Picture That Inspired Our Story
Photo by: Madelaine Lapointe
New Beginnings en Paris!
Living in a city with millions of
opportunities, I still do not have one idea of what I want to do. After
studying for four years at the University of Toronto, I am left with an arts
degree, majoring in Psychology and having a minor in French. I always thought
at this point in my life, I would have everything figured out, but
unfortunately I have no clue. However, it seems that my two close friends,
Courtney and Jen have their lives put together. Courtney got a job as a teacher
for the upcoming year and Jen is already married and talking about kids. Me?
I’ve been with my boyfriend Chris for two years, and I’m still not sure if it’s
the real thing. I love my job as a tour guide on the Toronto Harbour boats but
honestly, I just want a change.
This morning I wake up to my
boyfriend Chris practically pushing me off the bed. His arms and legs are
sprawled to each corner of the mattress. We might as well just get two beds
already.
"Chris, time to get up, you're
going to be late for work." I remind him, trying not to sound like his
mother.
"I got fired." He
responds as if everything's just perfect.
"Excuse me? What? Why?" I
question, surprised.
"Long story," he mutters,
as he rolls over and pulls the covers over his eyes to block the light.
"Turn off the lights on your way out." He says, as he rolls back to
sleep.
I sigh and turn the lights off.
There is no point in talking to Chris when he's like this. Sometimes Chris is
so difficult to deal with that I just give up on trying.
I begin on my way to work, starting
with riding the subway and continuing with the streetcar that drops me on a
corner close to the harbor. Work is the same old thing everyday, but today it's
nice to be outside and get a breath of fresh air.
To the forecast's surprise, there
was a drastic change in weather and I am allowed to leave work early. I call
Chris to pick me up so I don't need to wait in the pouring rain, but of course,
no answer. I finally get home, looking like a drowned rat, frizzy hair and all.
I open the door and just as I go to call for Chris, I hear someone else calling
his name. Confused I open the door, and to my surprise, I see Chris in bed with
another woman! Tears sting my eyes as I rush out of the apartment, not knowing
where I am going. I hear Chris call my name behind me but it's no use as I am
already halfway out the building and headed to Courtney's house.
"I can't say I am
surprised," Courtney tells me as we both sit in her living room eating
cake. "Chris always seemed like a player to me."
Without anything to say to
Courtney's blunt comment I just sit quietly and try to distract myself in my
piece of cake. Thankfully at that moment Jen runs into the room and comes
straight in to comfort me. She's always better at that than Courtney.
"Tell me everything
sweetie," Jen tells me and I can tell by her tone she will be an excellent
mother.
When I am done telling them all the
events of my whirlwind of a day, Courtney says, "What you need is a
change."
Jen ponders the idea and agrees,
"She's right Tamara, you work so hard you just need a break from
life."
"Like a shopping spree?"
I ask.
"No, not a shopping
spree," Courtney demeaningly tells me.
"A trip Tam. A real adventure.
To figure out what it is you want from life," Jen seamlessly interjects.
I had never really thought much of
travelling as I usually was tied down to school, work or Chris. It was never a
part of my life plan. Then again, neither was a cheating boyfriend. Maybe this
was the change that I needed.
It took me no thought at all to
decide where I wanted to go. Paris was always a dream of mine, from all the
beautiful sights to see, the mouth watering, French food and of course all the
eye candy walking through the streets. However, I never thought my dream of
travelling to Paris would be a reality. Jen insisted that I buy a one-way
ticket, therefore I could take a much time as I needed to find myself. For
someone who has her whole life lined up for her, Jen has a rather spontaneous
personality.
I move my things out of Chris's
apartment and pretty soon I was ready to embark on an incredible adventure.
Courtney hosted a going away party for me, which was the perfect send off for
my new beginning. And after many tears were shed by all of us, the only thing left
to do was board the plane!
