March 31, 2003

NEVER TAKING PARIS FOR GRANTED

I can recall this as if it were yesterday. But, in fact, it must have been
about seven years ago, when I was still a fairly new resident of Paris. I
was walking along avenue de la Motte Picquet at sundown with elegant Ecole
Militaire on my left and the green expanse of the Champ de Mars and the
Eiffel Tower on my right. The sky was pink and golden silhouetting the
"iron maiden" enhancing her strength and beauty.

Stunning, I thought and with a deep sigh, realized that next to me walked a
man at about the same pace. I observed him and noted that not once did he
turn his head to see and appreciate the sight, so extraordinary for me. At
that moment, I proclaimed to myself that I would never become so jaded, so
unappreciative of all that the city has to offer, so blind to the fortune
of living with this every day splendor.

Paris stirs the senses.

Feast your eyes on every morsel of stone, every detail of design, every
blossom draped over a wrought iron rail and every culinary creation. If
you've already strolled past the Magritte surrealist paintings at the
Mu


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