Welcome back to the Paris public transportation system!

I've been in the Parisian suburbs for a few days now to see family and friends, but today I need to go to Paris.

When I have the opportunity to go there, I usually do not go sightseeing but, if I would, I think I would find Paris to be a wonderful city, where there are always things to see (for a day, a week, a month), transportation is in general very efficient and widespread, and the cuisine is renowned.

But as a local, it can sometimes turn into hell, like in any big city…

Like taking public transportation during peak hours: the number of people from all over the city crossing paths like ants moving in their tunnels to go to or from work. 

Also the whole subway system is getting old, sometimes breaks down and needs to be renovated, which is a problem when there are so many people using it all the time. 

I made a beginner's mistake by reaching Châtelet Les Halles (main transport hub in Paris) during peak hours.

The number of people and the lack of personal space shocked me at first but I quickly got back into my Parisian habits and went through the crowd avoiding people like it was a game. 

When I arrived at the platform, I saw that the trains were delayed because of a commuter incident (probably someone who fainted because of the crowds or was pushed and fell in the gap between the train and platform) and also because of an act of violence (maybe someone was assaulted). The next train doesn't stop at my station but I get in anyway to get to the station just before the line splits to get closer to my destination. 

In this station where the line splits, 7 trains go by before I can get in and even then I had to stay on the stairs where it was less crowded. This train also experienced an additional 5 minutes delay because someone pulled the emergency alarm…

Even if riding it everyday is not always fun, I am always impressed by the RER A, Regional Train A (busiest line in Europe), that connects Paris from west to east, and vice versa, for more than 1 million people, and also by the transportation in Paris in general that allows more than 12 million people to reach their destination, with over 300 subway stations and 250 RER stations.