PARIS

We traveled by train from Baden-Baden to Paris, France. The contrast between Paris and Baden was striking in numerous aspects. Paris boasts four major train stations, all teeming with crowds. The atmosphere was lively, chaotic, and somewhat daunting. We explored approximately five hotels before locating one with an available room. Although the hotel was quite old and somewhat dilapidated, it was not as poor in condition as the hotel we stayed at in Honduras years ago, but it came close.

During our time in Paris, we engaged in several tourist activities that I typically find unappealing. We visited iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. The queues to get into these tourist attractions were incredible. I opted to sit outside the Louve in the sun and look at the Mona Lisa on my phone. The sole location I entered was Notre Dame, coincidentally arriving just in time for a mass service. I participated in the mass and had the opportunity to receive communion from one of the 50 some numerous priests present alongside the bishop. I prayed I would not eat too many French pastries, but it went unheard!

It was also fashion week in Paris, which meant the streets were filled with fashion models showcasing unique outfits. One entertaining aspect for me was observing the photographer’s debate over the optimal angles for their shots. The models appeared bored to tears until it was time to say “cheese”. I was reminded of an incident I observed on one of my trips. A family of four, the mother and daughter arguing. But then as we passed a “tourist attraction” the mother held up the phone camera for a selfie and the two put their heads close together and grinned as if they were having a great time, then after the shot continued with their long, angry faces. I imagined that photo on a facebook saying what a great time they were having and everyone thinking ”Ahh how sweet, mother and daughter so happy and close.”

I lived on French pastries for three days. The only “real” meal I had, and I had it twice, was at an authentic Korean restaurant next to the hotel and I had the Beef Bibibap and it was as good as the ones I had in Korea. I feel a bit ashamed to go to Paris and not have a “real” authentic French meal! But the pastries made up for any shame I had.

SOMETIMES YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, AND SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE YOU FIND YOURSELF.

AND THIS IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO WIN. NOT FIGHTING WHAT WE HATE, BUT CHERISHING AND SAVING WHAT WE LOVE.