We’ve had a wonderful week with Sara and Marty, though mostly Sara. Marty talks too much. Our friends were headed to Paris, and suggested we join them. Lisa said we really should go. Moreover, she was in need of some retail therapy. What about the secretary we just bought??
She reminded me,“That was two weeks ago, and besides it didn’t count.”
“Why didn’t it count?”
“Because retail therapy only works for stuff you don’t need.” Silly me, and to think I didn’t know.
I’ve never been a big city person, but I have to admit Paris is special. If it’s museums, architecture, concerts, parks or just plain people watching Paris not only has it all,but it excels in every department. It’s a city you need to visit.You’ll never wrap your arms around Paris, but if you spend enough time there you’ll feel like you’ve been enveloped in a soft warm blanket. Warning, if you go during the height of the season you’ll think that everybody and their uncle are wrapped in that blanket with you.
The railings filled with locks on both sides of this bridge testifying to the permanency of a couples relationship.
Lisa really has her finger on the Louvre.
A view down the Champs-Elysees.
When we’re in Paris we never take a taxi. We either walk or take the metro. A word to the wise, don’t even think about renting a car. As we were walking towards our next unknown destination, because strolling is what you do in Paris, Lisa kept on stopping and pointing at the buildings. “Look how incredible they are. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”
A nice sculpture in the park.
My next Peugeot.
We had dinner at one of Hemingway’s hangouts.
I thought this guy was a statue at first! Street performers here are just better I guess.
Around every corner there was one magnificent structure after another. As I gazed into an azure blue sky highlighted by cotton candy clouds I began to realize how comfortable I had become in this foreign land. I’m still not fluent, but I speak enough French that I can get my message across. Though understanding the reply can be a problem. The culture is so different, and yet I’m growing to like it. I’m not saying it’s better or worse, or that I even understand it. All I’m saying is that it’s different, and I enjoy the change. This from a man that at one time refused to buy French wine.
Paris on a sunny Fall day.
Eventually I realized that not only was I becoming more comfortable with the people and culture of France, but that this very foreign place was becoming my second home. When we land at Charles de Gaulle Airport the weight of my everyday problems are lifted. I’m able to drop my guard a little more. I can relax. Here is where everything goes back to normal. Life becomes easier. That’s the feeling I have whenever I return to this magical country.
One of many fountains.
-Tom Miller
Author of “The Wave” – a Chuck Palmer Adventure novel
JAN
About the Author:
Tom Miller graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He is a consummate adventurer with over 1,000 dives as a recreational scuba diver, and an avid sailor who has traveled 65,000 miles throughout the Pacific including the Hawaiian Islands. Miller has also cruised the canals of Europe on his canal barge and given numerous lectures on cruising the canals of Europe, as well as sailing in the South Pacific. Piloting is also an interest of Miller's, and He has completed over 1,000 hours flying everything from small Cessnas to Lear jets.