Everyone needs a vacation. Even ‘Type A’ personalities like me need a break from the daily grind to get away and enjoy life on a different level. About 8 months ago that break was planned in the form of a trip to Paris France for 10 days and it seemed so far in the future I never gave it a second thought. As the months counted down and the turmoil of my life seemed to take hold, a vacation was on a back burner that hardly ever got mentioned let alone focused on for a short moment of time. Between shifts in my professional life and the changing responsibilities of my personal life I did not plan or care to think about leaving everything behind for an extended amount of time. But as I said, it is necessary and getting away is a blessing.

Having the chance to visit another part of the world I had not seen before is always welcome. Being able to visit a place that is not ravaged by war is even better considering most of my overseas trips were provided by Uncle Sam and he likes to send his kids to places like Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and other ‘hot spots’. I have seen parts of Europe before, but ever France, and the chance to see Paris was something to jump at.

What I know of Paris is mainly from books and from word of mouth. The country looked beautiful and rich in culture but I had the impression coming in that Americans are not a welcome bunch in this country. Not that Americans are despised, just that we are not exactly greeted with open arms. The French people were also explained to me as an arrogant bunch that could come across abrasive to Westerners. I do not know a word of French, do not know their cultures and am generally unfamiliar with their country other that the primary tourist traps that everyone hears about. I was planning on having some difficulties but I know difficult and this could be nothing in comparison.

After the 13 hour flight from San Francisco with a short layover in Washington D.C. we were in France. All but one bag made it in and with a short moment of frustration we waited in the long taxi line outside for a ride into the city. The city was amazing even from the view at the airport. The air was crisp and the sun was shining. We wanted to get a van to fit us and out bags, but that was not going to happen. We crammed into a small car and took to the highway. I was looking for the obvious landmarks, Eiffel Tower or something that stood out, but it was more of a concrete jungle along the road.

Within minutes we were in eyeshot of the city and the Eiffel Tower was in view. We were about 10 plus miles away and it was still the largest building in sight. We drove past the Arc d’Triumph which was an amazing sight that I was going to have to get up next to in the days to follow. We drove down some small city streets and made it to the building we would call home for the next two weeks. The streets in Paris were not originally designed for cars. They were made before cars were invented and its not uncommon to have cars hugging the sidewalks as they drive down the street.

The two apartment we were staying in had a view of the Eiffel Tower which was only a block away from us. The room was nice and well decorated. I didn’t even start unpacking before I started getting things ready to go sight seeing.

Everyday was filled with new sights. We got a boat taxi pass that went along the entire river and had several stops along the way so there was really nothing in the city that was out of walking distance from us. Yes, there was a lot of walking. I think I averaged about 4-12 miles a day. First we went to the Louvre and walked around the massive glass pyramids and around the surrounding area. The streets in Paris are always busy. I’ve never been to New York, but this is what I think of when I hear of a city that never sleeps.

I had a chance to go to Normandy and stand at the memorial of the soldiers that gave it all during WWII. The grounds were amazing and it was a solemn moment to stand in the middle of thousands of white headstones with the names of soldiers who fought the Germans. The worst were grave stones that were littered around the grounds that only said ‘A comrade in arms‘. Names of the troops that could not be identified. War is brutal.

I did get a chance to go back to the Arc. The structure was enormous. We walked up to the top. Yes, the only way up was stairs, and there were a lot of them. From the top I had a great view of the city.

I spent a couple days and many, many hours in the Louvre. This is the largest museum I have ever been to and I got lost on more than one occasion. I don’t think there is any way to see everything the place has to offer in just a couple visits. Even though Dan Brown and his book the Da Vinci Code really did a great job adding some mystery to the museum, there are so many works of art that hold mysteries. The art during the renaissance period was created with many secret meanings. It was a way artists could give political opinions during their time.

Walking around Paris was like being in one entire museum city. It was impossible to go a mile without seeing some statue, ancient building or other piece of art. I was amazed at all of the things to see. I really had no way of expecting this. Even though 10 days was a lot and I did miss home, having the chance to visit France and walk around Paris was well worth it.

All of my pictures are posted on Flickr and my family thinks I take too many. Yes, after the initial 400 pictures, I also thought I was a bit camera happy at moment, but whatever!