This is fabulous writing, Mikey. I suspect the risk is heightened because there’s the Paris that sings loudly of its glamour through recognisable sights and sounds, and there is the Paris of your imaginings in side streets and off the beaten track arrondissements. You must go, of course. Perhaps entrust your imaginings to guides such as Samuél Lopez Barrantes or John Baxter.
Hey Mikey, this is such an awesome and vivid depiction of irrealis moods and your irrealis Paris. I once had those ideas or frames of Paris in my mind as well. I dreamed of being on top of the Eiffel tower in a black/white striped turtleneck with a barrete on my head and a baguette in hand taking a video or photo of myself. But when I first got to Paris a couple of years ago, my snapshot of what I envisioned I would have was completely different. While the art, beauty, and monuments of Paris remained the same, my priorities when I entered the city changed. Instead of doing the typical "Parisian things" that people imagine, I just wanted to eat good food, sit somewhere peaceful, and take in the scenery. And to be honest, that was one of the most magical experiences of my life. I say all of that to say, sometimes our Irrealis Paris can change once we ultimately get there. Thank you for posting this :)
Oh, yes, definitely, reality will change the imagined! But what you are saying, Khadejah, is very beautiful: you kept the landmarks for the imagination, but treated yourself to the real when you were actually there. That's I think the meaning of "getting the best of both worlds." :)
I love this and can empathize 100%. I’ve never come across the term “irrealis moods,” but have experienced this idea of forecasting so much meaning and energy into a place I’ve never been and then subsequently been disappointed when I actually visited. Although I agree with @feasts and fables; you never know how the real thing might even expand your Paris Irrealis!
This is fabulous writing, Mikey. I suspect the risk is heightened because there’s the Paris that sings loudly of its glamour through recognisable sights and sounds, and there is the Paris of your imaginings in side streets and off the beaten track arrondissements. You must go, of course. Perhaps entrust your imaginings to guides such as Samuél Lopez Barrantes or John Baxter.
Hey Mikey, this is such an awesome and vivid depiction of irrealis moods and your irrealis Paris. I once had those ideas or frames of Paris in my mind as well. I dreamed of being on top of the Eiffel tower in a black/white striped turtleneck with a barrete on my head and a baguette in hand taking a video or photo of myself. But when I first got to Paris a couple of years ago, my snapshot of what I envisioned I would have was completely different. While the art, beauty, and monuments of Paris remained the same, my priorities when I entered the city changed. Instead of doing the typical "Parisian things" that people imagine, I just wanted to eat good food, sit somewhere peaceful, and take in the scenery. And to be honest, that was one of the most magical experiences of my life. I say all of that to say, sometimes our Irrealis Paris can change once we ultimately get there. Thank you for posting this :)
Oh, yes, definitely, reality will change the imagined! But what you are saying, Khadejah, is very beautiful: you kept the landmarks for the imagination, but treated yourself to the real when you were actually there. That's I think the meaning of "getting the best of both worlds." :)
Thank you Zoe, that’s exactly how I view it! And it makes me want to go back and experience it again! :)
I love this and can empathize 100%. I’ve never come across the term “irrealis moods,” but have experienced this idea of forecasting so much meaning and energy into a place I’ve never been and then subsequently been disappointed when I actually visited. Although I agree with @feasts and fables; you never know how the real thing might even expand your Paris Irrealis!
Bravo!