Slow Down And Wander. Visit Paris Like An Artist With Cynthia Morris
Paris has so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming if you try to do it all. In this interview, Cynthia Morris talks about how to visit Paris like an artist and how walking and wandering is a great way to see the city in a more relaxed way. We discuss how to manage museum and art gallery overload, how to pay attention to your curiosity and tap into your senses, plus we talk about some of our favorite places in the city. Cynthia Morris is the author of historical fiction as well as travel memoir and creativity books, including Visit Paris Like An Artist. She’s also a coach, speaker and runs workshops in Paris and online. Show notes * Wandering the back streets of Paris, taking it slow and allowing for serendipity * Managing your energy when there is so much to see * Eating and drinking well in Paris with recommendations for resources to find out more * Tapping into your senses in order to see things in a different way * The value of curiosity and slowing down when exploring a new place * Recommended travel books about Paris You can find Cynthia Morris at Originalimpulse.com Transcript of the interview Joanna: Cynthia Morris is the author of historical fiction, as well as travel memoir and creativity books, including Visit Paris Like an Artist. She’s also a coach, speaker, and runs workshops in Paris and online. Welcome, Cynthia. Cynthia: Hi. I’m so glad to be here. Joanna: We’re excited to talk about this today. Why Paris? How did you come to fall in love with the city? Cynthia: To go way back, when I was in high school and had to choose a language to study, I chose French because my grandmother, my mother’s family, is from Louisiana. And the family lore goes that my grandmother was not allowed to speak her native French in school, and she was punished for it. So I took up French as a way to carry on the lineage. And then, instead of being at high school graduation, I was on a plane to France, to study there for three weeks. I got to Paris and fell in love immediately, and then spent a year studying in France. So that’s kind of how I got into it. But then, why do I still love it? The city is such a unique city to me. I’ve been to other cities, but Paris stands out as a real testament to beauty. And also hospitality. There’s such a way that the streets and the way the city is laid out and designed that make it really a place to hang out and just be out on the streets. There are wide sidewalks, lots of green spaces, water fountains, park benches, and then the cafes so that it’s a place where there’s beauty everywhere. You turn every corner, and the buildings are gorgeous. And then there are ways and invitations to pause and linger and enjoy. So, really, the beauty of it is what keeps me going back. Joanna: It’s interesting because I feel like Paris is so famous. People are like, ‘Oh, I want go to Paris.’ But that can actually make it too touristy. What are your tips for getting under the surface of Paris, and doing more than just the Eiffel Tower? Cynthia: It is. It’s a total icon in the world of romanticism, I think. And so, for a long time, I was really chagrined that I was in love with a cliché. But writing Visit Paris Like an Artist really helped me to see how much Paris influenced my life and made me the woman I am today. In terms of getting away from tourism, first, I would say, before you even go, get clear on what kind of trip you want to have. What’s important to you? Is it seeing all the sights, picking them off a list?