‘Paris Was the Landscape of What I Wanted to Be’

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  04.12.12 | 12:51 PM ET

In the latest essay in The Rumpus’ “The Last City I Loved” series, writer Rebekkah Dilts looks back on her time as a foreign student in Paris. Here’s a taste:

Speaking and being spoken to in French, this language that’s like a song, opened a new vein of cognition and a different sensibility in me. Paris was the landscape of what I wanted to be: I wanted to have a history that I believed in fiercely, I wanted for art and words to be acknowledged, but also for softness and aesthetics to be appreciated. And I was embraced by a family again; to feel tenderness and a sense of belonging in the setting of so incredible a city was the greatest gift I could have been given. I felt a unique and profound freedom.

Tags: Why We Travel, Europe, France, Paris, News and Briefs

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


10 Comments for ‘Paris Was the Landscape of What I Wanted to Be’

Jakori 04.12.12 | 1:53 PM ET

Paris is an amazing coutnry. I wish to one day be a exchange student and study there. I have visited it many times and have always had a great time.

Josh Beniditt 04.15.12 | 2:06 AM ET

Paris is awesome, and some day i must visit there with my family.

Jesse 04.17.12 | 2:20 AM ET

I think we share the same idea of how their language is such an interesting feature about France and Paris. Tells more about art and beauty.

Ostsee Kreuzfahrt 04.17.12 | 8:17 AM ET

Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the good spirit.

Kerala 04.21.12 | 5:51 AM ET

Paris is excellent for tourism and the information on this post is quite good. if there are more pics of the location Paris then it looks good.

Rebelfone 05.01.12 | 5:58 AM ET

Well written!
Paris is a beautiful place and great to travel. Language is a certainly a important factor in communication.

tourist places in India 05.08.12 | 1:36 AM ET

hi,
wow super article this because it gives me lot of new information and new thing…

tourist 05.11.12 | 6:12 PM ET

I was in Paris 8 times and I have to tell you that I’m fall in love with this City of Light. I like to read every article about and watch pictures of Paris. Even I made one page about this city   http://www.europetouristsights.com/Colourful traveler/Paris.html

tourist 05.11.12 | 6:14 PM ET

I was in Paris 8 times and I have to tell you that I’m fall in love with this City of Light. I like to read every article about and watch pictures of Paris. Even I made one page about this city   http://www.europetouristsights.com

andaman tour 05.19.12 | 9:15 AM ET

Paris is a one of the most beautiful city of the world and has many tourist attraction to offer.

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