….European Anniversary

One year ago today I was walking the streets of Paris with Heather, Michelle, and a group of awesome people I’d just met. I was crossing Parisian streets and gazing up at the twinkling Eiffel tower. I was floating down the Seine and I was awed.

Today I took down the hat box that contains my Europe-trip ephemera. I haven’t looked at it for months and months. I’ve read that people change on vacation….especially when they’ve seen sights as historically important and amazing as I did in France and Italy. I’m am just awed at the significance of the architecture, the history of the buildings, streets, the city itself, and its people. I am humbled that I walked the very same paths as Napoleon and Marie Antoinette and that I stood inside Notre Dame.

Did I change? I think I did. I can’t put my finger on it, but I’m sure I did. I can say that I’ve seen a bit of history…I’ve seen places and things, and art that I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to see. I remember when I was there I felt as if I belonged there. I felt, not like a tourist, but as if I were seeing a new hometown for the first time. Especially in Florence. I could imagine myself there. I remember feeling slightly special for having taken the time to learn some of the language…and that I was good at it. I only wish I’d actually spoken to people other than our tour guide. If only I’d had more time. And now I’ve forgotten a lot of it..and that saddens me.

So…here are some pictures I don’t think I posted from Paris. These are Heather’s view of the City of Love…and a couple of my favorite images from our European Vacation.

Hi Karyn! Hi Heather! Are you as nostalgic as I am this June? Look for more memories coming soon….and maybe even a journal entry (although I only wrote through Paris!)