Flickr Favorites - Love at First Site

1. Musee d'Orsay Original Paris Fine Art Photography Black and White Photos, 2. ~ le gentilhomme de Paris ~ the gentleman in Paris ~, 3. Metropolitain. Paris.-, 4. Eiffel Tower by night

What's your favorite destination?

That is the theme this week for the flickr favorites over on Artmind's Blog.

My mind wandered back to the many places I've been, and I wondered how I might ever choose a favorite. How about when I was a child and my parents took us to the same camping destination every year? Those trips bring back so many happy memories. Or what about my honey moon in Alaska? While part of the United States, I felt like I was in a totally foreign land. And of course, whose honey moon doesn't bring back more than a few happy memories? What about my trip to Italy? Or my most recent trip to Ireland? That trip will always be special, because that is the trip when we brought home a little extra passenger (due Feb 13).

But my favorite destination will always and forever be Paris.
I went to Paris when I was 19 years old.

I had decided to transfer schools the semester before hand, taking me 6hours away from all my family and friends. I was also in the process of switching to an art degree. A girl who was a mutual friend of one of my own friends suggested we sign up for an art history class that spent a few weeks over in Paris. I didn't really know her, or anyone else in the art department but I always wanted to travel and so I said yes.

The week before we were to leave I developed penumonia. I thought I might not be able to travel. Thankfully, mainly in part to strong antibiotics, I was able to go even though I was still a bit sick.

The plane ride was so long. I couldn't sleep because I was so excited.

Our room had a view of the Eiffel Tower. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Everything about that city fascinated me.

The sites, the sounds, the people, it was like nothing I had ever seen before (mind you, I grew up in a town that had not one single traffic light).

From there I made it to England, Italy, Mexico, Ireland, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and The Cayman Islands. I almost made it to Peru, but graduated just a tiny bit too early (It's on my wish list though!) I don't think I would've made it anywhere if I hadn't decided on a whim to go to Paris with a group of strangers. (who later became the best of friends!)

And I'll always remember Paris as the first, and best, destination I have ever been to.