Such a gorgeous post, Sharron! I have memories of scaling those steps up to the beautiful Sacré-Cœur, and the beautiful view from the top of them in the summer evening light from a school trip aged 17.
Your travel writing never fails to transport me right to where you've been, even if I haven't been there myself. You have a great gift, and you're so kind to share it with your readers.
This is such a wonderful series of vignettes and so beautifully written. Starting with "a giggle of girls'" and moving on to "Intriguing possibilities tumble out into the narrow lanes," and "The Seine curves...like the smile of a Cheshire cat." Beautiful and descriptive. I felt like I was walking right along with you, discovering instead of being told.
The conversation with the Polish stranger was pure gold. Those types of interactions are so universally human.
Asking the shopkeeper if he has "little glass balls," and the "Culinary Russian roulette," humorous and relatable.
And the wisdom of the reflection, "which will have been my teacher today?"
It is always the small things when we travel that we remember , isn't it - the moments that happen outside of the itinerary. Thank you, Jim for your inspiring, positive comments!
It's been a very long time but I remember Montmartre and The Louvre with it's surprisingly small painting of the Mona Lisa. Too many things to see with too little time. Such good writing! "Thanks for the memories", Sharron.
Thanks for reading it, Ron. You get no advice from my travel things about where to stay, what to do. Other books do that. I just like to share a feeling, a serendipitous moment. I am sure you have funny stories, too, about travel!
What wonderful experiences you have had and memories you share so well. I was in Paris for a day. We walked from the Arc de Triomphe, to the Eiffel Tower and down the Champs Elysees to the Louvre. Obviously, it was just a peak, but enough to let me know I would love to go back.
The paragraph beginning with, “Opening our eyes to our surroundings...” is transcendental advice and can apply to anyone. Not everyone is dealt the same hand, and not everyone starts on the same line, but if everyone was able to consciously follow this advice, I truly think the world would be a much better place. Powerful stuff, Sharron!
Thank you so much, Sharon, for directing me to this post! I have just returned from a Viking river cruise on the Seine from Paris to Normandy and back. I was in Montmartre on our travels and in the Marais. As a Jew I was devastated by the plaques in tribute to the lost children and others. I will see what I can come up with. I have a little over an hour now in my office before my first therapy patient. So I’ll post when I feel okay enough about it!
I look forward to your article. I hope you found the Mémorial de la Shoah in the Marais district. It is a Jewish Memorial that most travelers never find. It is absolutely heart-breaking. I could hardly breathe walking through it.
I didn’t see it, Sharron. But I will return because there wasn’t time to see it all! And I apologize for misspelling your first name earlier. It happens to me all the time and I know how frustrating it can be.
Such a gorgeous post, Sharron! I have memories of scaling those steps up to the beautiful Sacré-Cœur, and the beautiful view from the top of them in the summer evening light from a school trip aged 17.
Your travel writing never fails to transport me right to where you've been, even if I haven't been there myself. You have a great gift, and you're so kind to share it with your readers.
Yeow! Thanks, Rebecca, that is so kind!
Such a pleasure. All true! x
This is such a wonderful series of vignettes and so beautifully written. Starting with "a giggle of girls'" and moving on to "Intriguing possibilities tumble out into the narrow lanes," and "The Seine curves...like the smile of a Cheshire cat." Beautiful and descriptive. I felt like I was walking right along with you, discovering instead of being told.
The conversation with the Polish stranger was pure gold. Those types of interactions are so universally human.
Asking the shopkeeper if he has "little glass balls," and the "Culinary Russian roulette," humorous and relatable.
And the wisdom of the reflection, "which will have been my teacher today?"
Well done, Sharron.
It is always the small things when we travel that we remember , isn't it - the moments that happen outside of the itinerary. Thank you, Jim for your inspiring, positive comments!
It's been a very long time but I remember Montmartre and The Louvre with it's surprisingly small painting of the Mona Lisa. Too many things to see with too little time. Such good writing! "Thanks for the memories", Sharron.
Thanks for reading it, Ron. You get no advice from my travel things about where to stay, what to do. Other books do that. I just like to share a feeling, a serendipitous moment. I am sure you have funny stories, too, about travel!
among the most challenging words to spell I’ve ever known.. teases me toujour les temps
Et... de quel mot?
rhymes with splendiferous .. in petit peu.. non ? (i speak ‘bar french’)
What wonderful experiences you have had and memories you share so well. I was in Paris for a day. We walked from the Arc de Triomphe, to the Eiffel Tower and down the Champs Elysees to the Louvre. Obviously, it was just a peak, but enough to let me know I would love to go back.
Well, I sure hope you do, Janice. So much to do and see there. Only one day and you don't even have time to unpack! I will bet you had a great time.
We did, it was part of a cruise . . and one of the best parts of the trip.
The paragraph beginning with, “Opening our eyes to our surroundings...” is transcendental advice and can apply to anyone. Not everyone is dealt the same hand, and not everyone starts on the same line, but if everyone was able to consciously follow this advice, I truly think the world would be a much better place. Powerful stuff, Sharron!
Thanks so much, Justin. Such a wise thing to say! I wish we were neighbors. I could babysit, or invite you to happy hour. Hah!
Haha! I would say yes to both! 😄
Thank you so much, Sharon, for directing me to this post! I have just returned from a Viking river cruise on the Seine from Paris to Normandy and back. I was in Montmartre on our travels and in the Marais. As a Jew I was devastated by the plaques in tribute to the lost children and others. I will see what I can come up with. I have a little over an hour now in my office before my first therapy patient. So I’ll post when I feel okay enough about it!
I look forward to your article. I hope you found the Mémorial de la Shoah in the Marais district. It is a Jewish Memorial that most travelers never find. It is absolutely heart-breaking. I could hardly breathe walking through it.
I didn’t see it, Sharron. But I will return because there wasn’t time to see it all! And I apologize for misspelling your first name earlier. It happens to me all the time and I know how frustrating it can be.
I never even notice it. I answer to both! You have a lovely mix of Irish and German names.
Loved this so much, Sharron! Dreamy and (for me) nostalgic. Wish I could wish myself there. Glad your current short version led me here! Hugs!
This is one of my favorites as well. Seems like yesterday. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, were I able!