Good, Better, Random

I had a love affair in Paris.

During my 10 day visit to the city, I visited all the sites that the guidebook says to visit. The best day from that trip is the one that started out as the worst. I'd just spent 2 days in bed at the hotel due to a harsh fever, and I was ready to get back out and see the Paris I was meant to see.

I decided it was the perfect day to head to the Sacré-Cœur, a massive church in the heart of Montmartre with 360 views of the entire city. Terrible at French and directions, I went the wrong way on the metro..twice. When I got there, I trekked up the steep, winding streets to the top of this massive hill, only to discover when I arrived that there was a tram that brings you straight up.

I was incredibly unhappy, exhausted, and hungry.

I sat for a few minutes at the foot of the steps to the church and inhaled the cool winter air to catch my breath. A group of elderly men began to sing what I can only describe as a soothing, yet upbeat French lullaby.

Old fingers strummed chords on the guitar while their voices blended flawlessly together, and brought me back to a state of contentment. I then remembered I was hungry.

Walking to the left of the church to see if I could find a café, I came across a building tucked away, looking quite underwhelming compared to the grandiosity of the Sacré-Cœur.

Curious, I opened the door and encountered a blonde woman at what looked like a host stand. She welcomed me to Espace Dali, a museum with the largest collection of works by Salvador Dali in France...located in a basement.

I walked down the stairs and began drifting from painting to sculpture and back. It was the greatest introduction to an artist that I've experienced to date. I lost all awareness of my body and the fact that I was in a basement with strangers. I became entranced in the work as if Dali himself was whispering his emotions directly in my ear.

I spent hours immersed in the life and essence of Salvador Dali. When I came to, I wandered out of the museum and back onto the streets of Montmartre, and realized I still hadn't eaten.

Now whenever someone asks me the secret to getting the most out of my travels, I always respond, "it's easy...follow your stomach".