Fun Memories of travels to Paris, London and Rome in July 2016 ... meeting neat people, staying at hostels, visiting great landmarks, playing guitar, enjoying beer and wine ....
Pic Montage: Keith Guitar Paris Restaurant, Keith London Pub, Keith Scooter Rome Tour, Malta Keyhole View, Keith playing with Paris Subway Musicians.
When I took my first plane flight to London, Paris and Rome in 2016, it was quite a trip in which I took on board my Martin Backpacker Guitar - which I had gotten from the late Advocate Contributing Journalist, Mark Hunter.
I'd never had a beer on a flight before, so I figured that I would relax for the long flight; they didn't have a "Dixie" or whatever it will be called now for this native 'Yat, so I settled for a Michelob!
It was neat that Maryanne, a British native, was seated next to me, so we started up a conversation and found out that she had been a cook for some nuns in the past in her homeland.
Maryanne shared being Catholic like me, so we had a great time sharing many stories of shared devotions and favorite Saints.
I shared with her about the "St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Sisters" whom provide great outreach to the poor in Baton Rouge, where we attend Mass at St. Agnes
How fun it was towards the middle of our flight to sing "Danny Boy" with Maryanne and others ... after we all had had a few too many beers; even the flight attendants joined in with us for a little harmony!
I had fun staying at a hostel in London, meeting other cheerful travelers, and I did check out some of the tips that Maryanne had given to me, including being able to play guitar out in an area by the River Thames near London Bridge where I got to jam with other musicians like folks do at Jackson Square in the French Quarter!
During my stay in London, it was a blast to tour great adventures like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Walk the Thames and take a Ferris Wheel ride on the London Eye with that spectatular view of the area! I chanced upon a cool Happy Hour Pub that had some pretty English gals on pedestals inviting patron in and enjoyed some great strong Fuller's Vintage Ale!
When I had arrived in Paris per using the Chunnel Train from London, it was so cool to chance upon some musicians jamming in the subway. While I couldn't speak a lick of French, they let me join in with my guitar on a tune I could figure out that they were playing ... music is definitely the international music of love and peace!
After settling in another neat hostel in Paris, I just so happened to arrive on the last day of the Tour de France, so I caught a Metro to the Arch de Triomph and got to view the speeding bikers come in to their finish raising some wine in a toast with others!
Later, I found a quaint, romantic restaurant nearby my hostel. The beautiful young waitress for the restaurant came up next to me, offered her advice for an exquisite meal (marinated salmon on cheesed bread) and some great wine.
After some small talk and flirting (Shhh – don't tell my wife, as she wasn't able to make the trip!), she kissed me on my cheek – WOW!!! I was flashed-back to that wonderful old movie, “An American In Paris!”
So I next took out my stringed instrument and sang some songs to the folks around me – they especially liked the “You Are My Sunshine” tune that a former Governor of Louisiana, Jimmie Davis, had written!
The next days in Paris were blessed with fun times at the Eifel Tower, the Louve and attend Mass and go to Confession at the exquisite Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris – before the unfortunate fire in 2019.
On my train ride from Paris to Rome, I befriended some a neat Italian couple who were intrigued about New Orleans, so we had a great time exchanging stories and they alerted me about some great tips for my visit to Rome. They enjoyed my playing “Oh When The Saints Go Marching In” and other tunes with them on my guitar while on that train!
Once again, I had another cool hostel in Rome and was treated every day to some fine breakfast and cafe by Darlenia, a sweet native!
Besides touring many wonderful Churches, including the St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel, touring the Catacombs and the Colliseum, I got to take a Scooter Tour of Rome by a great guide. Wow, I had to be a very defensive driver, as I learned how to navigate the many circular intersections of the Eternal City! I loved the view of St. Peter's at the Keyhole of the Knights of Malta at the Villa del Priorato.
On my plane trip back to the United States from Rome, I chilled out again with a Michelob and made a toast to thank God for the many great adventures I was blessed to have and people to have met.
Keith John Paul Horcasitas, 1133 Knollhaven Drive, BRLA 70810, khorcasitas.yahoo.com, September 27, 2020.
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Pic Montage: Keith Guitar Paris Restaurant, Keith London Pub, Keith Scooter Rome Tour, Malta Keyhole View, Keith playing with Paris Subway Musicians.
