I always include the following quote in my photo albums upon returning from a trip: “The fool who traveled is better off than the wise man who stayed home.” - Rashi, an 11th-century scholar. Ahead of his time, I think.I really miss Paris and ending this blog, two months (already!) after I returned to the US, is like saying goodbye all over again. Fortunately, every day provides opportunities to relive my experiences and my memories. Both the laptop and desk top computers on my desk scroll through the thousands
of photos I took; and each time I catch a glimpse of them, it puts a smile on my face. I continually marvel about my good fortune and the opportunity I had to take this little sabbatical, shall we say…I’m still not sure why Paris “grabs” me so much but I am even more intrigued after my many trips and all the exploring I’ve done, especially during this one. I’ve always been more of a student than a “do-er” so as well as the sightseeing, I loved the reading and studying and the research I did in order to document my memories. Paris, like many, many places (obviously), has history hiding around every corner and most of it goes unnoticed by the general public. The blog became more meaningful to me because it was a great excuse to spend time as a true “student” of the city—connecting the dots. Just one example—Abelard and Heloise’s love story (2/12/07 blog); the home on Ile de la Cite with their sculptures and a plaque to their memory; their burial site at Pere Lachaise (2/13/07 blog). When I discover history like this and then see it with my own eyes, I say “ah HA!” And then I want to share it with everyone who cares to listen…
I am currently reading a series of mysteries set in Paris: “Murder in the Marais,” “Murder in the Bastille,” “Murder in Montmartre,” etc. by Cara Black. The author’s writing is getting better (in other words, I’ve read better literature) but what I really enjoy are her descriptions of the city, the streets she’s navigating, the neighborhoods, sights she’s passing—places I’ve walked by or been. More importantly, she’s reminding me of things I missed…so many places I didn’t get to and so many rues I didn’t walk along. But disappearing in these books and others is another way to relive the adventures I had…and add more things to my list for the next visit.
Soooo, that said...all good things (they say) must end. And thus ends my “This is Paris!” blog. Oscar Wilde said, “When they die, all good Americans go to Paris.” I was lucky—I got to spend time there before that “date.” And pay my respects, by the way, to Mr. Wilde—also in Pere Lachaise Cimetiere (another interesting story).
The two photos of me were taken by Suz.
