We have been planning this trip for months. What a thrill to actually be in these places we've remembered for so long. He who shall remain nameless had been in Paris in college days. It's thirty years later, and the magic is there today. For me, 1986 was the last time I was there. Our plan was to experience Europe as a married, very much in love, couple.
The last time I experienced Paris, I was thirty-nine. It was my first journey beyond the familiar borders of America. Entering France for my first time was like stepping from the plane, right into a real life French film. Suddenly, I was captivated by all the language swirling around me. France smelled different, it definitely looked different, and it felt different too. I was so impressed by this. I was a willing participant and student. Drinking in the French Experience.
The Art of Form and Structure were used in all this sculpture and architecture. Parisians were living a more graceful way of life. The Art of Living included simple thing like eating, moving, thinking and feeling. Let me at it!
The lively Seine River flows through the heart of Paris. It seems to wind like a blue ribbon. It is carrying crowds of people on the Bateaus (boats). These light up architectural marvels on the left and right banks at night. What a thrill to slip past the Tower Eiffel, then Notre Dame Cathedral, and under each unique bridge along the way. That's my memory of riding the Bateau Mouche of Paris.
We actually took that trip in the evening this time. Somehow, while moving through the crowd, I thought of how cattle might feel as they are herded through metal gates after their last meal. (I could relate.) People were relieved of their money, and expected to move forward through rows of metal gates lining up to board the boat. I watched their faces. A mixture of joy, boredom, exhaustion, drunkenness, and just plain loud and rude folks. When I took this trip in 1986, the boat was laid out in a way one could walk through openness. And on that boat, you had a chance to change the perspective, meandering through the crowd. There was simply too many people on the boat this time. The seating was made up rows of seats all facing forward. It just wasn't tripping my trigger at all.
Now that I am in my early sixties, with both knees replaced, there were subtle changes in my experience. As we took trains, buses, and the Metro throughout Paris, how I wished it would be possible to speak to Those who govern Paris. For just five minutes, I wanted to impress on them the impossibility and hardship hundreds of steps put folks through, just to climb out of the Metro. Come on guys! I have two words for you..... (1) ELEVATORS (2) (and this is the most important one...) ESCALATORS !!! You do have millions of visitors to Paris each year. Certainly you can afford escalators. My own ankles became bloody stumps throbbing with each step in protest. So how does one celebrate such achievement? I spent the entire next day in my hotel room with feet propped up. It took nearly 36 hours for the recovery to reach a place where walking in moderation would be possible. I knew that pacing how much exertion I could experience healthfully was key. (Oh the joys of travelling when one is more than slightly out of shape, facing health issues, and sliding into their Sixties, Seventies, etc.)
I learned a few Travel Tips on this trip, wanna read 'em?:
- Wearing polyester in Singapore during midday is a masochistic thing to do. Who knew it was so close to the equator?
- You might experience missing your train if you show up two minutes before departure. (ideally, they want you boarded thirty minutes before departure, in a relatively sane state, without panting or frothing at the mouth)
- People who offer directions, do not necessarily know what they are talking about. In fact, I got the distinct impression one or two of these folks got a sick kick out of watching people go in the wrong direction, luggage in tow.
- Your feet will fall off if you walk farther than you should. And no amount of pouting will actually help. Take little breaks, and consider going to places with rickshaws next time.
- It is very important to factor in extra time to compensate for the unexpected. No kidding. If you travel with someone who is usually cutting time too close; set their watch back an hour, or drop their mobile phone into "le toilette". If this doesn't work, tell them you just heard tourists are being abducted and held for ransom. Then pack, and hobble to the airport as fast a you can.
- Start keeping your own list of "Things you learn along the way." (And be sure to email it to me. I usually welcome a good laugh)
