Top 6 Things to see in France
Yes, yes, go see the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musee d'Orsay and all that stuff. But if you really want to see France, see these things:
See how a complete stranger will leave a café, meet your eyes, and say bonjour or au revoir as if they’ve known you for years, a gesture of unexpected kindness, making you feel as if you belong in that cafe, in that city, in that country. See what it looks like to appreciate your neighbors.
See the middle aged man smoking a cigarette in a cafe, wearing navy-on-navy, hair flowing, backlight by a setting golden sun, plume of smoke glowing like an aura, people watching, alternating between a puff of smoke and sip of wine; as if there are no problems in the world, and nothing matters more than this moment of ephemeral bliss; all for him to repeat it the day after, and the day after that, and after that, ad infinitum. See what it looks like to truly enjoy life.
See the septuagenarian leaning back against a column in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of the officially designated Most Beautiful villages in France, watching over the tourists in his town, appreciating their appreciation, knowing that while they have the town for the night, he has it every night. See what it looks like to have real, genuine, pride for your country.
See how men embrace each other when meeting or saying goodbye, the light touch on the arm, the kiss on the cheek, a smile that reaches the eyes. See what it looks like to see unabashed love for a friend, easily shown affection to the same sex, unbridled by the delicate masculinity of America. See what love looks like.
Watch the amateur biker pedal his way up the Col du Galibier, replicating a grueling stage of the Tour de France, veins in his calves bulging, his jersey zipped open, each pedal an act of defiance against gravity and his own bodies burning desire to stop. Watch as he reaches the peak of the mountain and crosses the chalet serving espressos to the motorcycle riders, who applaud with enthusiasm each rider that crosses them. See the camaraderie of the French and their brotherly love.
Watch how the motorcyclist comes to a blind corner and decides to overtake the car ahead of him; watch how he sidles up, how the car moves to the right to give him room, how he zips in front and dangles his right leg off the footpeg in a sign of thankfulness. Watch how there is no honking, no road rage, no anger in the relationship between motorists. See the fluidity and flexibility of the French.
Ignore the sights, there is so much more to see.