I’ve said it before- there’s just something about Paris! Yes there is! The romance! The art! The food! The fashion! And there’s just something about France! It has that je ne sais quoi! And maybe, for me, there’s just something about everywhere. This wonderful, wide world is blessed with an unlimited number of perfect, picture-postcard views… and experiences… and moments to remember… and I think I have a gypsy heart that’s made to wander. I was born a nomad… with a hunger for the undiscovered… a need to see what’s beyond in the distance… a postal code unknown. It’s my inner being with a passport for beauty and adventure and meaning. Life is good on the road. There is a freedom there… an empowerment. This is where I belong. Travel enriches you beyond measure and I’m so aware that there’s no way I can see it all in my lifetime. And so I feel a sense of urgency to see as much of the richness and beauty of this world as I can… while I can… and before my strong and capable but human body lets me down more than it already is.

I’ve lived in 6 cities and now been to 52 countries (and pretty much loved them all except 2). I guess that’s a lot… but I have the hunger to visit so many more… even many of the ones that most people would never consider. They say ‘there is no 7 wonders of the world to a child… there is 7000 wonders’. Perhaps I’m like a child in that I see wonder wherever I go. The world is full of wonder and I think the real magic of wonder is not necessarily in the thing or place itself, but in the fact that the more you look for wonder in the world the more the wonder of the world becomes a part of you. I see it everyday- even at home and it’s nourishment for my soul.

We are the only animal on earth, as far as we know, that can be filled with joy at the sight of the blue sky or glistening sea… moved to tears by a sunset or stain glass window or walking amongst ancient trees and listening to the babbling brooks and cascading waterfalls. … that marvels at the stars at night… that feels awe, and humility, at the achievements of our past… the gifts and talents and art that surround us in our present… and what is possible in our future. Wonder defines us as human beings. Our souls are alive if we feed them well with all the astonishments that our world provides. Travel certainly does that for me.

And I see my privilege. I am fully aware that what I have done and will do in the future is a blessing and is not possible for everyone. And I am so grateful. But I do also believe those astonishments are available everywhere… for everyone… if we have the desire, motivation and eyes to see.

Anyway… enough of my random musings. The last six weeks we have travelled through 5 countries… 40 different cities or towns including around 15 Les Plus Beaux villages de France… 5187 kms by train… on 49 seperate trains (and lots of local metro trains in Paris)… plus a few buses and tours and about 100kms by car. We have walked approximately 430 kms and climbed 800 floors. There was a sense of achievement in all of that… sometimes even sheer delight (and relief) that we made it onto the right train after a unrealistically short transfer time… or giddy disbelief at making it from point A to point B in one piece after 14 hours of travel and five train changes… and, of course, the satiating pleasure of a good baguette or croissant… and glass of wine at the end, or sometime along the journey. It is some of these little moments that may not be movie-worthy but are sacred in their own way and certainly memorable along with the staggering beauty of our world.

A few things to note… or to remember from this trip:

Whatever you imagine, France is probably not what you imagine… or is more than you imagine. One of the most beautiful countries in the world, France has an insane amount of diversity… from the Alps to the Mediterranean… from crazy turquoise coastlines to storybook villages, many stunning cities… to medieval views that will set your heart aflutter…

There is always so much to learn from other cultures… part of what is so amazing about travel… and why I don’t tend to travel to places like the US. I love French culture’s seeming ability to value balance and rest with the work hustle. I don’t think we always do that well here- work is too important… busy too glorified. As opposed to our society, I think the French do not believe in maximalism… and that includes the glorification of the work-life “hustle.” And while we have a reputation as laid back Aussies, I think the reality is most often not really like that. We need to take a breath… enjoy that coffee… or chai (actually really looking forward to one of those… not something that seems popular in France)… notice the details of that lace balcony or that light filtering through the trees or whatever it is in life that brings you great joy.

I love the confidence and effortless style of the French… there’s no big lips or lash extensions here as they don’t seem to have the ridiculous and cruel pressure to stay eternally young or the expectation of perfection in their culture that we have here in Australia. They seem to appreciate the perfection in imperfection and focus more on style… and looking good and healthy (and sexy) at any age!

There are worse things than waiting in line for a fresh baked croissant or baguette! Obviously the French do food well… amazing bread and pastries, nougat, pate and foie gras, truffles, duck, crème brûlée… not to mention wine of course. Life revolves around it here! As it should. And there’s no rush!

Yes they do food well… but they don’t do toilets well (opposite of what I commented on after my trip to Japan earlier in the year). When in France, always make sure you carry tissues… and sanitiser.

Always put the plug in the bath if you want it to fill (Anne I’m speaking to you here 😂)

Don’t overpack! Really. And I’m definitely talking to myself here. When you pack- take half of it out and close your bag. It makes life so much easier. And you really don’t need so much stuff. No one cares if you wear the same thing in most of your photos. Next time, I’m travelling light (famous last words).

Life is short and the world is wide. Travel does something really beautiful to your soul that nothing else can. So if it’s possible… just go! The world awaits!

PS- as this is a pretty random blog, there was no specific pictures to go with it. So I thought I would just put in all my favourite streetlight obsession photos 🤷🏼‍♀️