Lynne Martin lives Home Free with her husband, novelist Tim Martin. They are nomadic retirees living abroad internationally with two suitcases, two computers, and the savvy to have a good time wherever they find themselves. Lynne's book Home Sweet Anywhere, will be published April 1, 2014, by Sourcebooks, Inc.
My husband and I just returned from a two week stay in Paris. We rented an apartment a few steps from the Seine and one short bridge away from Notre Dame. Our stone walls were ancient. We had a much coveted garden that we shared with one other apartment. Our mice were friendly!! On the plane ride home I told my husband that Paris is a bit like Oz. You don’t look behind the curtain for the first 3 or 4 days. And then you begin to realize that Paris is a big city with traffic and pollution and problems just like any other city. And in a way that is part of it’s charm. It hides its problems in clear sight. It puffs on its cigarette and looks at you nonchalantly and you can either join in the fun – or go home. We joined in the fun. We walked and saw and experienced everything that Paris has to offer. History is around every corner and, as Americans, we are struck by the shear magnitude of the history! I could have spent the whole two weeks just looking at door knobs. I am so grateful for the two weeks I spent in Paris. I saw it for what it is and I can not wait to go back for more…