I got into town and had a lovely dinner with Beth, another new Backroads leader, and then we wandered down to a party at her friend's house. I've been wishing lately that I had a smaller camera. I LOVE MY CAMERA, buuuuuuut...sometimes she's just a little bulky and people give you funny looks when you pull out this massive lens to shoot an average picture. Anyway, I didn't have it with me and regret it still. Her friend is an expat and the apartment was gorgeous. Surprisingly, no one spoke french. They are capable, but chose english. Likely because I was not the only one from another country so english was what ties us all together. Commonality. There were several other Americans, one lady from Germany, one from Holland, two people from Morrocco, and one from Argentina. You would think that would be an amazing cultural mix full of great conversation, but it was fairly bland small talk about 85% of the time. Sorry...but it's true. Ah...the corporate influence. It just makes everything a little less exciting.
HOWEVER, there was a rooftop terrace. It had a view of the entire city. The Tour Eiffel, Sacre Coeur, Place de la Republique and the Pantheon each well lit and marking the four directions of the city from where we were: smack dab in the middle. It was breathtaking to look out and see that the city isn't actually all that big. Then I mentally zoomed in even closer looked at my immediate surroundings: the tin rooftops were glistening with the moonlight and misty rain and the clay chimneys were dry in contrast. The lines and texture and feel are ingrained in my mind forever. And THAT is why I regret not taking my camera.
It was cold in color and composition but somehow still conveyed warmth and romance. In that moment of observation I determined that I love Paris. I get it. Everyone talks about how amazing Paris is and I think I was subsequently thinking it may be overrated, but it is NOT. They are right.
When you look around you can just feel the history and the romance. You can sit at a cafe on the street and just watch the people go by for hours. I love the public affection. To those people there is nothing in the world except the person directly in front of them. That is passion! Living in the moment! Impressive. It makes you want to walk the streets hand in hand with the person you love the most, more than anywhere else I've been.
Sunday was a bit chilly and rainy, but I still took my whirlwind tour. I followed my not-to-scale map around town on the tourist trap circuit, briefly looking at each monument, building and museum so I could check it off the list. I was a real American experience. I know that sometimes 2 seconds somewhere is better than not seeing it at all, but I still enjoyed my cafe on the corner much more than buzzing in and out of places where you could and should spend days. Next time I'll plan more than a morning to see Paris. A real visit to the city of love.
Want to see some more of my first impressions? Click here!
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