Traveling and taking time to shut off

I went to Paris the City of Lights-

I traveled with a small group of students and a colleague, it was my first time in Paris, in fact my first time traveling abroad ever.   I was about to visit places that up to this point, I have only read about and researched.  Looking at these places in a VR still wasn’t the same as seeing the places in person.  I have read that sometimes a person gets overwhelmed by all that they see in Paris, I can relate to that statement.  I wasn’t overwhelmed but I didn’t want to miss a bit of it.  Our days consisted of walking surface streets and using the subway.  I do believe that is the best way to immerse yourself into the city.  We started as early as 7:45 a.m. and didn’t return to our hotel rooms until 9:30 p.m.

 

I have my favorite places that I hope to return to so I can spend more time enjoying all that the place has to offer.  I was surprised by what I was most excited to see vs places I was interesting in seeing but it wasn’t on the top of my list; how quickly that changed once I arrived.  The architecture and details of the interior spaces captivated my imagination.  I was peering out the window views in the same position as someone who may have lived in that space long ago.  The amount of detail the craftsman created who touched each place was breathtaking.  The hand carved details of doors, side boards, furniture, and so much more was impressive.  I was equally excited about all the gardens.  I took note of the ground cover, placement of plants, and hardscape to help shape the gardens.  I could have spent days at the Palace of Versailles.  I hope one day to return to walk the garden and take a boat out on the lake.

My group also visited the Fragonard Parfumeur and it was a great tour with updated technology and a very informative historical tour.  Learning how scents were created and the science and art behind perfume was fascinating.

 

Monet’s Garden was on my list forever. On one of our last days we finally toured his estate.  It was so beautiful and exciting to see how he constructed his personal spaces and his gardens.  I felt very much at home in this place.  So many nuances reminded me of my Great Grandparents home and garden.  From the color of his home to the carefully planted flower beds, it all felt familiar.  Once inside his home I really felt privileged to walk in his private estate and see what he chose to collect and view daily.  The water garden was much smaller than I imagined but it still looked so much like his paintings.  I could see what his eyes viewed and then painted on his canvases.

 

We visited the Louvre, Musee d’orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Paris Opera House, the Chateau in Vincennes and enjoyed the street market too.  The jux-a-position of the historical buildings and monuments with modern sculptures and graffiti was so engaging.  The sounds and feel of the Parisian lifestyle was something I am curious about and want to try to find more time to stay in one place to take in the cafe’s, little shops, and the food.

 

I truly enjoyed all that I was able to see and capture in my camera lens.  The time was spent was never enough but the memories of seeing so much beauty will always be with me.  I can say I was on the top of the Eiffel Tower and that I took a boat tour on the Seine river.

I will travel more and see more …  but for now, I will be content to paint what I can recall in photos and memories until I travel again.