Paris on My Mind… Looking back. Stepping Forward. Pausing Now.

In one short month, I will be co-leading the much anticipated Urban Pilgrimage: Paris – Where Sole Greets Soul. As you might imagine, there isn’t much else on my mind. I'm so excited. This morning as I sat down to write a totally different blog post, I ran across the following excerpt I wrote last November while on a reconnaissance mission for the upcoming trip. (Tough duty, I know!)

Are you ready to discover what it really means to say, ‘Oh My God’ and how to warm your way into a Parisian heart? If so, then read on, mes amies (my friends)…

Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore11/7/13 Oh My God! I love this city. Recently I listened to a Tedx Talk by photographer, Louie Schwarzberg where he suggests that “Oh” means something has caught our attention, “My” means it’s connected with us personally, and “God” resonates with the universal bigness or otherness of life. Très fantastique, non? That is exactly what Paris does for me. It gets my attention and connects me to the larger world in a BIG way!

Years ago, a friend of mine suggested I check out the work of a woman named, Christine Valters Paintner. Christine is someone who caught my attention at first sight and became a mentor, co-worker, and beloved friend. I’ve learned much from Christine about the arts, the ancestors, and pilgrimage. We traveled to Ireland together in 2009 for our first Irish pilgrimage where we explored the country around Glendolough. It was there that the seeds for my Egyptian pilgrimage were planted. As of this writing, Christine now lives in Galway, Ireland and part of my excitement on this day in Paris is the opportunity to spend time with her.

melon pastisShe arrived late in the afternoon of my first day in town. Being the adventuresome woman she is, she booked her short stay on a boat in the Bassin de l’Arsenal, a few blocks from my studio. I went to meet her at the boat with my trusty directions in hand. Even though she was only meters away, I got totally turned around and disoriented, so it took me longer to get there than planned. She was about to send out the infantry (or coastguard) when I finally stumbled upon her dock.

 We were both tired from our travel, but excited to be in Paris together. We decided to stay within walking distance of Place de la Bastille (our center point of reference) and counted on my 5-year-old guidebook for references. The first restaurant we looked for was no longer in business. Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my Paris City Guide app and we tried again.

Winding our way toward Place des Vosges, we stumbled upon the Provençal bistro, Chez Janou. With no reservations, the waiter serving as maître d turned up his nose un petit peu and seated us at a tiny table near the heater. It felt a bit like being banished to a corner, but we didn’t care. We were together and in Paris!! When the waiter realized that we both spoke a bit of French, he began to warm up and we settled in for a charming evening.

All around us, lively conversation flowed alongside wine and the pastis (an anise-flavored liqueur) for which the establishment is known. My steak and her duck were moderate, but the sides—potato gratin and roasted potatoes—were scrumptious. Our pichet of red wine warmed our insides and the peach tartine we shared for dessert was buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Evidently we redeemed ourselves with the waiter as not just any old Americans, because he showed up at our table with a complimentary serving of Melon pastis. Christine and I both thought we’d died and gone to heaven, it was so delicious—all chilled goodness and rich flavor.

window whimsey There’s a nasty rumor that circulates the United States about how snooty and rude the French are. In fact, this was one of the reasons I traveled to Paris on my own the first time. My husband had no desire to visit, because he, for whatever reason, had bought into the rumor. What I have found, however, is just the opposite.

I believe we find what we’re looking for (not just in Paris, but everyday at anytime). I’m enchanted by all things French and, therefore, more often than not my enchantment is rewarded with surprise gifts… like pastis on the house and strangers going out of their way to help. A smile and un petit peu français go a long way in this city that resonates with Oh Mon Dieu!

What will capture your attention today? Notice how it brings you connection and resonates with the Bigness of Life.

Pause. Stay awhile. Breathe. Express a little merci beaucoup.

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