Traveling alone is never boring, that's one thing I have learned for sure. On my first day in Paris without Noelle I encountered some interesting people. I started my day with a walking tour along the Seine, all was peacefull until a 40-something year old man with slicked back hair started walking alongside me and trying to strike up conversation. I tried to ditch him by walking fast, walking slow, stopping to take picture.. but there was just no shaking this guy.. I finally had to be rude and tell him to go away so I could walk alone in peace.
This negative encounter was quickly forgotten when I met Minh and her two sons, Dorian (3) and Raphael (6). We were in line to buy ice cream on this hot day and Minh didn't have enough cash for their three ice creams so I offered to pay the difference. We spent the next hour or so walking through the Jardin des Tuileries and exchanging travel/life stories. She invited me to stay with them at their home, I declined, but agreed to spend the following day with them. She took me to see the nursery school where Dorian and Raphael go and then we proceeded onto Pere Lachaise, the famous cemetrery where Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and many other famous people are burried, I later saw the Bastille, and stayed for dinner at their home. I was so completely shocked by her kindness, hospitality, and for providing me with a look into the French family life.
So often it is the people you meet that really shape your experiences and for this encounter I am thankful and inspired.
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