"Antici - pation", as Frank N Furter of Rocky Horror fame said.

It was 1975 when I first saw Paris. I was thirteen, and with my Mom on our grand tour of Europe, well, our version of it, in August of that year. The weather was windy, dark, and all around miserable. I remember wandering the streets around our hotel in the morning as my Mom got ready. I remember eating amazing croissants and loving the big bowls of cafe au lait. What can I say, Paris did not enamour me.

May of 1984, I was freshly graduated from university & on my obligatory back-pack tour of Europe with friend Chris. We were in Paris on her birthday, May 20. Again, it was windy, dark and all around miserable. We had met up with my Dad for a few days, who had also decided to do Paris, when I was there. He treated us to the Moulon Rouge, a ride up the Eiffel tour,  a stroll through Notre Dame and a wander around the Paris opera house. Still loved the croissants and bowls of cafe au lait, but not enamored by this city. I know I am in the minority, but there you have it.

October 9, 2010, my Mom and I did a day trip to Paris taking the Eurostar from London. I loved Paris, or perhaps more precisely, I loved the day. It was such fun. Way too much crammed into way too short a time, but we had such a wonderful day. It was sunny, warm and perfect. The kind of weather day that showcased all the best of Paris. A cruise down the seine, lunch on the Eiffel Tower, a run through the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, and there you have it. Not enamoured by Paris, but things were looking up.

So as I pack my bags, and anticipate this next trip to Paris, in honor of my Mom's 75th birthday next week, I am really hoping for sunny weather. Festivities are planned in Giverny and for the actual birthday, and how glorious Monet's gardens would be in the sun.  I admit it, the weather affects how I feel about places. The forecast is not looking encouraging, but, I am holding out hope for a ray of sunshine to brighten up our festivities.

Stay tuned for more thoughts on Paris...