V i v i a n S o n g

The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower

[viviansong]

For @viceworldnews I wrote a feature examining anti-Asian hate in Europe, and how its colonial past in Asia (think the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Macau...) and post-war histories have led us to this point, where the hate has become visceral and violent. Though some things are nearly universal (turns out variations of "ching chong chang" are as common in Canada and the US as it is here) Asians in Europe face very distinct and unique challenges that make gaslighting a regular occurrence. Writing and reporting this piece meant a lot to me. Grateful to have it out in the world. Link in bio @nextshark @stopasianhate @asianvoiceseurope @asian.raisins @ajcf_fr @asiatiquesdefrance @collectifasiatiqueantiraciste @stop_asiaphobie @racisme_antiasiatique @nbcasianamerica @asiangermany #stopasianhate #stopasianhatecrimes #stopasianracism #aapi #asiansforblacklives #asiandiaspora (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN7dLBLBMJb/?igshid=o98lcckngfa8

[viviansong]

Many of you may not know this, but long before moving to Paris, where I am now a freelance journalist, and before I was a general assignment news reporter in Toronto, Canada, I was a #flightattendant attendant for Canada’s flagship carrier @aircanada . After the service was done, during my down time I would make a point to read every new issue of the in-flight magazine @enroutemag cover to cover. At the time, I was in my early 20s and thought becoming a journalist was a pipe dream, far from my reach. But life has a funny way of going full circle. My debut contribution to @enroutemag is a particularly sentimental milestone for me, as it ties my past as a young, aimless, travel-loving flight attendant who harboured big, seemingly impossible, unattainable dreams, to the more grounded but no less ambitious person I am now. It took a lot of hard work and patience (which I notoriously possess little of, still working on that) to build a new life here in Paris. To see this latest chapter collide so elegantly and beautifully with my former life is nothing short of amazing. I have much to be grateful for. While shooting photos for this piece (I’m particularly proud of the photos as I’m also working hard to teach myself how to take better photos) I was able to summon some of the first fluttery feelings one has when they first visit the French capital—a heady mix of awe, inspiration and appreciation for the city’s beauty. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve experienced any one of these. To see all the photos and read my piece, link is in bio. . . . #parisjetaime #parismaville #igersparis #parisienne #parisianlife #parisfrance #parismonamour #parisgram #pariscartepostale #parisian #parislife #parisfrance #visitparis #visitfrance #파리지앵 #파리 #파리여행 #파리일상 #파리스냅 #파리#eiffeltower #toureiffel #spring2021 #springtime #springishere #magnolia #magnolias #springblossoms #springblooms #springinparis #parisinthespringtime (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNwviLlhh36/?igshid=8xn3pcs70yu7

[viviansong]

Spring. Finally. #parisjetaime #parismaville #parisienne #parisianlife #leprintempsarrive #springiscoming #magnolias #jardindestuileries #igersparis #igparis #pariscartepostale #parismonamour #파리일상 #파리 #파리스냅 #파리지앵 #파리여행 #파리 (at Jardin des Tuileries) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMr-hPihBK_/?igshid=tunik3rl0gki

[viviansong]

For @nytimes and @nytimesfashion, I wrote about South Korean YouTubers who have carved out a genre of aspirational videos you could call Hygge meets Marie Kondo: content that prescribes minimalism and reveals the joy of quiet domesticity, especially pertinent now, with households around the world on lockdown. Vlogs by creators like @haegreendal @nyangsoop @sueddu @hami.mommy are artfully composed, with calming background music, soft-focus filters and sentimental captions set to images of plants being watered, clean pajamas being folded, and an ASMR soundtrack of meat sizzling in a pan and vegetables being diced on a wooden cutting board. Other defining characteristics of these silent vlogs? Beautiful, cinematic photography and filming with little to no talking and concealed faces ie. no annoyingly brash and loud influencers bragging about their luxury hauls and hamming it up for the camera. As much as I love going for long aimless strolls in Paris with my camera, I have never had any problems "cocooning" as they say in French, and living my best homebody life — and this was true of my lifestyle before the pandemic as well. There is no shame in being a homebody. I’m past the point of caring about FOMO. I love my alone time and I do it very well. After years of fangirling over these vloggers and this type of content from South Korea, I was finally able to write about them. Though I’ve learned quite a few homemaking tips, I watch them now more for personal enjoyment and for their cinematic value. Thinking of filming my own version, amateur though I am, with Paris as my backdrop. What do you think? Thoughts? . #nytimesstyle #집수니 #집밥 #집꾸미기 #vlogger #koreanvlog #koreanvlogger #lifestyleinfluencer #cleaning #cleaninghacks #cleaningtips #집돌이 @sueddufans @sangmi.like https://www.instagram.com/p/CLUJ7DIhVUt/?igshid=166wxic6l62g

