Rick's Leap Year: Traveling Inward

During the past few weeks I've spent as much time traveling inward as I have wandering the streets of Paris. Okay, that's not exactly true, but I say this to emphasize that I've been investing more time writing in a journal and contemplating life. Despite having a few more weeks before returning to San Francisco, I'm in a period of transition. My brain oscillates between the wonderful life I am enjoying in Paris and curiosity about the future that lies ahead.

I feel blessed to be able to spend five months in Paris. Michael reminds me of this repeatedly when I speak to him. Unfortunately, we were only able to visit twice during my time in France. But knowing that he and Hugo are only three and a half hours away by train is somehow reassuring. And while I am sad that my time in Paris is coming to an end, I appreciate that I had the strength, courage, ability and naivete to pursue this adventure.

I know the future can be scary, that bad things happen and life provides us with many hurdles and obstacles. But, I'm coming to appreciate the difficult things in life. Don't get me wrong, I don't enjoy them. But slowly I'm learning to appreciate that each obstacle we overcome is a step forward in our lives. Appreciation of my life today is the result of every step, good and bad, that led me to the present..

I do not believe, as is rather popular these days, that everything happens for a reason. I do not believe in what I call "treadmill destiny." I detest the idea that everything, or anything, I do is pre-ordained. Even if it is true, it is too boring to contemplate. Instead, I prefer to believe that I am the proverbial captain of my own destiny, charting a course and making adjustments as I wander the streets of Paris, head to Istanbul or reinvent my life in San Francisco.

Travel nourishes my desire to experience what life has to offer. Though my time in Paris is coming to an end, I know that many future voyages lie ahead.

The large globe on the left depicts the celestial movements around the planet, and the one on the right is the best representation of the planet during the reign of Louis XIV. Note the woman to the lower left.

And away we go...!

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Roof top view from the Institut du Monde Arabe with Notre Dame peeking up behind me.

Institut du Monde Arabe, building exterior. Windows open and close, based on internal temperature of building. Energy conserving idea and architecturally intriguing.