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Home » Travel and Love – Remembering What’s Important

Travel and Love – Remembering What’s Important

De Tout Coeur, from Hermes.  A cherished gift from Belovedest.

Today, we leave for Paris.  To say that we’re excited would be accurate, but it’s more of a “warm, thrilled to be able to go away together” kind of excitement, rather than an “OMG WE’RE GOING TO PARIS” kind of thing.  Because it’s every-present in our minds that, a week from today, we’ll be in Paris, but TWO weeks from today, we’ll be back in Chicago, and the vacation will be an accumulation of beautiful memories, credit card bills, and a few gorgeous items we purchased…
Travel is hard – there’s no question.  You’re out of your usual routine, all of your normal “stuff” is either somewhere else completely, or crammed into bags, and for many people, you’re someplace where you don’t understand most of what’s going on around you.  Add in some jet lag, a bit too much rich food, and the unavoidable Stendahl syndrome of seeing too much beauty, and things can get rocky…
I’ve been reading an article about Andre Maurois in the current issue of France-Amerique, and his advice about travel is pretty sage.  He was writing for those from France who were visiting the US, but it works both ways:
“You’ve read, in the course of your trip preparations, a hundred books about America: forget them all.  Travelers are inclined, when they describe a distant country, to exaggerate what’s foreign… You’re going to America, not to the moon.  Don’t freak out…”
(my very loose translation of Maurois)
We’re going on vacation to be together.  To celebrate our anniversary.  To get some rest.  To laugh, hold hands, see beautiful things together, and get to know each other better.  We want to come back from this trip rested, and more in love.
That’s not a complicated agenda, eh?
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03.14.14 33 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sara says

    March 14, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Have a wonderful trip! The weather is lovely but the pollution levels are reaching very high peaks. I hope you don't have asthma or allergies.

    Reply
  2. Cornelia says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:37 am

    Boiled down to its essence, most of life is not that complicated. My husband is much better at this than I am who tends to get more easily frazzled. Enough of my early morning musings… have a wonderful time.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    March 14, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Have a wonderful anniversary trip! My husband and I fly to Amsterdam today and then bus to the German countryside sunday night for some farm related tours, then Berlin. I have been using your ideas for packing

    Reply
  4. librarian2020 says

    March 14, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    Happy Anniversary! I hope you have a wonderful trip.

    Reply
  5. Virginia says

    March 14, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Happy Anniversary. I hope you are taking that lovely silk symbol of your love. Enjoy each other.

    Reply
  6. grechen says

    March 14, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    thank you for this janice – i always get so caught up in the planning for a trip and what to bring, what to wear, etc., etc., that i don't allow myself to get excited about it beforehand. but once we're at our destination, i'm all in, and almost always forget all the stress i put myself through getting ready. and somehow i manage to pack what i need.

    hope you have a lovely trip!!

    Reply
  7. une femme says

    March 14, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Have a wonderful time!!

    Reply
  8. Gail says

    March 14, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    May this celebratory journey be all you wish and more. And, yes, I'm hoping, too, that you packed the red heart scarf. :)

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    March 14, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Welcome in France Janice ! Enjoy your vacation ! The spring is here and it is so sweet…Friendly, Martine.

    Reply
  10. LauraH says

    March 14, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    Bon voyage!

    Reply
  11. Frugal Scholar says

    March 14, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    Wow! "Stendhal syndrome" is a new term for me, though I've been lucky enough to experience it. Sending wishes for a wonderful trip.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      March 14, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      I had not heard of that expression either…but I certainly understand…guess that I why I take so many photos.

      Reply
  12. Sandy at You May Be Wandering says

    March 14, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    So well said, Janice! Have a fabulous trip!!!!

    Reply
  13. CableMad says

    March 14, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    Bon voyage and happy anniversary! I hope you both have a marvelous time in Paris together. :)

    Reply
  14. M.Nancy says

    March 14, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    Just have fun!!