I arrive in Paris a day before New
Year's Eve exhausted from a long flight and filled with mixed emotions. I
decide to head back to my hotel room to sleep and get ready for tomorrow's New
Year's Eve adventures.
I find myself waking up the next
morning almost in a panic, questioning if I am actually in the beautiful city
of Paris, or if I’m living some sort of crazy dream. Everything in my life has
changed so quickly that it’s hard for me; the girl who has never really experienced
change to know what to do. I decide to keep an open mind and let the day ahead
of me direct me whichever way it chooses to.
My first step outside in the
daylight is everything I always hoped it to be. The architecture surrounding
me, busy street life and the thousands of places to experience. Tonight for New
Years Eve there are fireworks happening close to my hotel above Hôtel-de-Ville
that I will go to, but for now I think I will walk to Notre Dame and take some
pictures. My body is still a little jet lagged from the 6-hour time difference,
but my mind is wide awake and ready for adventure.
After a long day of walking around
and site seeing, I head back to my hotel to freshen up before I head back out
to get a spot for the fireworks. Usually I wouldn’t be the kind of girl to
dress up or wear make up, but something inside me feels this sudden urge to
have some fun and live a little! I put on my new black sheer top with my
leather high heeled boots, put my hair in a cute, messy low bun, put more than
just mascara on and head out into the city full of light. As I walk through the
streets, I feel like all eyes are on me. It’s amazing when you actually try to
look good just how much your level of confidence goes up. Usually this kind of
attention would make me feel uncomfortable and insecure, but there’s something
new inside of me that is telling me to go and conquer the city. This year I
need to focus on myself and create new beginnings like Courtney and Jen told
me. I finally find a spot to sit amongst several people.
“Bonjour Madame!” a handsome,
green-eyed man next to me began.
“Uhh,” I started, puzzled that he
was talking to me. “Bonjour Monsieur.” I hesitated, remembering I hadn’t really
had a conversation in French yet with anyone here in Paris.
"You're not from here, are
you?" He jokingly questioned with a grin.
"My accents that bad?" I
answered with a laugh to cover my embarrassment.
"No not at all, just
different," He responded softly brushing my hand, "Where are you
from?"
"Toronto... In Canada," I
answered.
"Wow, long trip! What brings
you all the way to Paris?" He questioned moving closer to me. I had never
had a man be genuinely this interested in me before and I began to think to
myself I should play up my look more often!
I talked to this mystery man for
the better part of an hour, both in French and English and before I knew it he
was asking me what my plans were for the evening. I told him I didn't have any
specific plans, so he asked me if I was interested in going along with him. I
obviously agreed and thus began the most magical night I had ever had. It
finally ended with fireworks and a midnight kiss to bring in the new year.
The next day I awoke with a smile
on my face and many memories made. After all the amazing moments we shared last
night, we had come so far but I still didn't know who this guy was, not even
his name. This is the time where I would want Courtney and Jen to be here, but
I suppose a phone call will have to do. I told them everything and they were
even more excited than I was!
"I saw that kiss picture on
Instagram! Who is that guy?"Jen squealed into the phone.
"That's just the thing, we had
the perfect night, but I still have no idea!" I said, not realizing how
disappointed I was until I said it.
"Tam, you need to find him!"
Courtney ordered me.
And I knew she was right. The only
problem was, I had no information, except that he was a chef. I thought to
myself that I had to see him again.
The next couple days I ate out
every meal, trying new restaurants in search of my mystery man. All I needed
was a name. I couldn't stop wondering if he was thinking about me too.
I continued touring around the
beautiful city of Paris making new friends and seeing several amazing
architectural wonders. I loved how the gargoyles each had their own
personalities and some how just fit into every landmark. I was loving Paris but
I still wasn't sure if this is what Jen and Courtney meant with "finding
myself". As much as I wanted to stay here, I decided that this would be my
last night in Paris as I was running low on money and was quite frankly was
very lonely here in Paris. However I decided I would go and explore the
beautiful city one more day.
