Discovering the City of Light… and the Riches of Travel
Long before Rosemary and I boarded our flight to France, a close friend of mine unknowingly changed the way I looked at travel.
Years ago, while talking about vacations, my good friend Sean said something that has stayed with me ever since:
“I don’t take vacations to save money.”
At first, it sounded almost humorous. Then I realized exactly what he meant.
Travel isn’t an expense to be avoided—it’s an investment in experiences, memories, and personal growth. That simple statement changed my perspective. Instead of asking, “Can we afford to travel?” I began asking, “Can we afford to miss these opportunities?”
There’s another saying that perfectly captures that philosophy:
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
The older I get, the more I believe that’s true.
The souvenirs eventually find their way onto a shelf. Photographs fill albums and hard drives. But the experiences—the conversations with strangers, the flavors of local cuisine, the breathtaking architecture, the quiet moments shared with someone you love, and the memories created along the way—those become part of who you are.
When Rosemary and I travel, we don’t believe in wasting time. You’ll rarely find us sleeping late or spending an afternoon at the hotel. We prefer to greet the morning before the crowds arrive and continue exploring until the city begins to quiet for the evening. Every day presents another opportunity to discover something unexpected, whether it’s a world-famous landmark or a hidden side street that never appears in a guidebook.
Paris embodied that philosophy perfectly.
From our home base at Le Chat Noir Hotel in Montmartre, just a short walk from the legendary Moulin Rouge, every day became a new adventure. Some moments were grand—standing beneath the Eiffel Tower or admiring the beauty of Sacré-Cœur. Others were wonderfully ordinary: listening to a street musician perform for passing strangers, discovering colorful murals tucked into quiet alleyways, sharing lunch at an open-air café, or simply wandering through neighborhoods where every street seemed worthy of another photograph.
This series, Paris Encounters, isn’t intended to be a traditional travel guide. Instead, it’s an invitation to experience Paris through my lens—not just its iconic landmarks, but the details, people, architecture, history, and everyday moments that give the City of Light its unmistakable character.
Along the way, we’ll explore magnificent cathedrals, world-renowned museums, historic cemeteries, the mysterious catacombs beneath the city, the breathtaking Loire Valley, the celebrated Champagne region, majestic châteaux, and countless streets where the unexpected often became the highlight of the day.
I hope these stories and photographs inspire you to look beyond the postcards and bucket lists. Because sometimes the greatest reward from travel isn’t checking another destination off a map—it’s returning home with a richer appreciation for the world and the memories you’ve created together.
Bienvenue à Paris. Our journey begins now.
Exploring with Rob 