Travel journal series: Paris 2017

This travel journal series is an effort to archive trips taken before this blog was created. Rather than trying to recall them years later, I’m transcribing, word for word, what I wrote by hand in my travel journal at the time.

April 17, 2017

We have been in Paris for three days now. Our trip started off a bit bumpy with us getting down right rude cab drivers and jet lagged. Paris is a beautiful well-kept city where you can feel the richness of the culture. The people here are proud to be French. Finding someone who is an English speaker is rare.

The people we encountered have seemed annoyed that we don’t speak French. Getting around and asking for directions has been interesting. Emily and Alex have appreciated hearing the English language randomly in the streets. I heard them speaking to themselves practicing French.

They also noted that they now understand how immigrants in America feel when they have difficulty speaking and understanding English. I sense that they miss being in America. I told them I feel the same way when I travel. I feel that travel doesn’t necessarily make you want to leave or move away from homeland, what it does is make you appreciate your circumstances, it enriches your sense of self and make you more open to whatever challenges come your way. I hope this trip encourages the girls to be open to new experiences.

April 18, 2017

Today is the anniversary of Rita’s death. She would have loved Paris specifically Luxembourg Gardens.

The French love their green spaces that allow thinking, contemplating, meditation, writing, reading and just introspection. These spaces are important. Luxembourg Gardens is in the city . The large trees drown out the cars. You really feel like you are in a peaceful enclave while in the center of the gardens. I am sitting in the gardens as I journal this.

5 Things I like about Paris and 5 Things I don’t like

Like

1. Something new to explore at every turn

2. Strong desire to hold on to French history, culture and language

3. Effortless style, sneakers with dresses, comfort over pompstance

4. Kids are part of date nights

5. Green Spaces, meditative spaces

Dislike

1. Don't like rudeness

2. Lack of Patience

3. Black Parisians don’t look happy

4. You better speak French

5. I can’t think of a 5th

April 18, 2017

We visited the Palace of Versailles today. Lesson learned - all of the tourist attractions have a ridiculously long line so book a private tour. We did just that and got a chock full of information while on tour and breezed through without standing in lines. It was great giving the girls a firsthand experience at a palace built in the 1500s.

Tonight I am sitting in a cafe near our flat drinking an amazing green jasmine tea, eating the best French bread - heavenly. Weirdly enough it feels like we’ve been in Paris for more than a week. Most vacations fly by, but this one has lingered. We fly to Barcelona, Spain tomorrow. I am looking forward to the contrast of Paris and Barcelona.

Present day reflection:

I am noticing that my real time journal entries don’t capture all the adventures we took in Paris. Looking back at pictures we did so much like going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral (before it caught on fire) took a cruise on the Seine.