Mom continues her thoughts on Paris:

I never realized or really thought about the depth of history in Europe. Our history, while wonderful, is so new in comparison. History here goes back for ages. It makes me weep for the beauty of our shared history. While I have enjoyed freedom, I have never really experienced true war on my soil.

Visiting Normandy, the D-day beaches made a huge impact on me. It was surreal to visit an area where the very ground is still mark by the battles that took place there.  Every Wednesday, here in Paris, there is an air raid testing signal that goes off in case of such an emergency. It is like a weekly reminder that the freedom we all live in is so fragile. I respect the French and others so much for surviving the occupation and for being so grateful for the freedom they now share with us. 

Experiencing Hillsong Church here in Paris has meant so much. I lost sight that I am in a theater where cabarets are held in the evening and instead it becomes a beautiful place of worship. Church here is a place of every nation in the world it seems. Worship is in French and English and although I don't understand a word that is spoken in French, it is worship and my soul knows it.

Until we happened to visit Notre Dame during mass, I had never been to a Catholic Mass. It was stunning. The music, the singing, the incense, although the incense made Alicia a little nauseated. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but appreciated none-the-less. All the the churches and cathedrals have been open and welcoming. Free to roam, absorb, look, take pictures. Purely welcoming. The stained glass windows are enough reason to visit. I've never seen such amazing art-work in stained glass.

With few exceptions, everyone has been so gracious and sometimes flirty and funny. We met so many nice people: a man, Patrick , who when he found out I was heart patient, gave us his card since he is a cardiologist himself and told us to call any time. Another gentleman kindly told us what was going on in the Metro when a line was interrupted. Bus drivers and taxi drivers have all been so gracious. It has been rare that a gentleman has not given up his seat on the bus or Metro for me to sit, even when the car is packed.

Our waiters have been most helpful although language has been a bit of a trial. They truly want to serve us to the best of their ability and with lots of smiles and charades, we make it through. And I have to mention Alicia's vegetable guy who keeps persistently asking for her phone number every time we visit our market. A woman in the metro who was so bothered by the fact that Alicia's ticket didn't work offered one of her own so Alicia could join me on the other side of the turnstile.

The rumors of the French not liking Americans has been totally false. The French people have been most gracious to us.

What don't I like? I don't like the exchange rate right now. But that's not France's fault. I think I love Paris.