36 Hours in Paris

I was speaking with a coworker today about an upcoming trip she and her husband have to The Big Apple in December. Her husband has always wanted to go to New York, and with one free plane ticket and some usable points at a Hilton hotel, his dreams are about to come true. They have booked the trip to New York City, and they only have to pay for the wife's plane ticket. The time they'll have to tour New York: 36 hours.

Greg and I had 36 hours once to tour a city I had always dreamed of visiting - Paris, France. It started back in the early 80's when I was in high school French class. I was in my 2nd year of French language and was desperate to run away from home. I had many desperate thoughts during that time of my life and running away where nobody from home could ever find me was the easiest and less fatal option. Common sense won, however, and I never did leave home, but it was in my heart that one day I'd make it there.

Fast forward to the late 90's. Greg and I and the boys are living in Boeblingen, Germany for what was supposed to be a 1-year assignment. One year turned into a possible two year assignment, which after 5 months into our foreign assignment were told we would only be in Germany for one more month. YIKES! I had decided and had the support of my husband NOT to leave Germany without seeing Paris so we had to get b-u-s-y! We found accomodations for the three boys and with the help of a travel agency, booked two beds on the midnight sleeper train, as well as one night hotel stay downtown Paris. We literally had 36 hours in Paris. The adventure began!

If words could adequately express the time Greg and I had in Paris, I would use them here; but words do not tell the complete story. It truly was magical - the trip of a lifetime. The sleeper car was very interesting. Six beds in a cabin smaller than my bathroom. Greg and I got the last two beds available in our cabin, the two top bunks, and once we laid down our noses literally were inches from the ceiling. Good thing it was dark in there!

We arrived at the Paris train station at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. We made our way to the hotel (can't remember how we found it) and surprisingly were let into our room! After a quick change of clothes, we were out the door to see all we could possibly see. Fortunately, we had done our homework so we had maps, subway plans, and a definite agenda. Nothing would stop us, and nothing did!

The trip was all I had hoped it would be and so much more. Observations: There really is love in the air. We breathed it and experienced it. DO NOT eat the sheep kidney. It looks like a piece of poo on a plate! Enjoy a sidewalk cafe' in the drizzling rain. Arrive at the Louvre before it opens and RUN to the Mona Lisa before anybody else has an opportunity to step in front of your camera. Check out the cross walk signs - a check mark to move forward and cross the street, then a man with his hands on his hips with his legs spread apart to discourage you from crossing the street. Don't restaurant hop - we had appetizers at one restaurant and dinner at another and were given the "stink eye" at the first restaurant. Wear very sensible shoes! OUCH! Buy an umbrella there so you have something practical to bring back to the states. And don't take pictures of the police officers in the subway. They carry BIG guns and don't like their picture taken.

I'm excited for my friend who is accompanying her husband to New York City. They'll have approximately 36 hours to play and I know they'll accomplish a lot. What's so beautiful here is that my friend is excited FOR her husband. This has been his dream and it is now becoming a reality for the both of them. My dream was to visit Paris, France. When the dream was originally formed, I was a miserable teenager who was just trying to find an escape from reality. What God gave me, however, was 36 hours in Paris with a lovely man to share it with.

For you - love your life! Do the things that you've always wanted to do, and do them with someone you love. Thank God for these wonderful experiences. Then encourage someone else to enjoy the next 36 hours!