I was instantly drawn to the far out African tribal shirt Mike, one of the art students in my 2D class, was sporting that day. It was a simple pullover construction, long sleeved, Africa's colorful answer to the boring tee shirt. The colors were loud and vibrant and "popped" in an amazing dance of intersecting vertical patterns. The shirt demanded immediate attention. "Where did you get that shirt?" I asked, expecting an answer that included a mission to some place like Africa. Mike, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, didn't fit the typical indigenous African. I was surprised to learn that Mike bought it in Paris. He proceeded to tell me exactly where, which was very nice of him. He then asked, "Have you been to Paris yet?" The question caught me off guard. He may as well asked if I had ever gone to the moon. Trying not to sound too "out of it" I nonchalantly answered, "No... not yet," as if that would ever happen. Long ago I had resigned myself to virtual tourism thanks to Rick Steves. I've been all over Europe and never left my sofa.
At that moment I realized a painful discrepancy between my life and Mike's. For some people a trip to Paris was the norm, expected even, like the Grand Tour was once the norm during the late 18th century for aristocrats, the wealthy, and politicians. This pilgrimage to Italy was more than just leisure travel. The purpose was to increase knowledge of literature, the visual arts, architecture, music, theater, history, etc. The trip was an essential part of every well bred person's education. People came from England, France, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Poland, Hungary, and the United States. Italy's allure fueled the revival of classicism, and the popularity of Neoclassical art drove this fascination with Italy. The Grand Tour could take a number of years to complete.
Due to some unexpected, extraordinary circumstances, I'm one booster shot and 23 days away from Paris. I can't believe I just said that.
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