It is not really used for local commuting around Paris, but instead for travel between cities both within France and across Europe. It is fairly inexpensive, hassle-free and very, very fast (357.2 miles per hour!)!
At first, I was very intimidated by the Metro, as it is not something that I used to from home in San Diego. And like I said in last week's article, I got lost! However, once I became more familiar with the Metro and downloaded a Metro app on my phone for guidance, it was as easy as pie!
One of my favorite things about the Metro is that service is frequent, with a train usually arriving every two to five minutes, so you never have to wait around for a long time for your ride! Pro-tip: while the Metro is generally very safe, you should always be wary of your surroundings, keep your bags or valuable objects in front of you and in your line of sight and never in pockets that are easily accessible! While you are very unlikely to be threatened, pickpocketing is common and especially inconvenient when you have to replace your belongings so far away from home!
An accessible and functional public transportation system can be described as the glue that binds all of the different people and places in a city together, creating a special and close-knit community! This is especially true as public transport brings you together with all kinds of people regardless of race, socio-economic background or age, with everyone getting around the city in the same way!
