“That was the end of the first part of Paris. Paris was never to be the same again although it was always Paris and you changed as it changed.” –Hemingway I’m still saying goodbye to Paris. Sappiness and nostalgia aside, there isn’t a day that’s gone by that I haven’t thought about it, or been … Continue reading »
Paris after traveling felt completely different somehow. My mentality prior to leaving had been something like this: Paris has everything, so why would I ever want to leave? But after seeing Spain and Morocco, Paris just didn’t quite measure up anymore. It’s not that Paris was bad, necessarily – it’s just that it no longer … Continue reading »
There’s something about exploring a new place with a new person. It’s true that we humans are prone to stereotyping the unfamiliar, to automatically assimilating a novelty into our schema and the way we see the world. Thus, I’ve found that it’s helpful to let these preconceived notions engulf my mind, then force myself to … Continue reading »
I didn’t know it was possible to feel something for a city that is usually reserved for a person, or maybe I’d just forgotten. But something about Barcelona resonated with my spirit and electrified my soul. It left my whole being echoing awe. The lucid memories keep me coming back to a city that let … Continue reading »
I love meeting people. I’m drawn to strangers because each unfamiliar person is brimming with unknown potential. What’s his name? Where is he going? What kind of music does he like? The StrengthsFinder assessment I took this past spring calls it “woo.” I like to win others over because it gives me a rush. I … Continue reading »
There are times when we close our eyes and tell ourselves we’re going to remember a moment forever. Maybe it’s just too precious to let slip, or maybe it’s because we discover some small part of ourselves in it. And because our eyes are closed, it’s usually a sense other than sight that assists us … Continue reading »
“But Paris was a very old city and we were young and nothing was simple there,” Hemingway wrote in his Paris memoir, A Moveable Feast. And the longer I’ve been here, the more I’ve found this sentiment to be true. I departed for Paris on the morning of August 28th. I spent the flight trying … Continue reading »
