This is it. The final day of our trip and one final Paris post.
Our flight doesn’t leave until 3 pm and our bags are mostly packed and so we will still have the morning to take a walk around the neighbourhood and have a café crème at our favourite place at the end of our block.
Yesterday, when I was at the museum, I was thinking about what stood out as the most special part of our last two weeks here. The food we ate, the bakeries and museums and parks and landmarks we visited were all delicious/inspiring/amazing. The relaxed pace, the lovely apartment and the ease that my Mom and I have with each other also made for very happy days.
But the very best thing about our trip to Paris was just that we had plenty of time. The gift of two full weeks. To spend with each other and do what we wanted and talk and laugh and plan our days. Time to sit in a café in the afternoon having a glass of rosé and watch the world walk by. Time to talk long, long walks and think about the past and present and plan for the future.
Now I just need to figure out a way to inject a little bit of that spirit and space and time into my daily life at home. Especially when the pace gets crazy and I start to feel impatient and stretched. To find that precious time may require a less clean house or well-tended garden, it may mean less time on the computer and on the phone and a few other changes large and small.
I do have some exciting/scary news to share once I get home. (No, I am not pregnant). I am hoping that this Parisian shift in perspective is going to come in handy over the next few months…
Now, onto cramming the last few treasures into my overflowing suitcase!
I must say that I was filled with envy the entire time. Can’t wait to hear the news…
I can’t wait to see you!
… you should be almost home by now… I shall miss Paris!
Way to leave us hangin’!
just finished reading your 15 days in Paris. How lovely it all was! Loved the photos, loved it all.
So this afternoon I have done some Intentional French Paradox… a big, fresh bunch of fragrant BC Basil (which I vigorously snuffled while chiffonade-ing) a glass of Bonterra (California in terroir, but French in name..) and a local, free-range chicken leg and thigh with skin ON! roasting in the oven… all taking lots – of – time … and Putomaya French Cafe playing… can you tell I loved Paris??
I always feel the same at the end of a trip. I want to take what I’ve learned and allow it into my life, not lose it as I return to the day-to-day.