Lydia and I just read that it is Free Doughnut Day at home; so while I think making homemade doughnuts might be too lofty of an ambition for today, hopefully everyone at home is enjoying a free treat. Our days in Paris continue to fly by. We’ve been eating lots of crepes and sweets and enjoying the beautiful architecture. I enjoyed a morning run by the Eiffel Tower along the Siene. The weather continues to also be pleasant, although today has been a bit cloudy comparatively. Yesterday we woke very early to beat the crowds at the Palace of Versaille and it was absolutely amazing. Lydia had been dying to visit in the same way that I yearned to see Giverny; but I was pleased to be there as well. The Hall of Mirrors was stunning and the gardens were absolutely beautiful. It really is amazing to see the types of lives the monarchies lived. My camera was not working for the day so we took an adventure to two different electronics stores. Customer service can be difficult while using broken French, but luckily in the second store we found an angel of a man who not only spoke English, but had the tool that we were looking for to fix the problem! My camera was up and running by this morning! Last night we came home rather early and I made eggplant parm for Lydia and our host and it was quite delicious. I miss having my own kitchen to cook in, but regardless I enjoyed myself; cooking has evolved into a very soothing activity for me over the past year or so and it was a great way to spend the evening. This morning we trekked to the top of Montmere and hung out outside of le Sacre Coure. It was beautiful and it was a marvelous view of Paris. We meandered our way down the hill and through the winding streets of the neighborhood; spending lots of money it charming boutiques. If anyone has not become acquainted with my search for the perfect romper it goes something like this… 1. Walk into a shop and find a perfectly cute romper. 2. Try on romper and feel extremely disappointed by its appearance. 3. Repeat for about two years. I have never bought a romper because of how unflattering they seem to be on me; despite how cute they are and how badly I desire one. Until, of course, today. Today was the day I found a romper that was perfect in every which way. I might even go as far as to say that finding it was the highlight of my morning. Lydia and I also bought bracelets and a sweet little shop; the artist of mine was working so I got to meet her which I think is always special. I also stocked up on beautiful post cards to decorate my room when I get to Israel. We wandering the winding streets until we got so tired I felt obligated to check our map. Once we consulted we actively tried finding le Moulin Rouge but walked by the correct street about three different times. Eventually we found it, took obligatory photographs, then embarked on the long metro journey home. Lydia is now napping and I am relaxing before we get ready for our first Parisian Shabbat services and followed by a fancy French dinner.
Giverny yesterday was everything I had always dreamed it would be. Since I was very young and read Linnea in Monet’s Garden I have always wanted to visit Monet’s former home and creative muse. The day was beautiful and sunny. I rented a bike to ride from the Vernon train station to the village and made a horse-friend on the way by sharing my carrots. We bought homemade ice cream as we waited in line and then paid only five euros to enter. The water lillies and the bridge and the little canoe where so perfect. I loved Monet’s home; so colorful and bright. The flowers were in full bloom and so beautifully perfect, even when they were not. I could not have asked for anything better for this trip that I have been waiting to go on for so long.
Wow. Today is almost indescribable. First Kieron brought me to a SGI (Soka Gakkai International) meeting. SGI is the Buddist Association for Peace, Culture, and Education. He had told me how they meditate and chant in Sanskirt, something I am starting to do as part of my yoga practice. Then they have group discussion on a chosen topic. I was excited, especially in light of the meditation and yoga I plan to learn about on this journey, I thought it was the best place to start. We walked in as the chanting ended, we had heard it from the street and it was so beautiful. When we came in everyone welcomed us like old friends and we sat around a small but cozy living room. The energy in the room was so calming, every person without saying a word had an aura of kindness; I instantly trusted them all. The conversation topic, coincidentally enough, was about trust and friendship. An incredible dialogue took place, some about how Buddist chanting has transformed people but also just about life and trusting in one’s self and the universe. The second woman to speak reminded me a lot of Bristol, with her slow but purposeful words. She talked for a while, many of her insights resonated with me. She told a story about how she had been walking to the meeting and a baby bird fell out of a tree and died in front of her. It might seem strange, but it was a sign for me and it made me feel instantly good; knowing that I was meant to be there and hear that story.
I waited almost until the end to take my turn; everyone had such great insight I did not want to interrupt. But a practiced member asked if I had something to add and I said that I did. I told them about my trip, and my transformations over the past year or two, and how the yoga practice has changed my disposition towards life, and tied it all back into trust because I have to tell myself at least a hundred times a day that I need to just trust the universe to provide for me and that I needed to trust Kieron to take me in and Kieron needed to trust me to open his home to us; and how all of those things lead me to the SGI meeting to hear the story about the baby bird and know that I am on the right path, even though it is so hard.
The rest of the day was great right up until a few moments before writing this. We went to the V and A Museum, Lydia and I got to catch up and discuss life over tea in a gorgeous tea room, and we went to the Holocaust exhibit at the Imperial War Museum and got to teach Kieron about the Holocaust. Last, Kieron, Lydia and I just finished cooking dinner. I made stuffed peppers, Kieron made lamb chops (for them) and fish (for me), and we all learned how to make rotti! After such a spiritual and emotional day it was nice to hear their laughter in the kitchen while I watched a sunset out the window of the room next door. Even though this path is hard; its the right one for me.
The days in London are starting to blur like my days in Prague. All the sunshine and walking and bike rides. Our couchsurf host is so phenomenal and we’re hanging out with his surfers who just moved into London a couple weeks ago. Its nice to be surrounded by people and joking around; I think its finally sunk in that I’m leaving for so long. I’m looking forward to having a bed to sleep in, although I’m not sure when that will be. I’ll be sleeping in Kieron’s reclining chair until Tuesday and then I think Nick’s chair for another week and then perhaps a camping tent when I am in Le Moulin. I got to talk to my parents today which was really nice and then took a nap in a park for the remainder of the afternoon. Its just the beginning of the journey and I’m already feeling a little bit tired.
