Friday, April 5, 2013

I Would Rather Be In Paris



At any given moment, on any given day, it is pretty safe to say, "I'd rather be in Paris." I have been in love with Paris my whole life. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it was reading Madeline books when I was a child. Or my love of French food and pastry. Or the iconic Eiffel Tower. Who knows? I just am.

I was raised in the Midwest, before there were personal computers or mobile phones. We had one telephone in the kitchen tethered to the wall by a curly cord. It stretched all the way into the garage from over-use to allow for private phone conversations.

I remember when we got our first color television set to replace the one with the black and white picture. There were only a few channels. It did not really matter, since my sister and I were not allowed to watch much. Instead, we read everything we could get our hands on. We would visit the library and bring home as many books as we were allowed.

My sister was a big fan of mysteries like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. She still is. I was drawn to adventure stories about far off places, especially Paris. I always dreamed of where I would go while swinging on our swing set in the backyard watching the Monarch butterflies flutter between milkweed plants and the dandelion seeds float on the breeze in the field behind our home. Lost in my thoughts, I would swing higher and higher until the swing set frame would start thumping out of the ground.


When my children were young we spent hours reading together. They, too, often chose books about grand adventures. They inherited the travel bug. Longing to take them abroad, five years ago we went to Europe for their first visit. We had a wonderful time exploring France, Italy, and England. We have been chomping at the bit to return ever since.

In February Addison left for Poland to begin his European journey studying architecture, (which I am getting tired of reading is the worst major to be currently pursuing). In any case, he is enjoying the whole experience - the people, the country, the food and, oh yes, school.

Off to Poland

Maddie and I are going to meet him this summer.  We are so excited! Together we will visit Warsaw, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Venice,  Porec, (Croatia) and, of course, Paris. Dear readers I need your help. If you have thoughts or suggestions on these locations or any places you enjoy in Europe please do tell. Thanks!

One last look...


No comments:

Post a Comment