Thursday, July 23, 2009

Paris Wins!


Same Day...Later that Evening


 I had my entire strategy planned.  I would feed Scott a wonderful dinner, and then explain to him that I just HAD to go to Paris.  This plan fell apart however, because I never got to the kitchen.  I was so busy reading, planning, and dreaming, that the time flew.  When I heard the garage open later that evening, my heart skipped a beat.  


This was it...


I was poised on the couch with my laptop, when he came in.  I was going to play it cool, let him change clothes and unwind, before the big presentation.  He walked in to say hi, briefcase still in hand, and with one look at my face, he KNEW something was up.  He smiled, and laughed nervously.


”What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I said.

“Listen, I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re up to something. What is it?”


Okay. Call me crazy, (it’s been done before) but it was like I had an out of body experience.  I immediately broke into tears.  This was not part of the plan, tears have never moved my husband.  He just stared at me with mouth open, as I blubbered my way through.  I probably went on for about 5 minutes explaining my reasoning, airfare, apartment rental, etc, when he just looked at me very deadpan, and said, 

“Cancel the cruise, and book it.”


It was as simple as that.


Once Scott makes a decision, he moves very quickly. Once I make a decision, I second guess myself. Within a few minutes, he was processing flights on the Internet.  I began to panic.  Yes, I wanted to go, but now things were moving at lightening speed.  Fear began to rear it’s ugly head.


Within 2 days, we had the flights booked, an apartment rented, and deposits made.  How strange to see “Moulin Rouge” show up on my Visa bill.  That was the actual name of the transaction used to pay for the apartment.   The name of the area we chose to stay in is called Montmartre. 

Honestly, we chose that area because it was cheaper than others.  We had absolutely no idea what we were in for. This was a classic case of 'the blind leading the blind'. 



{Note: The last time I had chosen lodging off the Internet, it was a disaster.  I chose a hotel in Puerto Rico, from a 2x2 in. photo online. That night, as we leisurely ate dinner downstairs, our room was robbed of all our suitcases. Obviously, my track record wasn't very good...}




                                             

                                                    




4 comments:

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Teri, I know I'm going to love reading this, but I fear it will also make me somewhat sad... Sad that more people don't seem to allow themselves to truly be moved by their dreams and experience truly LIVING -- which most times calls for us to chuck the routine of life and step out of our comfort zone. You two did and it show in every cell of your glowing face, lady! :)

Ruth

TeriGigi/Girl Meets Paris said...

My goal is first, to make people laugh, and second to inspire women like me to "get on with it." You are so right about comfort zone. I'm still learning that sometimes 'comfort zone' can mean 'boring zone'.

All the women I meet in Blogland are SO cool, and they all have come from your blogroll. It's so fun. I feel so blessed to have come across all these creative, fantastic ladies!

Stephanie said...

Teri - You are inspiring me! Lately I've been listening to so many people pulling me in all sorts of directions that are not aligned with what I want to do. I love reading about other people's experiences that have the same dreams as me. Now I want to go back. I never thought another trip there was possible, but I don't know how I could NOT go back. It has such a strong pull on me.

TeriGigi/Girl Meets Paris said...

I never, ever, dreamed we would go back either! It just became a priority. This year especially, it seems so crazy, (economy). My lucky break is that my husband fell it love with it, almost, if not even more, than me.

I asked him the other day, if he ever wished we had the money back we had spent on our trips. He said, "No way. I wouldn't trade those experiences for all the money in the world."

Now that's something!

We treat each trip as if it's our last. I think that's why we spend so much time just walking, and sitting in the various parks. That is Paris at its best.

Good luck with your return!

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