[viviansong]

One of the most magical places in Paris at Christmas is @galerieslafayette. Every year their fairies dream up some of the most whimsical and fantastical holiday trees. This year was no exception, despite the shiteous year and frequent closures. It doesn’t feel much like Christmas for me this year but I can still appreciate its beauty. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all, wherever you may be. . . . #parisienne #parisjetaime #parismaville #parisgram #parisestmagique #christmastree #parisianlife #igersparis #igtravel #christmaslights #parismonamour #parisphotography #파리 #파리스냅 #파리사진 #파리일상 #파리쇼핑 #파리여행 #파리지앵 #파리스냅사진 (at Galeries Lafayette) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJODq21hTGb/?igshid=m7jg3h5ii0jf

[viviansong]

Paris is beautifully dreamy in the fall. I wrote about why I love the city most during this sepia-hued season quite a dew years ago at https://www.thestar.com/amp/life/travel/2016/09/17/why-a-canadian-living-in-paris-loves-fall-in-the-city.html. I had grand plans to shoot the city and capture the colours of the season this month until we learned we would be locked down again. So I’m going through old photos and living out fall 2020 this way. So close and yet so fahhhh (have been saying this a lot this year). . #parismaville #parisjetaime #parisjetadore #pariscartepostale #igersparis #visitparis #파리스냅사진 #파리스냅 #파리 #파리일상 #파리여행 #파리지앵 #parismood #parisvibes #parisienne #parismonamour #parisgram #hello_france #parisphotographer #parisestmagique #parisphotography #parisian (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHnIH5OBcwH/?igshid=ftxfwwblzhp0

[viviansong]

I miss Paris. I live here. But I miss it. I miss my long, 20,000-step walks around the city. I miss pastry window shopping. I miss stopping mid-track because I’ve spotted a beautiful, poetic photo opp — something that still happens regularly even after 10 years of living here. I miss people watching from the outdoor terrace of a cafe or a park bench, and playing a mental guessing game of what they do, who they are, where they come from. I miss stumbling upon an alley or neighborhood I’d never beheld before (by now I feel like I know the city well, but it still happens). Though we’re only in the beginning of our second lockdown here in France, truth be told, I haven’t gone out much or strayed far from my neighborhood far from the city centre since the outbreak first began earlier this year. So this longing for Paris predates the lockdowns. And friends, I am normally a master flâneur, as they say, with very good stamina. For now, our walks are restricted to within 1 km of our home, and with a time limit of one hour. Grateful that the parks remain open this time round. To my new followers, thank you for swinging by:) I’m not great at this thing called social media, but aim to share moments and photos of Paris, and my random, blabberings, when inspired. My portfolio and a little more about me can be found at viviansong.com. #parisjetaime #parisjetadore #parisienne #parismaville #parisianlife #parispostcard #igersparis #igparis #igersfrance #parismood #parismonamour #parisphoto #parisgram #pariscartepostale #parisphotographer #parisestmagique #toureiffel #eiffeltowerview #eiffeltower #architecturephotography #parisphotography #parislife https://www.instagram.com/p/CHCzUQAhcLT/?igshid=1fes9l50f7di8

[viviansong]

#jardindupalaisroyal #parisjetaime #parismaville #igersparis #igparis #parisgram #parisianvibes #parisphotography #parisphotographer #parislife #parisian #parismonamour #parisienne #parisvibes #thisisparis #parisgarden (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC8H52PIhdX/?igshid=1ipjdcwh4zqqb

[viviansong]

#laseine #parisjetaime #parismaville #igersparis #igparis #parisianvibes #parismood #parisphotography #parisphotographer #parisvibes #parislife #parisgram #parismonamour #parislife #parisienne (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3YkmDoyYM/?igshid=t3ciqs522jj1

[viviansong]

Any @bts.bighitofficial fans out there? For @byshondaland I explained why @bts.bighitofficial owes much of their success to Black fans, delved deeper into the significance of their $ 1 million donation to @blklivesmatter and the deep allyship between the South Korean phenom and Black Army #happyarmyday #blackarmybts #blackarmy #btsarmy #armyday #btsarmys #blacklivesmatter https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a33250303/bts-owes-much-of-its-success-black-fans/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbq_EuIPMI/?igshid=1h8s4b25l6ldu

[viviansong]

