My time in France is best remembered for me by the things that I can only do there.
1)    Only in France can I get lost in Paris or other cities like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, or Nice and feel at ease.  They should call the quartiers or arondissements mazes instead.  Instead of getting the feeling of helplessness someone might get in some parts of these cities I instead get filled with the excitement of adventure.  I spent hours walking aimlessly throughout the city without even knowing I was lost until it was time to go home.
2)      Only in France will I see the most amazing live music performances.  I have yet to experience La Fete de la Musique elsewhere in the world, but I think there will be no need.  The festival at Nanterre, the Jazz Festival at Parc Floral, Maceo Parker at La Defense, this could have only happened in Paris.
3)      Only in France can I pack a baguette, a block of cheese, and a cheap wine from Franprix and know that I am set for my day trip.  Whether it’s going to La Fontaine outside of the city or just pontificating all day on the Pont Des Arts, all you need is a baguette, a block of cheese and a cheap wine from Franprix.  The Pont Des Arts is where I learned that you can sit there and do nothing but be with your friends for countless hours and feel that you have spent your time well; where doing nothing is not boredom but peace.
4)      Only in France can I enjoy the hospitality of a populace who are the most socially aware and accommodating people on the planet.   My host families shared me their whole lives, one family in particular taking me to their chateau in the country for one weekend.  The French friends I made always made me feel a part of their group and made sure I had a great time.  They have become lifelong friends, that I will cherish forever.

5)      Only from France can I smile and at the same time feel a sad yearning to go back.  I grew so much from my time there as a person that I feel indebted to it.  They say that those places will always be there to visit again, but tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.

 

By Benedict Hudson