A Day in Paris

St.Pancras Station at silly o’clock Thursday 18th January 2023. I mention the date because this was two days after my Mother’s Funeral.

I decided to get out of London to decompress myself after saying good bye to my beloved Mother.

Arriving at Paris Gare Du Nord is very special. Every European city that I’ve travelled to feels different than London. It’s the awaking of a new adventure. My decision to visit Paris was simply to walk, breath, create photos and simply come to terms with myself and sadness.

I love you Paris, words fail me at times to express the depth of my love and passion for this City. I was not born in France, but my family and ancestors are of French origin. My favourite Magicians came from France, my favourite book on Magic was written by Jean Eugene Robert in 1868, I love Aznavour, Distel, Piaf, Doisneau, Cartier Bresson, The Three Musketeers. My soul is French. Everytime I visit, I feel I have come truly home.

My intention with this visit was to create a series of images at Monmartre. It was quite a long walk to this beautiful sight of the Sacred Heart Cathedral “Scare Coure”. Along the way I was just enjoying the scenery, the buildings, and the people. Once I arrived, I was quite enchanted by Monmartre, The Cathedral and the artisan square.

This area has a bohemian feel about it.

There are Cafe’ on every corner, no shortage of Coffee for the intrepid walker.

My walk provided me with a few moments of humour and photo worthy opportunities. Parisians have a gaiety about life.

Life in Paris is pretty chilled.

For me as a traveler, it was lovely observing, being empty to the experience so that I could be filled up with some semblance of joy.

I thought of my mother while walking and I could feel her, she is my Papillon, “my Butterfly”.

No matter where I go, she is with me in spirit - she lives eternally through me now.

Thanks for reading

“Death consists, indeed, in a repeated process of unrobing, or unsheathing. The immortal part of man shakes off from itself, one after the other, its outer casings, and - as the snake from its skin, the butterfly from its chrysalis - emerges from one after another, passing into a higher state of consciousness”.

Annie Besant