{ Midnight in Paris }

As I write this, the time is 12:23pm in the afternoon on Sunday October 30, and I am at CDG airport in Paris waiting to board my flight back home to Raleigh. These last 6 days of traveling in Paris – alone, doing things that I enjoy, without any other responsibilities – have been magical and much needed.

I have never considered the possibility of traveling alone because there is a huge amount of guilt in using one’s time and money entirely for the benefit of herself. But now, I think I need to do it every year. I am hooked. Not only is it relaxing as you might guess, but it is also good practice to remember how to do things just for you (it is harder than you imagine; took me a couple of days to realize I could do whatever I wanted).

I spent my last day walking around and taking in as much of Paris as I possibly could. I walked over 40,000 steps according to my watch. Finally ending the night with a picnic by the Seine with that perfect view of the river, the bridges, the boats, the people, and of course the Eiffel Tower. The City of Lights was at its best.

As I walked back to my hotel room sometime around midnight, I felt so content and so thankful. And also very ready to be reunited with my family. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, as the saying goes.

Until next time, Au revoir!