flavors are earthy and aromatic. It’s typical to find restaurants serving escargot marinated in an emerald sauce of garlic and herb. The flavor profile is so perfect that you can eat a ton without getting sick of it. Hence, if I spotted it on the menu, I always had it. As for caviar, it’s typically used as a garnish to elevate the dish; it can be found on appetizers or entrees and eaten in a variety of ways. My favorite way is to eat it on blinis with creme fraiche.

    Caviar is so delicate that anything can alter its flavor profile; that’s why a mother of pearl spoon is used to gather it from its container (otherwise using metal cutlery would alter the flavor). I t h o r o u g h l y enjoyed these dishes whilst in France and continue to enjoy them in the states because these are favorites of mine! 

    I am impressed by how scrumptious French cuisine is. They are able to elevate simple dishes with various sauces and fresh ingredients. It never feels heavy or lacking; it is absolutely divine.

       

    Activities

    To be frank, the best activity in France is to walk around the city and see what you’ll come across. There are countless times where I would aimlessly wander and stumble upon a new discovery: a consignment shop with fashionable and vintage wear; a hamburger joint nestled in a multicultural avenue; or a beautiful park that will transport you into a world of magic. Each day is a surprise that will lead anyone into a realm of expansive curiosity. However, if there are absolute “musts” that I recommend, they would be…

    1. Palace of Versailles

    Everyone has heard of the Palace of Versailles. It is iconic and contentious. There is so much history here, and it is definitely worth visiting. It can easily take up an entire day to go through the hundreds of rooms within the palace and the garden maze that is outside. It is breathtakingly beautiful and simultaneously horrific thinking about the monarchy that shunned the rest of their people which eventually led to their overthrow. To walk the halls where kings and queens stepped is a transformative experience that is an absolute must! 

    1. The Louvre

    Again, this is another famous landmark that is world-renowned. Visitors from all over the world come to the Louvre to get a glimpse of the astonishing Mona Lisa. However, the Louvre also offers so much more from impressive marble sculptures to grandiose rooms with painted ceilings. Even for those who are uninterested in art, there is something that they will marvel at! I highly recommend buying tickets in advance through their website and expecting to stay the entire day. It is unbelievably spacious with 5 floors and an outdoor area; it can feel dizzying getting through all of the exhibitions. Art lovers can easily spend 2-3 days observing and admiring each work of art. However, for the regular patron, I recommend spending an entire day! 

    1. Seine River Cruise 

    There are several options for the Seine River Cruise: a romantic, boat dinner as the sun sets or a casual mass-group tour or a personalized, private ride with family and friends. Regardless of your choice, this excursion is incredible because of the ability to see so many monuments during this ride. It’s one of the best ways to get acquainted with the city as if you’re flirting with a potential date. Rides are offered throughout the day, but I recommend riding during sunset time because if timed correctly, it’ll have the most perfect view of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. 

    Scenery

    Paris is alluring for so many reasons. It’s a cliche, but it’s so easy to get lost in this remarkable, multicultural city. There is tremendous history in all parts of the city. At Place de la Concorde stands the Luxor Obelisk, gifted by the viceroy of Egypt in the 1800s. Tuileries Garden welcomes guests with its picture-perfect landscape that looks like it sprung out of a fairytale. The Arc de Triomphe boasts Napoleon’s pride and might. Everything is so well-kept, especially given that it is a major city gaining millions of foot traffic each month. 

    Lifestyle

    I visited Paris for the first time in the summer of 2023. This was after the Covid-19 pandemic settled, and there’s been news of a lot of Asian hate crime throughout the world. This knowledge was unnerving, and I mentally prepared myself to face a lot of backlash while traveling through Europe. I tried to learn French phrases to say “stop” or “go away” thinking I’d have to use it at one point or another. However, I didn’t experience even the slightest form of racism let alone discomfort or rudeness!

    In fact, one of the main reasons that I could see myself settling in Paris is because of the lifestyle. It is totally and unequivocally, MY STYLE. The people are nonchalant, candid, and direct. Some people may be offended by their bluntness. However, I find it refreshing and comfortable. There’s no mind-games or ambiguity. What you see is what you get. They aren’t trying to be hurtful; it’s just a matter of being straightforward and honest. People who are more sensitive may not be accustomed to this culture. However, I absolutely adore it. 

    A funny story that epitomizes French culture is when I went to a Parisian cafe with my husband. When we arrived at the counter, the barista asked us what we would like. My husband was very indecisive, muttering to himself, “Should I get a vanilla latte… or should I get the mocha latte? Or maybe just an Americano?” The barista stopped him and with her heavy French accent flatly inquired, “What do you want?” She had a blank stare that peered past our souls. Immediately, my husband made a knee-jerk decision and went with any drink. This incident still makes me laugh because of how direct French people are. I found it amusing and refreshing; a place where I felt right at home. 

  • Just a Lost Asian Girl Roaming Through Italy (Milan, Florence, & Rome to be Exact)

    Just a Lost Asian Girl Roaming Through Italy (Milan, Florence, & Rome to be Exact)

    Milan, Florence, & Rome – Italy

    Italy is a country where you really want to visit ALL parts of it. It is rich with history which can be seen at every corner. It boasts some of the most beautiful architecture that’s been preserved since ancient times. In addition, its natural scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I am ITCHING to visit all corners from the Italian Alps to the Amalfi Coast. Unfortunately (but not unfortunately), for this trip, we visited Milan, Florence, and Rome!

    Helpful Apps

    Google Maps is common and accurate in Italy! It’s easy to use to get around and find things to do.

    Uber is common in Italy although traveling by bus or train is accessible too. For most buses, you can also pay directly with your credit or debit card by scanning on the payment machine when entering and leaving. Traveling by train will usually require purchasing tickets.