    Reply
  15. hostess of the humble bungalow says

    March 14, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    Enjoy your holiday! I'd love to hear all about it when you get back. I am in the early planning stage of a trip there myself in 2015. Don't forget to stop at Hermes and Laduree!

    Reply
  16. D. A. Wolf says

    March 14, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    This sounds lovely – what a wonderful way to relax and celebrate.

    Reply
  17. Sue says

    March 14, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    Have a wonderful trip and very happy anniversary!

    Reply
  18. JudyC says

    March 14, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    My husband and I leave tomorrow for three weeks in China. I'm super excited to explore new places but I'm just as excited to get so much quality time with my best friend. In our real lives, quality time playing together doesn't happen often enough. Have a wonderful time.

    Reply
    • sisty says

      March 14, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      Bon voyage!

      Reply
  19. cheryl :) says

    March 14, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    Have a completely fantastic trip! :)

    Reply
  20. SanTX says

    March 14, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    Hope your trip is wonderful and you can enjoy every moment of your time away together. We (all your readers) will be looking forward to hearing all about it. Happy Anniversary!

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    March 14, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    You do wonderful work – I love the sweater that is half lace from the previous post. As I'm a sewer I will make one for myself – right colour, size, fabric and shape for my body. I always find something I love in your posts. Who wouldn't love going to Paris. You've earned it. Thanks for your presence in the blogosphere. All the best on your honey-mooney trip.
    Barbara

    Reply
  22. Amy says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Bon Voyage! I hope you have a wonderful time with your Belovedest. The scarf in the photo is beautiful – such a lovely gift to have gotten from someone special.

    Reply
  23. Karen R says

    March 14, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    Happy anniversary! Have a lovely trip. Next week my best friend from grade school days and I will be making a road trip from Texas to her new home in California. Thanks to your blog, I will fret much less over the preparation and be able to enjoy some anticipation for once. Im looking forward to hearing about your fun!

    Reply
  24. vintagefrenchchic says

    March 14, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    Have a terrific time! I love the travel advice…I will need it for my near future.

    Reply
  25. Gaye Rowley says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Bon voyage Janice! Getting to spend time together–in Paris, that most romantic of cities–with no other calls on your time (well, except the rugby match ;=) ) sounds like a perfect way to celebrate your anniversary. Enjoy "de tout coeur"!

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says

    March 15, 2014 at 2:33 am

    My DH came back from a business trip in Spain several years ago and surprised me with an Hermes to add to my collection. His choice was very interesting. It was more classic than any of my previous purchases. Very revealing of his perception of me. I wear it with pride when I give my more important presentations. Yours, too, gives a wonderful and revealing message! —Susan in SLC

    Reply
  27. Annette says

    March 15, 2014 at 3:59 am

    Have a lovely anniversary trip! Perhaps we'll pass one another–we're just a day behind you, also for 2 weeks. Loved yesterday's "dream living room", as it reminds me a bit of our place in Paris and the clothing definitely captures a style I'd like to emulate.

    Reply
  28. Duchesse says

    March 15, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Such a romantic post, and a reminder to any of us on our travels. (Often, in 'destination cities', I have seen couples with their eyes glued to video cameras, recording every instant, but not, it seems, being together.) Not you two, though! Have a marvelous time!

    Reply
  29. minimamaxima.com says

    March 15, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    Have a great trip! I had to look up Stendhal Syndrome after reading your post – so there's a name for that feeling!

    Reply
  30. Anonymous says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:31 am

    Happy Anniversary, Janice. Have a wonderful time with your Belovedest. Diane

    Reply
  31. Eleanorjane says

    March 17, 2014 at 5:23 am

    Your post really resonates as I'm just back from a two week trip to New Zealand and Singapore. I feel suffocated and overwhelmed by the surfeit of luxury goods on display in high end malls in Singapore and in airports. Too much!

    I'm desperately looking forward to just spending time getting my feet back on the ground now that I'm home.

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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