***For archiving. Originally published in The Monitor Magazine Winter 2014***

Recent history, say the last 200 years or so, has brought us many stories coming from the city of Paris.  Many of these offer the personal observations and insights of a single individual.  Though these stories may focus on similar places and experiences in Paris, each of them brings something personal that makes the familiar new once again.

A visit to Paris in October offered great opportunities to observe the locals in various weather conditions and doing various things.  Sitting outside at a café gives one a great view of the comings and goings of locals and tourists and a great insight into the city itself.  As in any big city, there is a hustle and bustle to things that is both frantic and fascinating.  Differences are immediately apparent.   Things are in general more polite and cordial.  People seem to be in a hurry yet the frustration level is low.  It seems to be all part of everyday life.  While moving to and fro to places unknown to the observer, locals clearly take a lot of care in their overall appearance.  Being dressed well and completely seems to be something that all age groups participate in.  Hats, scarves, coats, vests and the full array of possible accessories.  It is a nice thing to see and a nice change of pace.

A key component of life in Paris is the gatherings of friends for conversation.  A real conversation of the face-to-face variety where people take the time to sit down and engage with other people.  There are three things that are central to this activity.  Food, wine, and coffee.  Sitting down for a meal or to have coffee or a drink with friends is a casual affair that is not taken lightly.  Coffee is savored, food is appreciated, and wine is a staple, a part of life that makes everything just that much nicer and taste that much better. Parisians take the time to stop and engage.  They do not hurry through meals or with a conversation.  This is something that could be incorporated into daily life very easily.

History is overwhelming in Paris.   A person could spend a lifetime learning about the history of various small churches and large cathedrals.  If architecture is your thing, then another lifetime could be spent examining great and not so great buildings.  Street corner after street corner brought historical signs marking places where people were killed, born, where agreements were signed, and where Authors, Playwrights, Singers and Musicians, and Politicians made their mark on history.  Personally, I was able to get to two places that I have had on my list for years.  Shakespeare and Company Bookstore near Notre Dame Cathedral and the small cabaret venue Lapin Agile in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur.  These two places brought me a large amount of joy at just seeing after everything I have read about each location.  Locations like this are all over Paris and whatever your interest, you will be able to find the location that speaks to you.

Any big city provides opportunities to hear live music.  In Paris, I was able to combine my love of the city with my love of opera.  A performance of Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca” was seen at Opera Bastille, the newer and more controversial of the two opera houses in Paris.  This performance offered world-class voices combined with a world-class orchestra to make for an amazing musical and theatric experience.  This was made even more special as the performance was on the night of my tenth wedding anniversary.  A memorable evening during a fantastic and fascinating trip to a place to which I will return again and again, Paris