The Dream of Getting Lost in Paris

Why I have yet to make the journey to Paris is a mystery to me. A combination of reasons -- timing, expenses, fear, and the fact that if/when I go, I may never return -- have contributed to today's travel resolution. The dream of getting "lost in Paris" still thrives deep within my wanderlusting soul.

I started taking ballet lessons at age three in a dance studio run by an old school French-style ballet genius, a difficult find in smalltown suburb, Ohio. She was in her late 60s when I knew her best, blonde gentle curls, shoulder pads, gold bangling bracelets, cigarette in hand, poodle at foot, propped in her short white director's chair. The piano player pounded away at the keys while we trained at the barre. I was physically there, but mentally, I was in France.

From age three, French positions and terminology were engrained into my daily routine -- plie, rond de jambe, frappe, tour jete! I was destined to study the language in highschool. And I did.

The language entrigued me, almost felt like a part of me I had yet to discover. The more I learned, then more I yearned to see The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and stroll down the Champs-Elysees. But even more than visiting the many tourist attractions you simply must see, my ultimate dream would be to get caught up in everyday life in Paris.

To sip wine and people-watch from a cafe on a bustling avenue and graze on freshly made baguettes, croissants and croque monsieurs would be the perfect day. Follow that up with a walk through the city at night, hand-in-hand with the man I love, gazing at the moonlit City of Lights, and I would be one happy lady. Might as well even throw some rain in the mix. Fine with me. We'd get lost in the beauty of Paris, just reveling in the history, lifestyle and emotion that is undoubtedly French.

Someday.

Until then, I'll watch and rewatch Amelie, Sabrina and Midnight in Paris to get my fix. I'll listen to my Edith Piaf radio station on Pandora, read travel posts, and Google images for Paris.

Oh, to get "lost in Paris" ... I'm sure I'd find another missing piece of myself.

This article (among other things) in NY Times inspired this post.

French bottled water comercial, must see!

FranceGuide

Travel Channel = Ghost Channel

Since when did the Travel Channel become the ghost channel?  I mean, not that I mind ... I've always been into ghost shows, starting with Are You Afraid of the Dark on SNICK back in the '90s.  From there, I've always had a fascination for sci-fi / folklore / paranormal phenomenon-type TV shows. 

But back to Travel Channel ... At any given time of day (it used to be just late-night), you can find a mini-marathon of Ghost Adventures, hosted by the channel's resident frat "nothin' scares me" tough guy.  I like to tell myself that I watch the show for nothing more than to make fun of the guy, which is true ... but I'm actually starting to get hooked to the history and travel aspects of it.  Plus, there are ghost stories involved, which I love. 

The team travels to a different "haunted" location each episode.  Whether it's an abandoned insane assylum, a prison, an ammunition factory or a house that was once part of the underground railroad, the team gets "locked down" in the building all night where they seek out paranormal experiences.  They do their research first by discussing the building's history with local experts and by investigating any deaths that may have occurred there.  They determine which rooms are the most likely to produce any activity through the night in hopes of documenting a response from or sighting of an "intelligent" spirit, as opposed to a residual one.  They mark these places with an "X" during the day, and place a camera on the spot through the night.  There's a lot of hype and a LOT of ghost "taunting".  This is where it gets entertaining. 

The 3 guys use elementary "ghost hunting" devices, not even strong enough to get a solid reading on thermal changes or a distinct voice recording.  Armed with these devices that often lose power as a result of ghosts "sucking" their energy ... the guys taunt the ghosts using historical references and objects that might urge a response.  Yeah, they hear noises, and occasionally get goose bumps, but they never get actual proof.

I suppose it's tough to document paranormal experiences, but you'd think that on the Travel Channel, which should probably have a substantial budget for show-making, they could get them some better equipment.  Either way, you're left wanting more.

The history and ghost stories are more frightening and intriguing than the "findings" they collect, but nonetheless, even with my strong fascination for all things paranormal, you won't find me "locked down" in a supposedly haunted building anytime soon.  I'll just stick with watching the shows on TV and making fun of them so I don't get too scared to sleep at night.