Discover Europe’s heart through Dr Molly’s eyes, a transformative adventure sparking love for its enduring charm. The first part takes us to France, exclusively for Different Truths.

There comes a time in your life when, after all your rhetoric on how the world should go, you start the zestful search for the other parts of the world to see and sense it firsthand. Perhaps that lends you the right credentials to speak or write.

Thus, I was allowing my floating self a free abandon in joining a European trip to over 12 countries in a fortnight.

That was the time when Iranian-American tensions escalated over the airspace of Qatar. Missiles were flashing and hitting each other. Qatar was our transit point towards Paris. Luckily, the commotions got under control soon, in our favour.

We were on a group tour, well organised by Santa Monica.

I visited Paris years ago. 

Now, seeing it again. I wondered how the former glow remained, how Paris retained its elegance and grandeur as of yore. I wondered how the crazy, dizzy, exponential modern-day growth has not affected it. Not much of new loading on earth as skyscrapers and monuments.

 But Paris offers the latest in everything in trends, fashions, designs, art, science and literature! 

How their heritages are marvellous! The ancient, time-old Eiffel Tower, Versailles Palace and art galleries.

While at the great Square where once thousands gathered, goaded into notions of equality, fraternity and liberty by the movers and shakers of that time, Voltaire and Rousseau, I saw their statues neatly placed along with those of others in different parts of the square, the streets… They spoke so much about history. 

At Versailles, the once-upon-a-time holiday home of the luxuriant, despotic kings and queens, the relics of their former glory were kept intact. The costumes of Marie Antoinette, the rich, rare tapestries, shining cutlery plates and utensils… all the while, one Queen who retorted with disdain, ” If they don’t have bread, why can’t they eat cakes?” When the poor in throngs supplicated before her, begging for food.

Breathing in and out the air that wafted in through the vast, stretching meadows that surrounded the palace, I wondered how history writes and rewrites itself. 

Painters still sit on the lanes to draw portraits. 

Of course, Paris still is a fine amalgam of rich creativity, finesse, and culture.

We had a delightful cruise through the Seine River that circumvented Paris. The view from the third floor of the Eiffel Tower was also breathtaking. Paris, that sprawls out in all its glory!

We had the taste of a true French meal in the evening. Knowing a country is tasting it too!

Photos by the author

Dr. Molly Joseph

Dr Molly Joseph, a bilingual professor and poet from Kerala, has published 26 books, including 18 poems, two novels, and two storybooks for children. She has edited “A Handbook of Contemporary Ethics” and works for values, global peace, and togetherness. Dr Joseph has won national and international accolades and represents India at SAARC and FOSWAL literature meets. She believes in the power of the word and writes boldly on contemporary matters.