This isn’t a typical love story. It isn’t a sweet romance with two people gazing into each other’s eyes.
The happy ending has yet to happen. A fascination? Yes. My first love. Oui!
Le Début
This is a journey that began with a 4th grade assignment. We were assigned to do a report – in penmanship – on a country chosen by our teacher. My assignment was France.
The next week would consist of walking to the library after school each day. I would have to research encyclopedias, take notes and find some books to check-out from the library.
On Saturday, everything changed – my world expanded with the help of a stranger. A door-to-door Encyclopedia Salesman entered our home. He talked with my parents for hours in the kitchen. I sat entranced, as his sales pitch moved smoothly across the table. I knew it was impossible for our family to own these beautifully bound books with gold lettering.
And then?
The moment I stood up to go outside and play Charlie’s Angels until the street lights came on – it happened.
The Bic pen was drawn from the salesman’s inside suit pocket and the contract was signed.
Two shelves were immediately cleared in the living room of my childhood home – now the special place the encyclopedias would occupy.
My sister and I sat on the orange shag carpet – staring doe eyed at them.
It felt as if we had won the lottery. The Google of my generation – in our home – at my fingertips.
I would not be watching the Partridge Family for the next two weeks.
No Brady Bunch or ABC Afterschool Special for this girl. I devoured everything that was related to France inside those fancy books. I traveled to a place – I now knew I had to visit in person.
This affinity began from an assignment over three decades ago. I have now been wooed.
La continuation……
177 Saturdays until Paris
Do you have a love affair for traveling to any state or country?
Let me know in the comments!
200 Saturdays until Paris 