“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe Years ago I dreamed of wandering the streets, neighborhoods, museums, and restaurants of Paris with a group of women. I wasn’t sure how it was going to happen, nor the logistics of facilitating such a venture,…
Tag: pilgrimage
My love affair with Paris
My love affair with Paris began in 8th grade. I had this rather odd, quirky French teacher at my high school. He was dramatic, expressive, and could hardly wait for us to ‘fall in love with French’. (And no, I did not fall in love with him). In order to demonstrate the verb, tomber (to…
Reflections on Costa Rica
I stand at the threshold of the gate that leads from the patio of our condo in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. I can smell the ocean: the morning fragrance of sea salt air dancing together with the warm tropical breeze and the symphony of birds chitter-chattering “Bienvenidos, Sharon.” It is early in the morning…
Ode to Paris
Thomas Jefferson wrote about you, dear friend, “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” And so right he was You captured and delighted my heart At the wonderful age of 21, When I stood atop your Tour Eiffel and proclaimed To the wind, ‘I shall return’…
Taking my soul for a stroll in Paris
I’ve been re-reading a favorite book of mine over the past few months: ‘The Art of Pilgrimage’ by Phil Cousineau. I’ve underlined and folded down so many corners on so many pages; the phrase that resonates with me most deeply is, ‘take your soul for a stroll’. What does it feel and look like for…
Sharon Richards 