“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man [or woman], then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast” –Ernest Hemingway
The last month has gone by unreasonably fast; I feel like I just arrived in Paris and now, after almost three months here, I’m packing up the last of my things before I head out into the rainy night to catch a bus to a train to the airport.
When Jayme left Paris he left me a little disenchanted with the city. The boys were still a handful and picnics in the park and sightseeing lost a bit of their wonder without a companion to share them with. Somehow working, a daily run along the seine, and trips into the city made the time fly by. I spent as much time with Kim and the friends I made in Versailles as I could; they usually had something fun planned and it gave me a chance to really work on my French. I was always impressed by how much they knew not just about their own country (social systems, government, current events, etc.) but about most others as well. It was fun to talk about the election and to learn about France’s history from people who were obviously well-educated and quite opinionated about it all.
A few weeks after Jayme left Brittany brought her friend Jody from Italy and they stayed with me so we got to do a little sightseeing and crêpe-tasting. My work schedule kept me from spending as much time with them as I wanted to but we were still able to meet up at the Sacré-Cœur, art hunt on Montmartre, and see the Moulin Rouge at night in all its flashy glory. We also spent a day inside the Louvre (even thought that doesn’t begin to cover it) where we weaved our way through the crowds of people to see the Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa. It was a quick visit but, as usual, it was nice to have travel buddies especially someone who I’d become so close with.
Having most of the day off allowed me sufficient time to take advantage of the city. I caught Herbie Hancock at an outdoor concert at La Défense, took a scooter-ride tour of the city with Olivier, saw Sex and the City the movie dubbed in French, and spent about three days at the Indian Consulate trying desperately to get my tourist visa. I also did a lot of writing and read a few books on my list.
The boys left for summer break a few days before I was set to leave so I said a regretful goodbye and have spent my last few days tying up loose ends. My Indian tourist visa ordeal had caused me to delay my flight by a few days and although it was a fairly unpleasant situation (at one point the airline was telling me that the only flight available was a month later) it was actually a blessing in disguise giving me time to wrap things up and say all my goodbyes; to make sure I had taken everything from this experiences that I wanted to have taken.
Although it was trying at times, I have lived and loved in Paris…in the springtime, and I will carry that with me always.
The last month has gone by unreasonably fast; I feel like I just arrived in Paris and now, after almost three months here, I’m packing up the last of my things before I head out into the rainy night to catch a bus to a train to the airport.
When Jayme left Paris he left me a little disenchanted with the city. The boys were still a handful and picnics in the park and sightseeing lost a bit of their wonder without a companion to share them with. Somehow working, a daily run along the seine, and trips into the city made the time fly by. I spent as much time with Kim and the friends I made in Versailles as I could; they usually had something fun planned and it gave me a chance to really work on my French. I was always impressed by how much they knew not just about their own country (social systems, government, current events, etc.) but about most others as well. It was fun to talk about the election and to learn about France’s history from people who were obviously well-educated and quite opinionated about it all.
A few weeks after Jayme left Brittany brought her friend Jody from Italy and they stayed with me so we got to do a little sightseeing and crêpe-tasting. My work schedule kept me from spending as much time with them as I wanted to but we were still able to meet up at the Sacré-Cœur, art hunt on Montmartre, and see the Moulin Rouge at night in all its flashy glory. We also spent a day inside the Louvre (even thought that doesn’t begin to cover it) where we weaved our way through the crowds of people to see the Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa. It was a quick visit but, as usual, it was nice to have travel buddies especially someone who I’d become so close with.Having most of the day off allowed me sufficient time to take advantage of the city. I caught Herbie Hancock at an outdoor concert at La Défense, took a scooter-ride tour of the city with Olivier, saw Sex and the City the movie dubbed in French, and spent about three days at the Indian Consulate trying desperately to get my tourist visa. I also did a lot of writing and read a few books on my list.
The boys left for summer break a few days before I was set to leave so I said a regretful goodbye and have spent my last few days tying up loose ends. My Indian tourist visa ordeal had caused me to delay my flight by a few days and although it was a fairly unpleasant situation (at one point the airline was telling me that the only flight available was a month later) it was actually a blessing in disguise giving me time to wrap things up and say all my goodbyes; to make sure I had taken everything from this experiences that I wanted to have taken.Although it was trying at times, I have lived and loved in Paris…in the springtime, and I will carry that with me always.
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