September 27: Last Sunday morning I went for a run along the Seine. It was not really very beneficial to my health because the cobblestones made for lousy footing so I ran slowly, and the cross-streets meant that I had to stop frequently. But I got in a few kilometers and I have another memory of that wonderful city.
And I do love Paris. The aging, decrepit city planner in me understands what makes it so great: the wide sidewalks with a coherent plan for street trees, benches and bus shelters; an integrated and extensive transit system; block after block of mid-rise buildings packed with people and cafes and shops and offices spilling out onto the street; public spaces with fountains or really great public art and vistas along the main streets tying them together; the intensity and congestion of the streets. Public buildings and heritage that isn’t an after-thought. I have a particular fondness for old churches ….
The last night I was there, I went for a walk and tried to savour some of that for the last time. It was bittersweet for me since I knew I didn’t really want to come home. It’s been a wonderful adventure with new places and experiences virtually every day for two months. I didn’t want it to end, but I knew that there were things waiting for me at home that will be equally wonderful and challenging – like becoming a grandfather to twin girls….
This morning I went for a run in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The pavement was smooth and there was no traffic, so I have no excuse for a slow performance. The contrast with Paris could not have been more extreme, and I found myself thinking about the lessons I’ve learned from being away for so long….