Paris

Why is it my favorite city?  Why is it that when my plane touches down in this city, I cry?  Why is it that when I leave this city, I cry?  Why is it that if I don't come to visit every time I come to France, I feel as though something is missing?  The beauty of the buildings still takes my breath away.  I love the windows, the arches, the fountains, the gardens, the river and the parks.  I could walk all day in Paris and never get tired.  I love the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and all the cafes--I love the chairs and I love the flowers.  Everything about this city is wonderful to me.  Oh, I've heard all the stories--that the French are rude, etc.  But, I haven't found this to be true.  I love the French people.  They have always been kind to me and have loved sharing their love of Paris with me.  Maybe the saying is true--what goes around comes around.  They know I love Paris, so in turn, they love me!

I will miss Paris when I leave.  So, I've already started planning our next vacation.  I'm thinking the south of France next year.  And, whether this ever comes to pass or not, I still love to plan.  Traveling is so exciting to me.  It challenges me to look outside of my own little selfish world and see the way others live.  It certainly makes me appreciate my own home and life and all that I've been blessed with.

This trip was especially fun for us.  We have friends from Brussels who were able to come over for a day and sight see with us.  We shopped, ate, rode the metro, went to a museum, talked and laughed.  It made Paris even that much more fun.

We returned home last night.  I remembered this just now--on the plane from Italy to Paris there was a little girl sitting next to us, she was about 3 years old and speaking French.  She was adorable.  I thought of my own grandchildren and wondered if others think that they are adorable when they see them.  Do they get teary eyed like I do and think of their own children or grandchildren?  I miss my family so much--we were gone 2 weeks.  However, even after returning home I won't get to see them for a while.  They don't live near me.  It makes going home different now.  Going home means going to my new house and then seeing my dog, whom I love.  But, I won't be seeing my children and grandchildren for a few more weeks.  It's sad.  I hope that makes sense.  I used to love going home after a trip and now it's--well, hard.  I have no friends or family at my new home.  However, I was eager to get home anyway, I must confess.  I do miss my bed and all my things and American television, etc.  I know that I will have to see my children and grandchildren soon though.  It's been too long!  Also, I have purchased little goodies for my grandkids.  French goodies!  I hope they like them.
I sure enjoyed buying them...