    Food

    I won’t beat around the bush. I will be so honest and say that Italian dishes are a bit too heavy for me… It IS delicious and filling, but I can really only handle them in smaller portions. As someone who loves cheese, I realized maybe I don’t love cheese enough because unfortunately, the cheesy pasta dishes were too much to handle. Everyday, multiple times a day, we would have pasta and pizza– or some kind of variation of each. However, as an Asian whose heart and stomach will always reside with Asian cuisine, I had to eat at least one Asian meal a day. Why? Because if I didn’t, I would actually get very cranky and not feel like myself until I had a spicy Korean soup or chilli-infused Thai noodle or some sort of fried rice. 

    With that said, it is an absolute MUST to try Italian dishes! In Rome, they are known for their carbonara pasta because they make it with water instead of milk or cream! Supposedly, this gives it a lighter flavor than other carbonara dishes (but for me, it still felt extremely heavy). 

    I also recommend the calzones which are folded pizzas! What a genius way to eat pizza comfortably as you walk around the city. Again, for me, I was able to only eat a few bites of this until I got really full and needed something else (like a spritzer) to balance out the heaviness of it. 

    Carbonara pasta made without cream or milk
    Calzones (i.e. folded pizza)

    If there is one restaurant that I highly recommend out of all places, it would be CiPasso in Rome. This restaurant is absolutely FANTASTIC! Unsurprisingly, it is also recommended by the Michelin Guide. The pasta here didn’t feel heavy and delicious appetizers were offered. I highly recommend the Truffle Crostini, which is a toasted bread with black truffle shaves on top of sheep cheese fondue, and the Lobster Linguine. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

    Activities

    Truthfully, I wish I spent more time in Italy because there is so much to see and do! We spent about 3 days in Milan, 4 days in Florence, and 5 days in Rome. However, more time in Florence and Rome would’ve been better because of the vast museums and historical sites to visit! 

    1. Millionaire Milan 

    In Milan, it is truly a shopper’s paradise. At The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping gallery, you can find luxury shops all nestled inside the elegant galleria with its iconic window ceiling. If you’re not much of a shopper, the Duomo Museum is about a block away! This museum features works from renowned artists of the Renaissance period. As a caveat, visitors must be dressed modestly (i.e., shoulders and knees covered) in order to enter the museum! Overall, when I reminisce of Milan, I am reminded of opulence and grandeur.

    2. Fabulous Florence

    In Florence, there are so many museums, cathedrals, and palazzos to visit! The museums host historical paintings and sculptures from renowned artists of the Renaissance period. For example, the Academia Gallery is where Michaelangelo’s Statue of David resides. Since these museums are so popular, I highly recommend reserving tickets in advance! Otherwise, you’ll have to wait in line which can wrap around the entire city and easily eat up 2 or more hours of your day. If you weren’t able to get your hands on the tickets, there are other options that won’t require such a long wait (as of July 2023) such as visiting extravagant palazzos! I highly recommend Palazzo Pitti which is a palace once owned by the Medici family, an extremely wealthy and powerful family during the Renaissance period. Visiting these palazzos are just as interesting as the museums!   

    3.  Revered Rome

    Rome is a place that demands awe and attention. It is home to some of the most historic sites in THE WORLD. Of course, we all know about the Pantheon, Colosseum, and Forum; however, it is a completely different experience to go and witness these landmarks in-person! To sit in the Amphitheater where millions of Romans would cheer for gladiators or stand amidst the Forum where Romans would gather to debate and philosophize, is so humbling. Every inch of Rome showcases historic significance and magnificent design. Out of all the three cities that we visited, Rome is definitely a place to spend the most amount of time with all that it has to offer.

    While in Rome, it is an absolute MUST to visit the Vatican City. Just a short distance from all of the archaeological sites, you’ll arrive at the main area where an obelisk is erected at the center. Take a moment to immerse yourself in the historicity that surrounds you; you can be mesmerized by the architecture and artwork of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. However, since these are religious sites, please keep in mind to wear conservative clothing (as in shoulders and knees should be covered).

    Scenery

    All parts of Italy are absolutely beautiful. Given its popularity across the globe, the streets are constantly busy, and it’s common to see tour buses lining the streets. It is remarkable to see how the country managed to preserve pieces of its history so well! Whether they are regular buildings or impressive landmarks, the Renaissance period imprinted its everlasting effect which can be seen today with its grandiose size, impressive columns, and intricate details.  

    One region that left a particular mark on me is Florence. In Florence, River Arno runs through the city, and every building is colorful and enchanting. Multiple bridges are connected across the river. As you wander through the city, you’ll cross these bridges multiple times a day and every time feel a need to pause and absorb the breathtaking scenery. On the outskirts of town, there are stunning vineyards that weave through hills in the most vibrant green. I highly recommend going out to these vineyards if you can– they are easily accessible by bus! We opted for the Marchesi Antinori Vineyard, and it was absolutely astounding.

    It’s hard to choose which part of Italy is the most appealing because each area has its own specialty and is incredibly beautiful in its own way. If you’re torn with where to go in Italy, I recommend asking yourself what you want to do here. If you’re looking for shopping and glamour, I recommend Milan. If you want to learn about history and art, I recommend Rome. If you prefer the beach, then perhaps you should head south to Amalfi Coast! If you want to drink wine, then there are a multitude of vineyards to choose from! 

    Lifestyle

    I thoroughly enjoyed the Italian lifestyle! Life here seemed simple and peaceful. Most people were friendly and to themselves. Another common attitude I noticed was that of “I don’t give a f*ck” which honestly, I f*cked with. When going into grocery stores, the workers were nonchalant with a hint of disinterest. I honestly liked the straightforwardness and openness of Italians because it made me feel comfortable to also be candid and unreserved.