The longest day of the year. Bask in the sunshine a bit longer this evening.
On Sunday evening, Simon and I went to the ByTowne Cinema to see Midnight in Paris, a Woody Allen film starring Owen Wilson. It was an entertaining, romantic and light-hearted movie. A great summer flick with soul.
However, beneath the light-heartedness of the movie, there was an underlining weightiness to it. Actually, two: the dream of living in a different epoch; and the dream of living abroad. The one that struck me the most was the latter. Did I want to live in Paris indefinitely after watching the movie? Yes! And my mind was moving at a million miles an hour with flashes of pains aux chocolats every morning (and every afternoon), writing letters in parks, strolling down the street with a weaved basket and buying flowers and cheese... And then, down-to-earth Simon reminded me that I did live in Paris for most of the 2008 summer. Oh, how true. And it was a great experience of quartier (I was in the 19eme arrondissement) , renting a tiny tiny apartment (barely fitting 2 people), but with a great view of Sacré-Coeur. Ah...back into memories... And I remember feeling that after 6 weeks, I was longing for some quiet and space...
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| Monet's Waterlilies at the Orangerie. |
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| A view from the Centre Pompidou |
You who have not been to Paris - go!" -John Ruskin
(quote for June 20th on my page a day calendar, with a picture of Sacré Coeur)
The perpetual interest in living abroad is so innate in me. I'm very happy living where I live, working where I work. I love being close to family and friends. But there's a part of me that just wants to pack my bags (with Simon and Little Munchkin) and live "abroad" (anywhere in Europe and San Francisco) for a few months. Just for a change of environment. I also believe that sometimes you need a change to really appreciate "home".
Well, I'm biased but obviously I think it would be a fabulous idea for you to live in Paris. Or even further south in the glorious land of wine and cheese... ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree and understand. The longer I stay in one place, we have been here since 2003, the more I love it, and the more I feel inclined to mix it up and take on a new adventure....spring is a great time for these discussions it seems! Perhaps we'll see you in the south of France!
ReplyDeleteSabrina
Jen misquotes me in this post. Down-to-earth??! My nickname should be "up-to-sky" Simon. :P
ReplyDelete:)
I felt EXACTLY the same way after the movie. Except that I have never lived in Paris (only visited for 2 days) so the desire is even stronger to carve out a little living space there, even if it only for a little while.
ReplyDeleteIt was so lovely running into you there and seeing the movie together. And of course, meeting your sweet Simon.
Looking forward to Sunday!
I too feel the pull of the romance of living abroad. Rich and I talk about it not infrequently, and we're always in earnest when we discuss how if an opportunity arose, it would be stupid not to take it!
ReplyDeleteI think I could happily live abroad...for awhile. For me, being close to family and friends is paramount to feeling at "home." I know I could have an adventure in London or New York for a year or two, but I think I could only enjoy it if I knew it was finite, and that one day I would return.
It's reinforced when friends visit from elsewhere. I wandered the leafy streets and shops of my neighbourhood with my dear friend Andrea and her daughter this morning. She lives in Florida now and has a lovely life there, but she was completely charmed by my little village within Toronto, and voiced how much she missed being in here. As wonderful as an adventure elsewhere would be, I am grateful to call home where I do :)