Turning down Paris

Today, I turned down a trip to Paris. Yes, you heard me right, I voluntarily turned down a trip to Paris. If you know me or have read my first post, you probably know that I'm a major francophile. I love France and pretty much everything about it. I majored in French in college, studied abroad in Lyon, completed my master's degree in Paris, and that is where I first knew I wanted to be a writer. The heroines in my books always find a reason to travel to France, whether they're studying abroad, on a last minute business trip, or--the most practical reason yet--they've traveled through time to get there. Living in France has inspired my writing, and my way of life.

Ever since I moved back to the States about five years ago, I have been scheming on ways to get back to that amazing country. I've visited twice since then, and each time has been nothing short of magical. I know, magical? Yes, I'm being serious. I really love it that much.

For me, traveling to France is the ultimate escape, and even though I wasn't born there and am not actually French, I feel most at home when I'm walking around on those cobblestone streets, speaking that gorgeous language. (Not to mention, every trip to France counts as research for my books!)

But still, I had to turn down the trip I was offered to Paris today, mostly for work/scheduling reasons, and it is truly a bummer. So, in honor of my favorite place, I'm enjoying a tall glass of red wine, some cheese and of course, a square (more like a bar) of chocolate:)