Rue des Martyrs
January 22, 2016
Back Home in the USA
January 29, 2016
Today is my last full day in Paris. Tomorrow I begin the journey back home to California via London and New York. It is with more than the usual sadness that I take my leave of Paris, possibly for the last time. I accomplished my goal to experience all of the sites of the terrorist attacks of 13 November, 2015 and to remember the innocent victims of religious intolerance gone wild. I did not visit the “Stade de France” wher two suicide bombers detonated their vests outside of the stadium although I did view the stadium, empty on my ride into the city from Charles DeGaulle Airport one week ago tomorrow. My strongest memories are of the Bataclan music hall and the many memorial tributes left there for the dead, as well as the memorials in the Place de La Republique. That experience will alter forever my thoughts about Paris but every now and again when walking the streets of Paris, I come across memorials to members of the resistance during World War II who were killed by Nazi extremist and who died for France. In every church in Paris and for that matter all throughout France, one finds memorials to those “Mort pour La France” during WW I. Yet in spite of the sadness of it all, the Parisians and the tourists from all across the globe, continue to experience the exuberance for life that so characterizes this amazing “City of Light.” It is “my” city too and no terrorist can take it away from me. I have selected a few photos to accompany this blog post,
of the more than 1300 that I took. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did in taking them.
4 Comments
Hi Ron….what will we do without your reports from Paris? There was a sensitivity in your word crafting and the eye of a true artiste in your photos. The canvas that tickled my fancy was the one with the bicycles… Reminds me of a photo I once took in Belgium. So you must return to Paris….and once again visit those most poignant sites to see if new, albeit different, life has sprung forth. So more Paris reporting from you is a must!
On a slightly different note, when you get a chance, please fill me in on Costa Rica…the do’s and don’t….the must sees, etc. My daughter Amy, son-in-law John and 8 yr old twin granddaughters are supposed to go during spring break end of March. They travel independently which makes me a bit nervous. I was with them once in Jamaica when John rented a minivan and without a map, drove into the angry Jamaica…the third world Jamaica….opposite of the touristy stuff. Well I must say it was an adrenaline experience. Thus, I am nervous about Costa Rica since they have no plan yet. Amy mentioned something about them renting a car and driving…maybe to some place called Perez Zeledon. Should I expect to get more gray hair?
So not only are you my travelog author, you possibly might be my travel consultant….no wait…my travel prescriber.
Again, thank you for letting many of us live vicariously through you.
Thank you for your kind words about my reporting from Paris. Although I have visited Paris many times in the past, this visit was very different: both sad and inspirational at the same time. I wish that I could be more helpful about Costa Rica but my experience there has been limited to the so-called “central valley” eledon at all but that doesn’t mean it might not be a great place. I wish I could be more helpful. Many people do rent cars and drive here and there but basic precautions like not leaving valuables in parked cars, etc. are good ideas anywhere. I am going to Nicaragua in February so there will be photos etc. from there soon. Best wishes.
Thanks, Ron for your reply… Not sure if you are in London or New York now. As for the possible upcoming trip to Costa Rica by my family minus me, I think I will contact a couple of travel agent friends of mine to get some “things to do” info. Appreciate your good advice about not leaving items in a car….they can get a bit too trusting in that regard. Will look forward to reading of your Nicaragua adventures and viewing that destination through your camera lens which is an instrument to capture your good eye.
Hi ron, jacob gave me your travel blog info and I am perusing through it. So far have enjoyed very much your Paris. The scenes you captured include a poetry that I feel in my heart when I am in paris….the colors, the light the people, the buildings bring to mind the sounds and scents, the appetizing shop windows. When jacob and I travel I shoot photos of things that inspire a poetic feeling in me…and promise myself I will put each trip into a book. You have inspired me with your blog. Thanks for sharing it with us.