Sunday, July 26, 2009
Ive been to my dream and back
I cant even believe it still. It has been 4 months since I returned from my dream trip to Europe. And everytime I see a photo, read an entry in my journal or see a souvenior I cant believe I actually saw those places with my own eyes. When I was standing in line in Amsterdam waiting to go through customs I didnt believe it. When I stood in an ancient church in Portugal I didnt believe it. When I rode a train across the beauty of Spain, I didnt believe it. Crossing the Pyrennes mountains, drinking water in Lourdes, Riding the TGV into "my" city, Paris. I DIDNT BELIEVE IT!!! Or I couldnt. I was on overload. But when the worlds fastest train pulled into the Paris station. I was numb. From the terminal I could see nothing. It was too underground. I hadnt saw any of the famous Parisan landmarks. Or my lady, Eiffel. Everyone in my group kept looking at me. I know what they were searching more. My reaction. But As I unloaded my heavy baggage from the train and stepped onto the terminal I was NUMB. I wanted to know where our contact was so that I could start seeing what I had waited a lifetime to see. When Sylvia showed up I wanted her to hurry us through the extremely busy terminal. And she did. Dressed in what I would call a typical Parisan getup she got us all quickly to our waiting bus. All in some fierce stilleto heels. :-)
I boarded to bus, the 9 of us, I sat near the back, next to the window. I couldnt breathe. I couldnt speak, I couldnt hear and I couldnt breathe. The driver pulled from the terminal to the left and at the first corner made a right. We were on a large bullevard. And not more than a half a block later there she was. Lady Eiffel. Stadning proudly right out my window in front of me. I felt a rush of emotion and a gallon of tears run down my cheeks. I was finally in MY city. My Dream.
It was lovely being able to see all the places I saw in Europe but nothing would/could compare to Paris. I dreamt of it my whole life and never even thought I would ever be there. I knew we only technically had two days there. Not even close to enough time to be there. But It was amazing. I tried to soak in every street, ever person, every building I saw. I think most of the time I was in so much shock that I forgot to take pictures. Dont get me wrong I took near 2000 pics of my trip. But in Paris. I found myself in amazement so much that I didnt shoot what I was looking at.
I also didnt have the nerve to do all the things I wanted to do. I went with the group and only ventured off by myself a couple of times. I kick myself now for this. But standing in my city. The city that I have felt so connected to for so long did not disappoint. I now have an ever greater appreciation and admiration for her. And cant wait to go back. And I will go back. To take it all the things I missed. Home to me is Paris.
I boarded to bus, the 9 of us, I sat near the back, next to the window. I couldnt breathe. I couldnt speak, I couldnt hear and I couldnt breathe. The driver pulled from the terminal to the left and at the first corner made a right. We were on a large bullevard. And not more than a half a block later there she was. Lady Eiffel. Stadning proudly right out my window in front of me. I felt a rush of emotion and a gallon of tears run down my cheeks. I was finally in MY city. My Dream.
It was lovely being able to see all the places I saw in Europe but nothing would/could compare to Paris. I dreamt of it my whole life and never even thought I would ever be there. I knew we only technically had two days there. Not even close to enough time to be there. But It was amazing. I tried to soak in every street, ever person, every building I saw. I think most of the time I was in so much shock that I forgot to take pictures. Dont get me wrong I took near 2000 pics of my trip. But in Paris. I found myself in amazement so much that I didnt shoot what I was looking at.
I also didnt have the nerve to do all the things I wanted to do. I went with the group and only ventured off by myself a couple of times. I kick myself now for this. But standing in my city. The city that I have felt so connected to for so long did not disappoint. I now have an ever greater appreciation and admiration for her. And cant wait to go back. And I will go back. To take it all the things I missed. Home to me is Paris.
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