A month in Paris

After almost two years of almost no travel, I finally boarded a flight for Paris last week, where I will be staying for the next month with my partner, Suzanne. Unlike other people, I don't look to travel as a way to escape from work. In fact, it is when I travel that I find myself becoming more creative, thoughtful, and taking a longer-term view of my career.

Placing myself in the middle of a different culture is uncomfortable yet exciting. In some cases, the culture requires me to adopt new habits. For example, I am definitely eating much more bread and carbohydrates with each meal. I also have been wake up later than I normally would, because nothing is open earlier than 8am. I can also feel myself subconsciously adapting to a slower pace of life, spending more time eating my meals, and opting to walk long distances instead of taking the subway.

One beautiful moment I remember vividly was when I went on a midday jog through the Jardin du Luxembourg. It was a Thursday afternoon, but looking at all the locals enjoying themselves, you would think it's a weekend. I saw old men playing chess against younger challengers, couples enjoying a glass of wine surrounded by blooming flowers, and many folks just sunbathing and reading their books. Despite Paris being one of the most dense and busy cities in Europe, people still find time to enjoy the best parts of life.

My stress levels have dropped significantly. My senses have opened up. They say living in a place changes you, and I can already feel myself being changed for the better.

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