I found this short passage in my journal from last year. I wrote it while on a high-speed train to Geneva. It reminded me why writing things down is important, whether it is on paper or on this blog. Experiences matter, but we might not remember unless we take the time to slow down and reflect on what’s happening to us. I hope to carry this reminder forward as a continue to collect experiences and write about them.
Two days in Paris. What can I say?
So far, it didn’t really feel like a vacation like when you have the time to day-dream and reflect… I was barely awake on Saturday and everything we did was kind of painful.
The ring at the bottom of this page is from a coffee cup I bought while on this train between Paris and Geneva. We’re making our way slowly closer towards the mountains and the landscape is getting more and more spectacular.
This highlights of Paris were: drinking a bottle of wine while people watching in Jardin de Tuileries, getting up to consume another bottle of wine in front the Eiffel tower and then walk along the water towards Pont Alexander in the dark. We talked about how different cities make use of green spaces and how the cities make those spaces accessible to people. There was a traverse wall set up along the stone walls next to the Seine. There was a 100 meter, four to five-lane track markup on the stretch of the bank for runners to train on. There were benches and seats everywhere for the public to enjoy.
I loved out breakfast today in our neighbourhood with all the parents rushing their children to school. I loved how women dressed well into old age — with style, and colour, and flare. It made me want to buy a trendy dress and wear it with socks and running shoes. Being in Paris surrounded by beautiful women of all ages made me okay with aging and getting wrinkled. It made we want to get great quality, multi-functional clothes even more to wear for the next 10-15 years of my life if possible.
Fantastic eclairs and breakfast when you are extremely hungry. Tasty coffee every single time.
As the tracks curve along the valley, we get a glimpse of crags and hills from our train windows. Approaching the mountains is always exciting. We are sharing a lentils and greens salad from Pret A Manger at the train station. Somehow this already feels like an adventure.
