Break the Mold in Paris

Stand still and take a moment for yourself. 
Think about your next trip to Paris.

After all, you deserve it.
All that hard work, those late nights and the jazz you put up with
from your boss/neighbor/significant other/kids/you-fill-in-the-blank.

Why Paris?

In Paris, you no longer need to be everyone's favorite problem solver.

- When in Paris, your "problem" is deciding which baguette to start
  your delicious day, the tradition, the ancienne or the compagne?

 - Which world class museum should you go to first, The Rodin or the Carnavalet?
 
- Red, white or rosé?  Bordeaux, Alsace, Provence, Loire.... such a "problem"!


In Paris, there's no need to to check your phone every five minutes,
worried that you might overlook some inane office missive or
Facebook comment from someone you don't even know.

- When in Paris, your phone is your camera - always at hand to record
a beautiful door or the Christmas display at Printemps.

- Email and Facebook are too vanilla when you've got inspiration
by the truckload all day, every day in the City of Light.


In Paris, there's no need to "entertain" yourself with another morning show
interview, makeover or didn't they do that yesterday workout segment -- again.

- When in Paris, the world is right beside you, diverse and beautiful and surprising.

- Entertainment comes in too many packages to count.


In Paris, there's no need to puzzle over what to do this weekend and how to
fit it all in between grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, bookclub & tailgating.

- When in Paris, you'll never run out of new ideas.
  Half the fun is falling into accidental adventures and meeting new people.

- There are no "must do's" and no one gives two cents to find out
what you do for a living or how much money you make.


In Paris, there's no need to fill the gas tank - again.

- When in Paris, you'll love the world class public transportation as well
as the best, most efficient "wheels" ever -- your own two feet.

- The entertainment value alone of the Metro is priceless.


In Paris there's no need to mindlessly watch half-witted network
shows that dull your senses and put you to sleep at 9pm.

- When in Paris, you can watch re-runs of "Friends" in French -
  Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Phoebe & Joey will teach you new language skills.

  - You'll see lots of breasts (totally acceptable here) in the media - 
but really, there's no time for that either, turn off the tv and go outside.


In Paris, there's no need for the bureaucratic tangle of self-sufficiency
you've grown accustomed to, that mantra of autonomy we've learned to chant.

- When in Paris, you'll need help from strangers.
  Delightful dependence on the kindness of those around you -- for help
with the language, with directions, with a nod of encouragement.

- Friendship comes to those who ask.  It will open up your world.

"If you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong."
(Groucho Marx)

Too many people regard travel as an an accomplishment,
a gilded medal, a slide show to share with those they hope to impress.

Take a deep breath and get over yourself.

It's exhausting being you. 
Or at least the "you" you're supposed to be.

In Paris, you can afford to bend the rules.
Break the mold; be more Dali and less Renoir.

Take a chance; ban monotony.
Say NO to humdrum and YES to throwing caution to the wind.

Remember this:
"You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there."
(Edwin Lewis Cole)

Go to Paris and open the door.
You won't return home the same person.....if you break the mold.