My memories of Paris

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Like those from across the world, I was glued to the TV watching updates on the tragedy that is the Paris attacks over the weekend.

Unimaginable really; so much destruction to humanity and to the lovely city of mind. My thoughts immediately went into autopilot as I recalled my trip to the City of Lights and passed by the places where the attacks occurred.

Looking at the map I sure did pass by the Bataclan music hall en route to Eiffel Tower by tourist bus.  I was close to this area and I recalled that time as I watched the images of death that were broadcast on TV. 

The sight of cops patrolling the city seems to border on sacrilege to me as I remembered the beauty of the place. I wanted to preserve those memories in my mind for as long as I can.

I loved Paris for it is the city that exceeded my expectations when I first visited it. It transforms and inspires me as I move through the rivers and the streets. It is magical. Paris is truly for travelers and tourists.

As a young girl who loves to read books, I was enamored with the beauty of Paris. I nurtured that love of the city where we can find the Eiffel Tower and landmarks that can only be found in books and magazines.

It took me a lifetime to fulfill my dreams to see Paris and its glory. On that trip I spent the time studying the interior and exterior of buildings. I marveled at the beauty that the architecture of years past had created for past generations and generations to come.

I always looked around absorbing its beauty that often times my travel companion was already vary far from me. Karen and I took time wandering the palace of Versailles formerly inhabited by the kings of France. 

The grandeur is beyond imagination. The cobblestones underneath our feet made foot travel pleasant and I saw the Seine River twice, one on foot and the other on a river cruise.

I passed through the Louvre to see the artifacts of the world and imagining it to be part of the Da Vinci Code. 

I prayed at the Notre Dame cathedral along with other believers. Even the church was a place of old relics that dates back to ancient times that it enriches one's faith.

As we passed by the Arc de Triomphe I remembered Napoleon Bonaparte in my history classes and how he commissioned the building of the arc in 1800. Along with its loveliness and rich history, the Parisians also make every visit enriching.

My friend here in Charlotte, NC Carllyn Francisco Ave described the Parisians as warm. “They’re very easy to talk with,” she said. Another friend Erna Gamones Maagad said the Parisians are warm and friendly.

I didn’t see the warmth that they talked about though store and restaurant attendants were friendly and attentive. I saw that they were busy people that were always in a hurry. 

Carilyn Francisco Ave with her kid

I could not tell though if they’re locals or people like me. Could this be the reason why Paris is an easy target to terrorists? That the Parisians were so occupied and they didn't know that there were people out there planning to kill them?

But that's a long discussion. What I did notice however is that the women in Paris are quite beautiful and glamorous. Ave, who traveled to Paris with her husband JP and two children said they had a great time in Paris.

“I love the vibrancy of the city. It is amazing,” she said. Erna also recalled passing by the places where the attacks occurred and she said it was condemnable what happened.

The place, the food, the people, the culture and history of Paris makes it easily among the most memorable cities on earth. I have no doubt that it will rise from the tragedy and my memories of Paris only serve to strengthen my faith in them regardless of the violence spawned by those who wish to see it destroyed.

Erna Gamones Maagad posing in one of the stores in Paris

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines  is now employed  teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)