Day 1 – For the first time traveling, I collapsed for a couple of hours at my apartment before unpacking and adventuring out. Perhaps because I started my trip with a wake up at 2:30 am on Thursday and arrived in Paris at 7 am on Friday. Plus, sleeping on overnight flights just never occurs, so that means sleep deprivation for about 30 hours.
Side note, if you’re ready. What did happen on both flights was magic. Universe magic! You know, when our cosmic dust collides with seamless purpose and perfection. Lean into cosmic dust and there’s always magic afloat. First flight, actually first conversation of the day, after we shake the 5 am airport fog, we realize, we know each other! When we first met last year, we had good intentions to stay connected. It did not happen. There was a second time, and then Thursday. She was heading to Dubai for 10 days to teach. Today, perhaps she needed my listening ears and my perspective as a seasoned Mom, perhaps as a seasoned human. What sealed the deal on this universe colliding concept – when we boarded, we’d been assigned seats next to one another. REALLLLY?!!!!
Second flight, Punita, headed to India to see her family and lives in New York City. Our visions, the new paths we are carving, are in total sync. I need not bother you with the finer details now.
Back to the rituals of travels and jet lag: Historically I/we set down luggage and do a walk about. Staying awake the first day is a great idea for getting over jet lag. Our friend Stas, whom I am renting the apartment from, took me out to a cafe for cafe’ and a French breakfast of buttered baguettes, croissants, fresh squeezed orange juice and a fromage/yogurt delicacy. After that I did a little grocery shopping at the local Monoprix and came back to my new home for two hour nap, a shower, some more coffee, a little writing time and then by 4 pm I was ready to venture!
I walked for 8 miles. Well, in all honesty, I initially walked as though I had some place to be. Catching myself, I dropped a gear or two and landed in stroll. At some point my stomach nudged me and I stopped to eat at a little place along the Seine, on the left bank.
Back on my path to nowhere, I saw a bench laying next to some people gathered for a Friday night jam session. It called and I laid down. Three of them were playing instruments; a ukulele, a guitar and a bamboo recorder. The golden cast from Paris’ setting sun suspended time. Pure fusion unfolded: Music, rose’ swimming through my veins, a blue sky dappled by leaves that waltzed with French conversation, all floating on the Seine’s breeze.
Goodnight Paris!
Welcome to Wonder 