Butterfly

This is gonna b the most difficult writing. I m so scared to do injustice to the feelings. The 3 of u, who will forever be in my memory for this experience, this post is for all of u.....

Friday, June 23rd, it began. A long anxious bus journey followed by a real scare, "where is she?". It was my responsibility to make sure she dosen't face ne problems. But then, my Dad would have been so proud of me had i been that responsible.

A toast of french wine marked the proceedings in the most befitting manner.

I shall use these few words as beads and thread them up, for they precisely define this memorable experience of mine. I have to be so very careful u see, a little mistake, and i'll curse myself.

'Mesmerizing' is the first word. Hats off to all those wonderful painters and sculptures. I did not need any prior knowledge of art to appreciate the sheer beauty and experience the resulting weakening. If musee d'orsay was mesmerizing, louvre was captivating. Damn, no comparisons. Its a sin. Moreover, i had the company of an extremely enthusiastic n wonderful 'guide'.

'Subtle' comes next. "Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise". Ne1 who visits this Book Store called the 'Shakespeare and Co', cannot forget this quotation in his lifetime. It was so unnoticeable from a distance that we were asking about its whereabouts, standing just a few metres away from it at Notre Dam. It felt like a sacred place to me. I was too scared to put a wrong foot on some holy object. I might sound stupid, but thats how it was for me. The creaky stairs, the grey typewriter, the touching letters, the smell of old wood... this place is "haven " (i cannot find another suitable word). Many people will agree to this. Atleast i'm sure of a few.

'Ecstasy' is the next bead. U need to stand on the Eiffel Tower, in the same light drizzle and breeze, to know what i mean. Add to it, a visit to one of the noisy bars at St. Michel, n u'll make it simply perfect.

'Great company' is the last 1. It is actually implicit for any memorable experience. The days flew so quickly, that i had to make deliberate attempt to quietly soak up some memories slowly.
The last evening at the Shisha bar was the perfect end to this remarkable journey. I was quiet, short of words, desperately wishing for the time to stop while my ears and eyes were functioning to their maximum, capturing each word n each expression of those 3 people sitting before me, drinking pipe. And those intermittent poem recitals. It was killing!

After a high comes a low. Since i have returned, my mind is so abundant with memories and thoughts that its difficult to do anything. Each moment is flashing before me in fast motion. And i simply cannot help to it.

There was this famous chinese guy who once dreamt of being a butterfly. When he woke up from the dream, he wasnt sure whether he had been dreaming of being a butterfly, or if he was actually a butterfly, dreaming of being a man. This perfectly marks my emotions today. "Was it a dream, or am in one?"

Paris, i will be back. Its a promise.

And finally, thanks to the 3 people, who turned this trip into an unforgettable experience.