When I was a freshman in college, I decided to study abroad in Paris for the summer. It was my first solo trip to Europe and it completely changed my life. Looking back, I think it was the trip that ignited my love for travel (at least in my adult life). Below is an excerpt from an email I sent to my parents while I was there. Just being in the city changed me in many indelible ways...
"Today, I went to The Shakespeare and Company - this amazing little old book store in the Latin Quarter. The opening scene of my favorite movie, Before Sunset, was filmed there. The whole movie is Julie Deply and Ethan Hawke walking around Paris and having an incredible meandering conversation. I've seen it so many times that I have most of it memorized!
Anyway, it was really cool to be surrounded by that many old books. It was a little crowded, but I took a lot of pictures as I weaved my way to the back where there I found very steep red staircase. I climbed up and discovered more cozy little rooms filled with shelves of tattered books. There was this one room with a corner nest bed made of blankets and throw pillows. I have heard that many famous authors, like Hemingway, have slept there. On the table there was an old typewriter with a black cat curled up next to it. The cat was so asleep that when I stroked its soft fur, it stayed very still. I'm sure it is used to the attention. I also ran my fingers over the soft spines of the books. I realized that I have constantly reached out to touch things in Paris - like the fabric of a designer dress or the corner pillar of a church. I've been so drawn to experiencing the touch sensations of Paris. I feel their power run through me.
The bookstore was unlike any other I've seen. This place had so much character with its worn green carpet and dusty artifacts scattered about. A saying over one of the door frames read, "Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise." I can see that the owners of this store open their doors to anyone with a love of books.
After I bought a few books, including "A Movable Feast" by Hemingway, which is about Paris, I walked to the nearest bridge to pass over the Seine with the intent of going back to my apartment, a shelter from the cold. As, I crossed the street, I looked up at Notre Dame and this feeling swept over me. I started to walk slower as I starred up in awe. Then I looked to my left and to my right at the Seine and I felt the tears come to my eyes. I took a seat at a bench on the bridge, still looking at the cathedral's arc-boutants (flying buttresses). And I tried so hard not to cry, but the tears fell anyways. I felt so perfectly overwhelmed by my surroundings that if I were to die that night, I would be content to have felt the way I felt in that moment. For in that moment, Paris brought forth from me all the emotions I knew were there the whole time. It gave me the greatest gift and I felt so alive and at peace.
I sat there for a half an hour, trying desperately to savor the feelings and wipe my tears so that no one would approach me and spoil it. I was so happy to be there, just me and the city, that moment. It was perfect."
Anyway, it was really cool to be surrounded by that many old books. It was a little crowded, but I took a lot of pictures as I weaved my way to the back where there I found very steep red staircase. I climbed up and discovered more cozy little rooms filled with shelves of tattered books. There was this one room with a corner nest bed made of blankets and throw pillows. I have heard that many famous authors, like Hemingway, have slept there. On the table there was an old typewriter with a black cat curled up next to it. The cat was so asleep that when I stroked its soft fur, it stayed very still. I'm sure it is used to the attention. I also ran my fingers over the soft spines of the books. I realized that I have constantly reached out to touch things in Paris - like the fabric of a designer dress or the corner pillar of a church. I've been so drawn to experiencing the touch sensations of Paris. I feel their power run through me.
The bookstore was unlike any other I've seen. This place had so much character with its worn green carpet and dusty artifacts scattered about. A saying over one of the door frames read, "Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise." I can see that the owners of this store open their doors to anyone with a love of books.
After I bought a few books, including "A Movable Feast" by Hemingway, which is about Paris, I walked to the nearest bridge to pass over the Seine with the intent of going back to my apartment, a shelter from the cold. As, I crossed the street, I looked up at Notre Dame and this feeling swept over me. I started to walk slower as I starred up in awe. Then I looked to my left and to my right at the Seine and I felt the tears come to my eyes. I took a seat at a bench on the bridge, still looking at the cathedral's arc-boutants (flying buttresses). And I tried so hard not to cry, but the tears fell anyways. I felt so perfectly overwhelmed by my surroundings that if I were to die that night, I would be content to have felt the way I felt in that moment. For in that moment, Paris brought forth from me all the emotions I knew were there the whole time. It gave me the greatest gift and I felt so alive and at peace.
I sat there for a half an hour, trying desperately to savor the feelings and wipe my tears so that no one would approach me and spoil it. I was so happy to be there, just me and the city, that moment. It was perfect."
A favorite lesson from Shakespeare and Company.
This cat was so still, you'd think he was a prop.
Enjoying a stroll up to Montmartre.
The city of lights twinkling in the twilight.
I felt so alive in Paris.
Peaceful contemplation at Notre Dame.
I loved all the churches of Paris. They were so peaceful.
It wouldn't be a complete trip to Paris without an
indulgent breakfast at Les Deux Magots.
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