Hanami in Paris

Before leaving Vancouver, I stopped for a few seconds under every sakura (cherry tree) I saw. Breathing deeply, I tried to take in every scent, every molecule of sweet odor with me. I wanted to savor the delicate aroma of every breath. Since my time in Japan, I have been in love with the smell of sakura. It fills me with a sense of peace, but also of new adventures, since spring often brings with it new growth (many of my best jobs, relationships, etc. have begun in the spring).

I never imagined I'd be sitting under sakura next to Notre Dame, eating a baguette sandwich slightly shaded from the beaming sun. I reserved the idea of hanami (loosely translated as sitting under sakura and having a pinic) for Japan, Kyoto in particular, and more recently Vancouver. I though sakura were unique to the Pacific northern nations.

But no, Paris seems to have it all: beautiful old buildings, colourful gardens in full bloom, ornate churches, museums, and yes, sakura too. The contrast couldn't be more stark. Bold, permanent cement structures, often with incredibly elaborate and ornate decor - light, pink, soft and delicate flowers blowing in the wind. This must be one of Paris's more poetic contrasts.

Je t'aime Paris!

(to be continued)