I Wonder What My Favorite Trip Ever Was...

In honor of super jane and MSO Rin's recent Spring Break trips, I thought we would venture into the world of travel for an entry...

I have traveled to nearly every state in the United States and I was lucky enough to visit St. Lucia for my honeymoon. I love the majestic Grand Canyon, the cool breeze in San Francisco, the sweltering heat of Texas in August, the insanity of the Las Vegas strip and the crisp winters of Kentucky in December. I love Key West's afternoon showers, New York's frenetic pace, and Nebraska's endless fields. I love meeting people from different parts of our country and finding out what makes each place unique. St. Lucia was just Heaven on Earth for many reasons. The biggest reason was that it was an entire week away from any responsibilities and the stress of planning our wedding was over. We could just sit in the pool, drink tropical drinks, and relax. It was a beautiful place with fantastic weather, gorgeous beaches, and the Piton Mountains were stunning. Every place I have visited has left me with a little bit of joy and at least one memory that is burned in my mind, but there has never been a place that I have loved visiting more than Paris. Ah, Paris.

I was lucky enough to visit Paris in November of 2007. My husband was traveling there for work and we used his AMEX points to book my flight. My flight over left a lot to be desired, but once I caught a glimpse of flower carts bursting at the seams with vibrant blooms, of bakeries tempting me with their fresh baked baguettes, and of the Eiffel Tower looming in the distance, I knew I would never be the same. It is a hard thing to describe, really, but visiting Paris changed me. Browsing in shop windows, using the little bit of baby French I know, and photographing Paris in all of its glory made me truly appreciate my life.

The years of 2006 and 2007 were quite stressful for me and my family and visiting Paris at the tail end of that tumultuous time really did teach me to be thankful for everything that I have. Touching the gravestones of people like Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf made me understand how fragile life is and how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people still with me in this crazy world. Skipping to the Eiffel Tower with my husband made me feel so small and yet as if no one had ever been to this place ever before. Standing next to the Venus de Milo and and whispering in the halls of the Louvre made me as awestruck as I have ever been. Running under a street to reach the Arc de Triomphe made me feel like a child again.

Paris is a city that is rich in history, rich in culture, and rich in lessons. I am so lucky and thankful that I was able to visit this city. That I was able to wander its streets and let it whisper to me. That I listened.