Home, At Last, in the Left Bank of Paris

Moving on Up from Montparnasse

Yesterday, I moved from the 14^th arrondissement and further up the Left Bank. I took one last look out my sprawling balcony view high over Montparnasse. From the hotel window each evening, I could see sudden flashes of hot pink descending over rooftops stacked far in the distance or the beam of the Eiffel Tower swirling around.

Having walked the area for a week now, I can understand how Montparnasse was an inspiration ground for painters and writers. Marc Chagall referred to it as, “this revolution of the eye, this rotation of colours, which spontaneously and astutely merge with one another in a flow of conceived lines.” From La Coupole to La Closerie des Lilas and Art Nouveau to Haussmannian buildings, Monparnasse is a joyous play of history, energy, and architecture. At night, the streets are brimming with students and locals and during the day, the aroma of caramelized butter spills out of award-winning bakeries where students line up between classes for a three-part formule (sandwich, drink, and, of course, dessert).

A New Corner of Paris

But now, I’ve moved into a new neighborhood to call home. This was the area I first fell in love with when I was 18-years-old and pressed my nose against the pâtisserie window a few steps from my hotel, marveling at the delicacy of a miniature charlotte russe topped with bright red, juicy raspberries.

Sitting on my bed, looking at the autumn blossoms my landlord asked me to please water once a month hooked on the railing outside my window, I wonder if some dreams are like paintings etched so deeply in our minds that working towards them is inevitable. My life has changed so much in the last ten years, but what has not, is that unending call to Paris.

With my gratitude to be here, is my awareness I am home.