At the end of the day I was
exhausted from all the walking I had done and a still disappointed that I had
not come across him. I decided to go have a bite to eat at a restaurant right
next to my hotel called Le Drapeau before I went home to start packing up the
life u had made for myself here in Paris. This restaurant had food unlike any I
had ever had! It made me want to stay here and eat here everyday!
Then to my surprise, when I was
paying for my meal at the front desk, I caught a glimpse of a familiar
silhouette.
"Is that the cook?" I
asked the hostess
"Bien oui Madame," she
answered with her perfect French accent.
I reached into my bag and pulled
out 10 of my last euros.
"Could you make sure he gets
this and to tell him the food was amazing!"
The hostess looked at me and
smiled.
"Oui Madame. Bonsoir."
And just as I went to exit, I was
suddenly turned around and I felt the familiar lips against mine. It took me a
few seconds to realize that this was the man I had searched Paris for.
"I thought that was you,"
he began as his eyes gazed into mine. "Please stay, until close and I will
make you dessert, on me."
"I mustn't. I should get back
and pack before I leave tomorrow," I reluctantly declined.
"For Toronto?" he asked,
with obvious disappointment in his eyes.
"Paris is beautiful, but I
don't think I am finding myself here. I should go home," I told him.
"I bet I can change your
mind," he said with his adorable grin. And that was just enough to
convince me.
"Wait here, I'll be back in a
half hour when we close" he assures me. "But before I go, I must know
your name."
I told him it was Tamara and he
told me his was Felipe. And just like that, our lips pressed together again.
Thirty minutes later on the dot I
was rejoined with the wonderful Felipe and two banana splits. The only thing
better than the amazing ice cream was the company I was with. We talked for
hours and I finally learned more about him. At the end of the night he walked
me back to my hotel and just after we shared one last kiss, he softly whispered
to me,
"I couldn't stop thinking
about you."
The next morning my alarm abruptly
woke me up at eight and I realized that I had to pack my things for my flight
in seven hours. I almost forgot about the amazing night I had and the wonderful
man that had made it so spectacular. It was more difficult than I had expected
to leave this little fairytale I had been living the past two weeks. Courtney
had planned to pick me up from the airport and then I'd stay with her seeing as
my old apartment was occupied by my ex boyfriend. I considered stopping by Le Drapeau
and saying goodbye to Felipe, but I thought it would just making leaving that
much more difficult. The time we spent together was like a fairytale but at
some point I have to return to real life.
Once I was in the airport, I
suddenly regretted my decision to not say goodbye to Felipe. Why did I think
that was a good idea? I had connected with him more than I had ever connected
with any of my boyfriends, including Chris. And pretty soon we'd be separated
by the Atlantic Ocean. Tears started to stream down my face. I had finally
realized what I wanted and it was too late.
Finally it was time for me to board
the plane. I wiped the tears from my face one more time and got up from my
seat. Then faintly, almost inaudibly I heard someone call my name. It was so
quiet I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but then I heard it again. I
turned around to see Felipe running towards my gate. He finally caught up to me
and grabbed me and kissed me.
"You can't leave," he
said with his adorable French accent.
"But, this is my flight,"
I told him as a new batch of tears streamed down my face.
"Tamara, this doesn't happen
everyday. I've never felt this way about anyone before. I think," he
stopped, "I think I'm in love with you. "
His words caught me by surprise but
just as suddenly felt so right.
"I think I love you too,"
I said quietly hardly even realizing I felt this way.
"You can't leave. Please
stay," he begged me and I knew at that moment leaving was not an option.
Life has a funny way of treating you
sometimes. You can have a whole plan set up for yourself, but it turns out that
the best things in life are the things that come as a surprise to you. Every
story is waiting to be written, so don't worry about writing it before it
happens. As for myself, I can't wait to see where this amazing story of mine
takes me! So stay tuned!
