who could believe, after days such as this? who can believe at all?
Not one single day has gone by since Friday, November 13, that I haven’t re-imagined myself back in Paris, combing, sponging, soaking, feeding, enveloping, and basically dancing a jig in my heart every moment that I was there. For now, at least, my heart is broken for all Parisians and for the City itself. Beyond the deep sadness I feel for the people of Paris, I feel a fierce defensiveness on behalf of their City. I find myself thinking that if anyone were to damage any of those precious spots that I love so much, and even from afar, I would be crestfallen, for them especially, but for me, too, for they have given me such unforgettable happiness to see and experience. But, I have faith………
As I think about the French people and the horror of the last 11 days, I remember the scene from Casablanca, when they are in Rick’s and they burst into singing their national anthem and they so overtly defy the Nazis. Their ferocity was portrayed in such a palpable way, and I find myself believing that they feel this way now in their defense of themselves and their homeland.
It has taken me these couple of weeks to bring myself to compose this addendum to our trip. Considering that I had just returned home from two weeks there on October 10, all memories of this glorious trip are still very ripe in my mind. So, it was with such a searing shock that I listened to the news on that Friday evening and all that has transpired since then.
For every time we strolled idly by the Élysée Palace at all hours of the day and evening and for every stunning scene that is etched into my brain and saved on my camera, I grieve. As with someone you love who is very ill, I feel like I should rush there to take care of them.
One thing I have learned from this past 11 days, is to never take for granted the places you have seen and loved and all the people you have met there. Over and over again, I am transfixed upon each place we walked to and every conversation we had with native Parisians rings in my ears.
Rue St. Didier with all of the gorgeous flowers:
What I fear for more than anything now, is that so many people in the hospitality industries, those who have made all of our visits so truly magical, might lose their jobs as travel wanes. This is what makes me want to go back and right away. I wish I could support them all in every way that I can. I wish I could say to them, I hope that your spirit is not broken by evil.
And so, for every Parisian in their reality and in their spirit, I bid them to never forsake what they have there. For every bread baker, host and hostess, the lovely lady who helped me in Hermés, the charming doormen at Le Burgundy, for the two ladies behind the desk at Le Bristol who I pestered daily about Fa-raon and Kleopatre, for the vendors at Marche Raspail, for the cruise employee-lady who helped rescue the pigeon on the Seine, all those who wandered and sat in the glorious autumn sun, for all who paint, write, stroll, wait in line for a baguette every evening, for the cheesemonger in Victor Hugo, for the cab drivers who came for us before dawn, and the countless others we came upon, and for every single person who gave over their hospitality and a little bit of their country, I bid you peace.
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It is with the utmost defensiveness on your behalf and with my own complete selfishness as well, that I beg of you to save your city for me to come back to. I know that is most horrid to think thoughts of selfishness at this time. But, if I can feel this way about you and your city, then I think I can understand how you must feel. I can only hope for peacefulness to return to you, and soon.
I know I can’t regurgitate every picture I have already shared here again. But, rest assured, each and every one is in my heart as the sorrow aches in the back of my throat.
These just say it all, don’t they? I love you Paris. Wait for me.
(search on the blog for all my posts on Paris to enjoy the photos.)
……..for every single victim of terrorism the world over, each and every of these sentiments apply.