She is stored in my memory, as they all are…

The ceiling in The Palais Garnier, The National Opera House located in Paris

I love to travel. For me, travel and discovery are about letting your senses and instincts guide you.  To a degree, letting your day unfold. Meeting people. What’s just around the corner… where is that wonderful aroma coming from? I wonder what that elderly couple in the café are talking about? Take a breath, lift your eyes from the phone and take it in.

Many years ago, my boyfriend at the time called me a vagabond. Not wanting to be in one place for too long. A wanderer. Looking back, he was right. You won’t find me on the tour bus unless I’m going into a war zone.

In the age of Covid -19, when everyone’s movements are curtailed and sheltering in place is our new norm, I value even more that freedom that is temporarily on hold. There is one major change I’ve noticed with travel and discovery over the years. The selfie. The digital world of “Look at me!” Rather than look at where you are. 

I am fascinated by this phenomenon taking place in museums. I understand sharing is in the eye of the beholder… but more and more people click a photo of a masterpiece than take it in with their senses.  

The Mona Lisa is roped off and a museum guard stands vigilant and proudly by her side. I watch him. He watches museum-goers take selfies with their backs to her. Never turning to breathe in the centuries of history that stands before them. They take the photo and move on to the next. Like they’ll look at it when they get home. As I watch, I caught the eye of the guard. As we looked at one another a smile came across our faces. Communicating without a post.  

Here are a few photos of mine. And no, I don’t have any photos of the Mona Lisa. She is stored in my memory, as they all are. Happy Travels!

The best time to visit a museum is late in the day, when all the tours have gone.