Will you miss Paris?

Paul asked me this question on Honeymoon Day 5, I think. We had just sort of gotten lost and wandered around some little street that we thought wouldn't lead anywhere at all and come across a huge, old, beautiful church with an oddly modern sculpture in the courtyard in front of it.





My answer then, as it is now that I think back on the magical location of the first week of our honeymoon, is that I miss the surprises of such an old, sprawling city. Because you literally turn a corner, walk down some teeny alleyway, down some old steps linking two people's backyards (such as they are in a city) and you'll find yourself humbled by a centuries-old cathedral or palace that wasn't on the map you were trying to follow or in any of the guidebooks. It's just there right in front of you, looming and reminding you of history and architecture like people don't build anymore, adorned with gargoyles or tiny latticework.

I do miss the discovery. But it makes me look forward to traveling the world with Paul even more. Traveling has always been a dream of his that I've wanted to help fulfill, but, as happens when you truly love someone and devote yourself to their happiness, I've found that his dreams are becoming mine, too. His wanderlust is now mine. Which works out quite nicely, considering we're bound together now. And what a happy bind we're in, too!

French Reflection

Everyone should visit France if they have the opportunity. And by France, I don't mean Paris.

Dana and I spent most of the last two weeks in France on our honeymoon. It was my fourth or fifth visit to the country since the mid 70s and easily the most enchanting one. We started with six days in Paris, which is kind of obligatory. Paris is impressive for its sheer scale and the dizzying number of monuments, museums, public parks and magnificent edifices it presents.

I think a lot of Americans equate Paris with France, but the capital city couldn't be more different then be countryside. Paris is magnificent, but the essence of France to me is in the tiny villages, rolling hills, stark coastline and fertile valleys that began less than 30 miles outside of the capital.

On this trip, we spent seven days in Burgundy, going as far south as the city of Lyon. Burgundy is France's most prosperous and agriculturally rich area. Its vineyards stretch for hundreds of miles, producing arguably the finest wine in the world. There are ample opportunities to taste and buy these products, for the “degustation” cellars are located almost on top of each other in spots.

Burgundy is the most historic region of France, also, featuring many Roman and Gallic ruins and little villages in which time seemed to stop 300 years ago. In reality, this charming antiquity is the product of years of careful and expensive restoration. While many original buildings remain, the charm of these older villages has been perpetuated by generations of owners who have maintained and improved their property with an eye toward harmonizing and with the surroundings. The French have a marvelous respect for their history. Even in Paris, the skyline is almost unsullied by tall buildings. The business districts are clustered on the outside of town.

Another striking characteristic of Burgundy is its lushness. I joked to Dana that you could throw a handful of seeds in any direction in Burgundy and come back six weeks later to find a beautiful flower garden. In fact, the reality isn’t all that different. In every little town we entered, we found the buildings, parks and even public roadways spilling over with floral displays. The Burgundians must have some of the finest soil on earth. I hope they appreciate this blessing, because those of us who try to coax a few flowers out of the rocky soil of Framingham, MA were indeed green with envy.

I posted about 250 photos from the trip here. In the next couple of posts, I'll talk about some highlights and low lights. I’m sure Dana will have her own observations to contribute.

See the slideshow.

www.flickr.com More of pgillin's photos tagged with france

First few days of married life

Saturday, Sept. 1, P and I get married. Which is reason enough to make the weekend amazing... But now, you see, we have finally procured Jimmy Buffett tickets -- a prize we've been after for a good long time now. So Sunday night, we're off to Foxboro. Being a huge Parrothead, I'm so grateful to finally have the opportunity to rub some of my Buffett love off on my soon-to-be-new husband! The fact that Buffett's only doing 4 shows this summer makes his 2 at Foxboro all the more special.

A special thanks to Matt Landry, who sold me the 2 tickets due to his getting better seats. A stand-up guy who made sure I wasn't a scalper before he agreed to sell me the tix.

Then Monday (or some other time that week) we're off to France for 2 weeks of honeymooning (one in Paris, one in the countryside somewhere). P's never been on a 2-week vacation in his life and I grew up with them, so that makes 2 things I'll share with him early on in our marriage.