For @smithsonianmagazine I had the chance to walk the hallowed halls of @museelouvre on the day of its reopening after a four-month closure. I wrote about the new health and safety measures that visitors will have to follow, and how the pandemic gave Parisians their Louvre back. Yes, pun intended. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/how-pandemic-giving-louvre-back-parisians-180975261/ #parisjetaime #parismaville #museumlover #louvre #traveljournalist #travelnow #travelphotography #artsandculture #parisgram #museumlife #museumvisit #igersparis #paristourisme (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYEg43IvYt/?igshid=hhso8ubulpj9

[viviansong]

In my latest piece for @robbreport, I had the chance to speak with chef @maurocolagreco about the dramatic transformation of his triple Michelin-starred @restaurantmirazur and chart-topper on the @theworlds50best list. The chef spoke candidly and openly about the personal and professional struggles he went through during the lockdown in France and how a particularly dark period would eventually lead him to reinvent the restaurant entirely. “I couldn’t imagine reopening the restaurant as it was before,” he told me. Mirazur reopened June 12. Link in bio. (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBwEiHXIlLn/?igshid=mg7wwzrvh9ws

[viviansong]

My preferred method of transportation in #paris wherever possible: le bike et les 🦶 . While Paris emerges from coronavirus hibernation, I personally am not eager to join large crowds and busy metros. Not because I fear catching the rona, but because I realized just how much I value my personal space, and how much I hate large crowds. I purposely chose a weekday to venture out to the city centre via la 🚲 and enjoyed wandering the streets sans crowds. Took advantage of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s bike plan, which expanded the city’s biking lanes and took a Velib out for a long ride. 🙏 @paris_maville #bikelife #velib #vélo #parisjetaime (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0LO9fIEzh/?igshid=qj9nghwz9nro

[viviansong]

France has been split into two zones. Those who live in the red zone will have fewer freedoms come Monday when the country emerges from the lockdown, compared to those who live in the green zone. Wild guess as to where Paris sits...While parks will reopen in the rest of France, they will remain closed in Paris for the time being. I’m pretty sure the spring tulips have come and gone by now, which is such a shame. An ode to spring’s most ‘spring-y’ flower…. #parisjetaime #parismaville #visitfrance #parisinspring #tulipsofinstagram #tulipseason #tulips #springtime #parisgarden #parisgram #parispostcard #parisphotographer #tuliplove (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_9u9PtonS2/?igshid=yjqyp3y6mytc

[viviansong]

Paris has its own Wisteria Lane. After moving to the #19earrondissement, I discovered this quiet, residential neighborhood lined with the most beautiful fragrant blooms in my favourite colour, lilac purple. Sadly, by now I’m pretty sure the flowers have withered away in the sun. These shots are from a lovely springtime stroll from last year. Note the hardworking 🐝 in the first photo. #mon19e #flowerstagram #wisteria #wisteriahysteria #wisterialane #wisteriawatch #flowersofinstagram #flowersgram #flowerslovers #flowergram #flowerporn #springblossoms #springflowers #spring2020 #springhassprung #paris19 #paris19eme #19emearrondissement #paris19 (at 75019) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_w6rJJIsoP/?igshid=7d7xnu8xa24i

[viviansong]

Once it’s safe to do so, I can’t wait to venture out of Paris and and head out to smaller villages in France. This is #colmar , a fairytale village in #Alsace, where pastel-coloured half-timber houses give the streetscapes so much life and cheeriness to the village. Counting the days....#togetherintravel #travelgram #cnntravel #cntraveler #cntraveller #travelandleisure #nytimestravel #lonelyplanet #visitfrance #travelcovid19 #travelcovid #villagelife #france_vacations #virtualtravel #alsacetourisme #alsacemylove #colmarfrance #travelcommunity #travelbook #travelwithme (at Colmar-Alsace) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_rsKO5Ic6S/?igshid=3gejtv0zta9d

[viviansong]

Can you believe, that just a few months ago this kind mundane, perfectly unremarkable behavior of sitting within arm’s length of each other in a park, brushing shoulders as you pass strangers, or dancing in the open air, cheek to cheek, would seem so dangerous and outrageous now? Obviously these are old photos. But as I was going through my digital library I was struck at what life looked like before social distancing became the term du jour. Crazy crazy times...#parisjetaime #parismaville #parisprecovid19 #travelgram #travelholic #travelcommunity #lifebeforequarantine #lifebeforecovid19 #lifebeforecorona #lifebeforecoronavirus #lifebeforesocialdistancing #lifebeforelockdown (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ViWOroDu-/?igshid=1fu5uinw8u9lc