November 14, 2007

Home from Paris

I am sitting on the airplane, high above a layer of fluffy cotton batting, with wisps of blue ocean showing through thin spots in the clouds and blending into the atmosphere that seems to go on forever.

The pilot announced that this flight to Chicago from Paris will last 8 hours and 52 minutes. I already ate lunch, watched a movie, and took a little nap, and now I’m happy to write my thoughts while they’re fresh. The greatest part of this flight is that only about half the seats are taken, which gives me my window seat and also the one next to the aisle ~ aaaah, sweet leg room! If I had a stranger next to me, I’d never feel comfortable writing this where he or she could watch me and read what I’m writing. I know once I return home (after two layovers and thousands of miles and hours of flying and time zone differences), I will be dead tired. Work tomorrow should be fun because I will be busy as hell catching up on what I missed while I was away. But I don’t want to think of that right now, because…

I have fallen in love with Paris!

I heard many times from many different people that I should expect to find French people rude and contemptuous toward Americans, and I am here to tell you that this is a Big Lie. Instead, I found French people to be pleasant, hospitable, kind, charming, and with a style and flair that I now consider purely Paris. I wish I knew the French language, which I feel is vital to fully appreciating and understanding the people there, but for now I leave Paris with a love for it that will remain with me forever. I have found a new place to cherish.

Of course, another reason I will always cherish Paris is because my friends have given me memories that I hope to remember forever. I split my time in Paris in half, with two sets of friends for each half. Montchan, Genilimaa, and Taiko Tari were with me my first two days, and the second two days I was with Wry Catcher, Chanson, HM-UK (Aitch), and Ripzip. I knew from their blog writing and from emails and chats that these women were people I would love to meet, and I feel so very lucky to have been able to finally meet them in real life. Each is unique and beautiful in her own way, and very special to me. I am so happy to be able to call them friends. Thanks to each of you for joining in on my ladies’ weekend in Paris! What a fun time it was ~ I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

I plan to write and share my thoughts and adventures one at a time, so I can have a good record of my memories (yes, I’ll include photos) while they are still fresh in my mind. I’ll post my first one soon, and hopefully all of them will be posted with little or no long lapses in between.

For now, I’ll leave you with this advice: Start saving immediately and go to Paris as soon as you can. You’ll love it, I promise. Especially if you are with friends you love.

13 comments:

C. L. Hanson said...

It was fantastic, wasn't it?

I'm so glad you organized this -- what a blast!!!

I'll post about it on my blog too, and we can compare notes. :D

Sideon said...

Dammit, can you make sure guys are invited next time?

*completely.
green.
with.
jealousy.*

Anonymous said...

I agree with Sid. And his comment on the previous post:

"Can the next gathering be "women AND gay guys only"?? :)"

Well... ~ I can be gay! :)

J.M. Tewkesbury said...

Can't wait to read more and see the pictures. Totally bummed I didn't join you all. A mistake I won't make the next time around, believe me.

Bishop Rick said...

Dart,

Consider myself a lesbian.
That might work no matter what the rules are.

Bishop Rick said...

Um, that should have been consider YOURSELF a lesbian.

Was that a Freudian slip or what?
Ok, I admit it. I'm turned on by lesbians...there.

hm-uk said...

SML,

I'm at a loss for words. I had such a fantastic time with you. Thank you for welcoming me on board with such grace and enthusiasm. You've made a friend for life in me and I hope that your Paris memories will stay fresh in your mind. And with that, I must get my coat. xAitch

Aerin said...

So glad you're back safe and to hear you had a good time. I'm still jealous!

Cele said...

What Sid said, Dart is cracking me up. We missed you, look forward to your retellings, pictures, and all.
So totally bummed I didn't get to do this... but there is always... tomorrow...

Oh and don't forget Chat Friday night. :)

C. L. Hanson said...

Yeah, Aerin totally has to come next time!!! Hubby can take care of those adorable twins for a week or two, no? ;^)

Jazzy said...

I am glad that your trip was full of fun and friendship. I have to agree with everyone's sentiments. I want to go next time too!

Hopefully, you will come to chat tonight! I miss you.

Sideon said...

If Dart and Bishop Rick can be gay, then I'll be a lesbian if that means I can go next time!

Sister Mary Lisa said...

Chanson ~ yes, it was fantastic. Can't wait to do it again someday!

Sid ~ It'd be hard to have a ladies' weekend in Paris if guys were included. But yeah, next time you should come along!

Dartman ~ you can be gay, huh? I'd like to see that.

Tewkesy ~ You'd have enjoyed it so much. Wish you had come as well!

BR ~ LOL. You crack me up.

HM-UK ~ yup. Friends for life it is.

Aerin ~ don't be jealous, just come with next time!

Cele ~ have a date Fri night for my anniversary, so I'll miss the chat. Sorry!

Jazzy ~ hi again!

Sid ~ seeing you as lesbian is almost as good as seeing Dartman as gay. :)