Invisible in Paris?

I'm in Paris - walking the streets, enjoying the scenery, marveling at the architecture and all that's going on in the streets. It's strange to walk around at a place where you don't know a single person, where every person you meet is a stranger and you're not known by anyone. I'm an observer of the life of others, and I'm not observed by anyone. I think I enjoy it though. It's maybe part of my nature. I enjoy being an observer, and being an Anthropologist by education makes it even more interesting - it's my craft - at the same time - is this life? These last days in Paris have made me think about this. Do I really enjoy being invisible? I guess the answer is both yes and no. It's wonderful to observe life - to see people communicate trough words, gestures and deeds. That's easier when I'm at a distance - then I'm able to take in a lot more about the situations, but I'm not there, I'm not feeling, talking or acting. In Paris I really feel invisible - people look away as soon as I look at them, and no one is really approachable. I'm probably like them, looking away - not being open and approachable. Why are we like that? Why are we not able to share more of this life? I'm not sure if I like or dislike being invisible, but maybe there is something to learn from this? A couple of years ago I visited a monastery in Taizé here in France. It did take a day or two to be able to quiet down within and to be able to connect with God through my thoughts and noise within. Traveling is in many ways similar to this, especially when I'm traveling by myself. It takes a day or two to get into the mood and to learn to appreciate the loneliness as a way to quiet down and to listen to my thoughts and to God through my experiences. I've tried to find my way to some of the churches in the city. Yesterday I did light two candles in the Notre Dame de Paris. One of them was for Indian Ruby - and it was nice to be able to let the candles be wordless prayers of love and concern when words are hard to find.


Notre Dame De Paris March 22, 2005. Photo: Norwegianblogger 

Have I connected with God in Paris? I don't know - I feel that the churches are havens of peace in a noisy city, and I have felt called to pray and to meditate while I'm there. The Church of St. Severin in the Quartier Latin was especially a peacefull place today. There was a simple cross made of branches hanging above the altar - it was simple, but powerfull. I was praying, and then my thoughts started to wander - there's so much noise inside of me, but I'm trying to open up. In my mind I'm reaching out to the people I pass by or observe, but there's no response. Is God like that as well in my life? Is He reaching out to me, and I walk by - thinking of Him as an invisible presence that really don't know me? I dare to think that even here, in Paris, I am seen be Him, known by Him and loved by Him - and I hope that this knowledge will be felt as well - I guess this is my prayer for everyone I pass by, and for myself a late night in Paris. That we all are seen by Him - and when we're not seen by anyone, we are loved by the Creator of all things.

I do know that there are few other cities in this world that can compare! Looking forward to explore the city, my inner being and God's ways in the next days - and if you're here in Paris maybe I'll see you. Enjoy life!