It has taken me over three weeks to gain the perspective to write about Paris. Even now, I am tempted to compose the usual blather, stuff you could read in a guidebook if you chose to. Back in Canada, we made the decision to come here arbitrarily, by sticking a pushpin into the map of Europe. Together and separately, we had been to Paris a total of five times, spanning four decades, three seasons, and two marriages. This time, we wanted the adventure of living here, away from the comfort and predictability of home, in order to deepen our understanding of the experience. So instead of rewording what's glorious and eternal about Paris, I will try to sort out what makes this visit different from the others. Mainly, we impress ourselves with our own proficiency. On
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