This is my favorite place in the whole wide world. To soak in all of Trocadero, I had to look up a lot. At the Eiffel Tower standing still beneath the shifting clouds, at the water shooting out above the fountain, at the people who were everywhere. I felt like a kid.

I look at this picture now, and I realize that it shows the diversity which makes any worldly city great. I must admit, also, that this was a total snapshot. I certainly didn’t intend to make this photo a statement of any kind (especially not in summer of 2012 when I was just a giddy tourist).

Maybe that’s the point, that it takes no effort at all, that anyone can just look and see the colors of Paris naturally on display.

Right now, all I can really say about what’s happening is that I’m sad. And that, I’ll always love Paris. It was my encounter with magic. I know I will see Paris again. I hope it’s soon.