After a long day of planes, trains and automobiles, I soak & sud in a tub looking out the balcony of our hotel, with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower in sight. I sink deep into relaxation, thinking about this thing called life (ode to Prince), marveling how life can be so different on the other side of the Atlantic. In my third month of attempting to eat better and less, it might be safe to say, that although I've spent the last six days traipsing the streets of London, and now Paris, I may have actually gained weight on this trip. I've definitely put on any fat and inches lost, as I have been celebrating this vacation in croissants, beignets and any other doughy item I can get my hands on. So much for staying away from bread.
Though this trip is my second to Paris, it was my very first time to London, and what a blast I had on leg one (I return on Wednesday). I opted for London over the entrance of the New Year for a few reasons -- the first being that it has been a bucket list item for me to be at Big Ben when the clock strikes twelve, bringing in the New Year--and so that's exactly what I did. It was a dream come true, until I was met with the 100,000 attendees attempting to get back on the Tube at the conclusion of the event. It ended up being about a three mile walk back to my hotel by myself (my traveling companion opted out of the LIVE firework show to watch it on the telly). Have you ever brought the New Year in all by yourself, makeup on point, dressed in Zara's finest with no one to snap so much as a shot? It was actually one of the most joyous New Years to date. I enjoy people. People of all ages, color, races, languages. If I'm in the middle of all that's bright and gay (and by that, I mean people and merry), I am all smiles. The Human Race is a beautiful thing. We may have differences in beliefs, values, traditions, but a smile, laugh or a wave translates the very same message to all--hello, it's nice to see (or meet) you. It's very strange how "right-at-home" I feel in these countries that should be foreign to me. I am happy, enjoy the new friends and can't wait to come back out this way ... sooner than later.
My first trip to Paris was for my birthday twelve years ago--I may have been thinner, but I'm definitely wiser. As for London, the country that waves it's flag of Union Jack has been on my radar for quite some time now. I can remember seeing Princess Diana on the news in the 80's, and from that point on, I was hooked on the royal family. My love for England only grew as I began being raised by the likes of Wham! (I'm still in shock about George Michael), Sting & The Police, Duran Duran, Boy George & The Culture Club, Pet Shop Boys, Queen, David Bowie, B-52's, Oingo Boingo, Richard Blade and The Waitresses (were they English)? This love for England has only grown stronger and years later, long after the death of the People's Princess, I scholastically answered, "I don't know," when my cab driver (driving me to watch "In the Heights," at King's Cross Theatre,) asked me, "What took you so long?"
For me, that was a deeply rooted question. What took me so long? I'll tell you what. Poor planning, deception of the priority/desire of the now, bad choices and fear. What's even better? Seeing history unfold on Netflix's "The Crown." What did I do when I arrived at Buckingham Palace? I squealed with sheer delight like a little girl seeing The Castle at Disneyland for the first time? When I turned 46, I was told this would be my season of firsts. That promise stands true and I am positioned with arms wide open in anticipation for more firsts, though it's taken me to hit my forties to begin doing so.
