You are my favorite when there is sunshine or moon light. The in between, I’m not as much of a fan.
“The people in Paris always look busy, when all they actually do is roam around from morning to night; it’s obvious, because when the weather isn’t right for walking around, when it’s too cold or too hot, you don’t see them anymore; they’re all indoors, drinking their cafes cremes or their beers.”
-Celine (1991) Journey to the end of the night
Being inside sharing a couple espressos is by no means a bad thing.
I just like when the city when it is alive, the canals, the parks, the patios full of conversation, or the the buzz and glimmering night lights dancing in the dark.
I will say, I didn’t find it cliche that you are the city of both light and love. The first was ironic because the sparkling Eiffel Tower and your major spectacles have a certain draw when they are colored by the night lights. The second was not only visible through the touchy feely couples, but was romanticized through your architecture and livelihood; accessories I would not have originally thought to pair with your whimsical love qualities.
I’m going to miss having a metro stop that was “mine” or a quarter that I belonged to.
I’m going to miss sitting with friends and family at a cafe with nothing on our agenda but talking and watching the smoke from neighboring Parisians float through the air.
I’m going to miss my host mom saying flurries of French to the television or the food she’s cooking.
And I’m going to miss my French friends that took a liking to my still very American traits.
I loved looking up on a sunny day to see rays peaking over your flourished roofs.
I loved the market on the corner of my street that had the best pears in the land.
I loved the creperie by school where the waiter knew me as a regular.
Looking back, I am satisfied to say that I achieved a different set of goals from those reached in London: I dove into the culture more- learning about both politics and perspectives, I spent hours talking with and befriending my host mom, I got to know some locals, and a took a handful of solo trips.
Thank you for the platform maroon pumas and making me totally question my sense of professional style.
Grosses bises,
Riley Makenna
Compass 