Paris Surprises

One of the charms of Paris is the way she surprises me. Not just once in a while but every day. For instance, there is a Rodin sculpture of Balzac at the intersection of Bd du Montparnasse and Bd Raspail. I frequently stop to look at it, one of my touchstones in Paris. Imagine how I felt once when I couldn't find the statue! I was disoriented, feeling lost, had I come to the wrong place? I walked to the next intersections looking for it and finally realized that the large statue was gone. Later I discovered that it had been taken away for repairs and cleaning. The next year it was back.

Sometimes I can capture these surprises. Walking through the Tuileries is a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Paris. Many people are out walking in this beautiful park. There are two large fountains here and we always stop to sit at the edge of one of them to rest, to think, and to absorb the things going on around us. This time we were greeted by a new sculpture. This stark white dead tree, planted in the lake, outlined by a dark, ready to storm sky was not here the last time I walked through the park. I don't know how long it will be here, so I sit and let it work its magic on me. The seagulls form a constantly changing image around the tree. It was cool for an October day and breezy. The cool breeze on my neck and the contrast between the tree and the dark sky lent an eeriness to the scene. I wanted to stay yet I wanted to leave. This is the image I captured but many more remain in my memory of that day in Paris.