One year ago.

I had lunch the other day with a friend and I lamented that it was just about this time, one year ago, that I was in France experiencing that for the first time. That when you have those moments when you think back on Where was I one year ago today? Or five years. Or ten. And that answer is Paris, you really can't help but be a little sad about that. Unless you happen to be back in Paris or someplace even more exciting. More beautiful. More exotic. What are the chances of that? Is there a place that's better?

I remember walking with kinije. We were out strolling during some unstructured time, doing some exploring before meeting her cousin for supper. I was chainsmoking Gauloises and we had just finished mucking around with our sad, unskilled Français at a postal center—so I can send some of you postcards/you're welcome. I remember stopping and seeing a building so beautiful, historic and insanely over the top that we stopped to look up in a guidebook to identify it.

Palais de Justice. Really? It's a courthouse? And still in use, it seemed. Is it? I'm actually not sure, but I remember standing there with kinije in awe. Thinking about the ugly building back home that I'd have to sit in if and when I get called for jury duty. Where people go on trial for meth possession or to protest moving violations. It seemed so ridiculous. We'll often say, Well, America is a young country.  Okay sure, but it's sad we build government buildings that are so ugly and impermanent. Maybe it's a funding problem. Look, I'm not trying to turn this into a political post. What I am trying to say (and not doing a great job of it) is that here's this work of art that stopped us in our tracks and a hundred French residents walking in and out and around this building like it was just another building. Because it is! The city is full of these beauties. This is their reality.
Anyway, I was picking through my blog this evening to find other things I'd written about my trip to France. Regretfully, there aren't many. The chronology of my photo album suggests that this photo/post with its corresponding revelation was what happened next. I'd estimate less than 15 minutes separated the two. What a blow.
Anyhow, France has been on my mind all week. If any other notable memories come back, I may share them here on Empirical to make up for the lack of posts last year. I'd love to go back and make new memories.