Historical June 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
It has been my dream for many years to revisit Paris.
In my memory, it had become the city of cities, the most beautifully laid out metropolis.
Each time I thought I might have the wherewithal to make the trip, something came up or the funds at hand were insufficient. But, thanks to a little consulting and an income tax refund, I saw my window of opportunity in February. Frequent flyer miles would help too.
I called around and made reservations and ordered up a passport and the die was cast. 1 was terribly excited about the adventure but at the same time was nervous as well. I’m not in my twenties anymore and don’t have the same stamina or the same live-and-let-live attitude. Plus, I don’t speak either French or Italian (Italy being my second destination). And, would what I liked 23 years ago still please me today? Had I exaggerated the perfection of my favorite urban location? Friends told me not to worry. Catherine told me a great deal about Florence, even where the best gelati were. JoAnn gave me a wonderful book about Paris and an invaluable map. Then, I borrowed tons more about Italy from Karleen. And, suddenly May 3 was here and off 1 went.
I arrived in Paris at 8:30 a.m. the next day.
A woman I met on the plane gave me a ride into the city.
I gaped and gaped.
The surrounding area looked partially rural and partially highrise apartments.
There were crowded freeways at rush hour.
Then we were in Paris and it was better than I remembered. Very green. Lots of flowers–window boxes everywhere. Five stories of apartments atop a variety of shops.
It was also sunny and warm and continued that way for the five days of my stay.
I was very happy there. Everyone was nice, the food was good, the museums incredible, and then there was V-E Day.
I stood on the Champs Elysees with the crowds and saw the incoming and outgoing French presidents and heard the Marseillaise.
I walked back through the Tuileries and also enjoyed the Luxembourg Gardens.
The French design beautifully sculptured parks that serve an urban people.
There are chairs aplenty so that anyone can sit and read the paper or enjoy the view or take a nap. It’s expensive there.
I must admit that. But, you get a lot from the urban vitality, the beautiful vistas, the joie de vivre. ‘ Italy was interesting too. Seeing the finest sculptures by Michelangelo and Donatello was a very moving thing. Florence was a bit bucolic but Rome was a large and vibrant city. Florence has very narrow streets that do not follow a grid pattern.
In the dark, I began to feel afraid.
It was easy to get lost and it took a while to get my bearings. Then, there were the drivers.
The cars didn’t follow set lanes but the motorbikes were the terrifying part.
If I waited at a light and it changed to green, I never dared to start across immediately. You see, motorbikes would just go right on through. So, dark shadows and motorbikes were scary. But, there was no real crime to fear in any of the 3 cities I visited.
They warned about pickpockets of course, particularly with signs at Notre Dame or St. Peter’s. But, I didn’t hear gunshots there.
The people don’t have guns. I’m sure there are drugs and theft. But, shootings are far from commonplace.
It was nice to see cities that are not places of fear (except for the motorbikes).
It was nice to see cities which were the preferable place to live for people of means.
It was nice to see people living comfortably who didn’t have acres of land and didn’t eschew sidewalks or commerce.
It was nice to see parks designed for people and their various needs.
It was also nice to return home to my friends, job, and neighborhood and to recognize again what essential parts of me they are. Maybe we could trade guns for motorbikes.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1995.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1995_06.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
Commentary
Editor’s Notebook — Paris, Italy And Home
June 1995
Historical June 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
It has been my dream for many years to revisit Paris.
In my memory, it had become the city of cities, the most beautifully laid out metropolis.
Each time I thought I might have the wherewithal to make the trip, something came up or the funds at hand were insufficient. But, thanks to a little consulting and an income tax refund, I saw my window of opportunity in February. Frequent flyer miles would help too.
I called around and made reservations and ordered up a passport and the die was cast. 1 was terribly excited about the adventure but at the same time was nervous as well. I’m not in my twenties anymore and don’t have the same stamina or the same live-and-let-live attitude. Plus, I don’t speak either French or Italian (Italy being my second destination). And, would what I liked 23 years ago still please me today? Had I exaggerated the perfection of my favorite urban location? Friends told me not to worry. Catherine told me a great deal about Florence, even where the best gelati were. JoAnn gave me a wonderful book about Paris and an invaluable map. Then, I borrowed tons more about Italy from Karleen. And, suddenly May 3 was here and off 1 went.
I arrived in Paris at 8:30 a.m. the next day.
A woman I met on the plane gave me a ride into the city.
I gaped and gaped.
The surrounding area looked partially rural and partially highrise apartments.
There were crowded freeways at rush hour.
Then we were in Paris and it was better than I remembered. Very green. Lots of flowers–window boxes everywhere. Five stories of apartments atop a variety of shops.
It was also sunny and warm and continued that way for the five days of my stay.
I was very happy there. Everyone was nice, the food was good, the museums incredible, and then there was V-E Day.
I stood on the Champs Elysees with the crowds and saw the incoming and outgoing French presidents and heard the Marseillaise.
I walked back through the Tuileries and also enjoyed the Luxembourg Gardens.
The French design beautifully sculptured parks that serve an urban people.
There are chairs aplenty so that anyone can sit and read the paper or enjoy the view or take a nap. It’s expensive there.
I must admit that. But, you get a lot from the urban vitality, the beautiful vistas, the joie de vivre. ‘ Italy was interesting too. Seeing the finest sculptures by Michelangelo and Donatello was a very moving thing. Florence was a bit bucolic but Rome was a large and vibrant city. Florence has very narrow streets that do not follow a grid pattern.
In the dark, I began to feel afraid.
It was easy to get lost and it took a while to get my bearings. Then, there were the drivers.
The cars didn’t follow set lanes but the motorbikes were the terrifying part.
If I waited at a light and it changed to green, I never dared to start across immediately. You see, motorbikes would just go right on through. So, dark shadows and motorbikes were scary. But, there was no real crime to fear in any of the 3 cities I visited.
They warned about pickpockets of course, particularly with signs at Notre Dame or St. Peter’s. But, I didn’t hear gunshots there.
The people don’t have guns. I’m sure there are drugs and theft. But, shootings are far from commonplace.
It was nice to see cities that are not places of fear (except for the motorbikes).
It was nice to see cities which were the preferable place to live for people of means.
It was nice to see people living comfortably who didn’t have acres of land and didn’t eschew sidewalks or commerce.
It was nice to see parks designed for people and their various needs.
It was also nice to return home to my friends, job, and neighborhood and to recognize again what essential parts of me they are. Maybe we could trade guns for motorbikes.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1995.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1995_06.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
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