America.
This American girl living in Paris has now become this American girl living in, well, America.
Fifteen days ago I arrived in the great state where I grew-up, Montana. Since then I have been in my hometown (population: 4027…er, now 28) re-adjusting, re-acclimating and rehabilitating from reverse culture shock after 19 months in France. Perhaps other than a small village on the Tibetan Plateau, I don’t think I could have chosen a place more unlike Paris to re-wet these American feet.
So here I am in the the country I am proud to be from and the country that I call home. So why can’t I stop thinking and dreaming of Paris?
Maybe because I think I belong there.
In Paris I told people that I would be happy to die there. Granted that is not the most upbeat of declarations from this sunny personality (I would always preface my statement with, “What I am going to say may sound bizarre…”), but it was meant to show my true contentment and comfort in The City of Light.
Falling in love with a city is much like falling in love with a person; your senses come alive, excitement heightens and you discover new pieces of yourself. Possibilities are endless. And like with a cherished lover, over time feelings strengthen, you become more yourself in their presence…even a better version of yourself, and it all just feels right. In Paris, it just felt right.
So what do I miss?
Her streets…
Her language…
Her elegance…
Her beauty…
Her sophistication…
Her flirtatiousness (or was it mine?)…
Her timelessness…
Her cuisine…
Her people…
My people…
Her opulence…
Her wine…
Her icon…
I also miss the little things that made the city feel like it was mine; the patisserie shop worker that would wave and smile to me each time I passed (also alerting me when the citron cheesecake was in!), my walk to the American Church in Paris each Sunday afternoon, visiting my favorite cave du vin to select a wine for dinner at a friend’s house, settling in at 17:45 to watch my favorite t.v. show, Un Diner Presque Parfait, gracefully navigating cobble stone streets in heels, and…a certain corner of a couch on Rue Budé (*wink*).
While I am indeed happy to be home reconnecting with all my wonderful family and friends here, Paris me manque.
Home…for now.
Home…forever?
Can’t say yet, but I think anything is possible.
In the meantime, I will be spending the holidays here in Hamilton and will move to Seattle in early 2013.
AND a new adventure I am priming to start is my own business – J.J. Caprices! It will be an online boutique that dazzles visitors with delightful and unique jewelry pieces and home decor from my travels around the globe. I want it to enchant and inspire. I will share more details soon! Eek! 🙂
The day before I left for Paris on May 10, 2011, I wrote a blog that ended with the below quote:
Il n’y a que deux endroits au monde où l’on puisse vivre heureux: chez soi et à Paris.
(There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris.)
-Ernest Hemingway
I followed it with, “Let’s go find out!” Today I can exuberantly say that no truer words have ever been spoke.
You are inspiring me to try your adventure 😉
Linda! You made my day…and please, please do take flight on your own adventure soon. AND make sure you send me a link to your blog! 🙂
“Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller
comment s’il te plait “” …..
nice blog
lucky you to travel so much
Jerome! I am so happy you found my blog, and more happy you liked it! You are in France, right? I would say you are quite lucky to live in such a beautiful country…bisous
Coucou Jennifer,
Paris vous manque mais vous manquez certainement à Paris…I wish you all the best for you business.
hoo i’m glag my fire works pics are into you’r view of the city 🙂
yea u miss paris and paris missed you, and… you’r
spontanious and enjoying personnality full of happyness to dicovered new places!!!