As some of you know, I go to France each summer. There are
those who ask, how did this come about? The short answer is that I spent my
sophomore and junior summers while in college living and studying in France. It
instantly became my other country and continues to be to this day. The
following is a brief chronology of my time there this summer. Part of the
objective of this trip was to see Paris from the eyes of Daniel A. Payne, the
19th century African American clergyman and educator. We have heard
about writers and their travels, i.e. Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast. What would it mean to tour Paris via Payne, a clergyman? I
share some of my trip with you. If you have any comments, please do not
hesitate to contact me (strobert1@embarqmail.com)
17 July
I had a ride to Dulles from Eric Crump and boarded United Airlines #613 for
Paris for a 5:15 PM flight.
20 July
I began my Payne tour by going to Le Jardin et Palais de
Luxembourg. It t was really a nice sunny day. When I walked through the garden,
lo and behold, there was band music from Ambassadors of Music. This was a group
of high school students from Northern Virginia. Afterwards there was a youth
orchestra from the England, just north of London.
July 27
Payne preached at the Methodist Church in Chantilly, France.
I decided to find the church and visit the chateau. It was only a 20 minute train
ride from Paris. I located the church which is now a restaurant. It was only a
short walk from the train station and on the way to the chateau.
28 July
I went to Worms, Germany to visit Heinz and Gudrun (family).
When I arrived at the station (Gare de L’Est) the 7 AM train was cancelled…so
it was off to the office. I was rescheduled to take the train with a change in Karlsruhe,
Germany. That was not a problem, however, I thought I had Heinz and Gudrun’s
telephone number on my iPhone but I didn’t….Thanks to technology, I called my cousin
Esther (his sister) who lives in Seattle, Washington. It was about 9 PM there
when I called. She was wondering from where I was calling…I told her I was callingi from the
train station in Paris waiting for the train to visit her brother. She gave me the telephone number so
that I could call him and tell him that I would arrive an hour later than expected.
It all worked out.
I enjoyed beer at the Hagenbrau gashaus…which has great beer…Heinz, Gudrun,
and I drank there which is on the Rhine. That evening we ate outside at home.
It was overcast and Heinz said it was not going to rain. We began eating and in
the middle of the dinner it started raining…a nice steady rain…so we finished
dinner using three umbrellas in addition to the table umbrella….
29 July
Sunday we had a great German breakfast. We took our time
until it was time to go to the train. I thought I left at 1:15 PM…I got my bags
together and looked at my ticket…the train was leaving at 12:45 and it was
12:15 PM….I told Heinz…we (well Heinz) dashed to the station…I didn’t want to
look at the speedometer as we cruised or flew on the autobahn….We arrived at
12:47 and ran to the gate…the train had not left…whew…I made it back to Paris.
I should say that the trip was short because of so many people traveling that
weekend…I didn’t have a problem on the train to Mannheim, it was the return
trip. There was only one seat left. So, I had no choice but to take it.
1 August
I took a self-guided walking tour of Paris examining and
taking photos of 19th century buildings that were present during
Payne’s time in Paris. It was a long walk that included: L’Arc de Triomphe, Tuilleries gardens, Crédit de Lyon, Gare St. Lazare, Galarie
Lafayette. I will include these and the other sites on a PowerPoint
presentation on Payne in Paris.
3 August
I flew to Helsinki, Finland to meet my friends and
colleagues, Brooks Schramm and Kirsi Stjerna. They were going to attend the
Luther Congress which was going to begin on Sunday afternoon. It was my first
time in Scandinavian country. I took the Finnair Bus from the airport to the
Crown Plaza hotel. Kirsi had texted the bus information.
4 August
We walked around Helsinki. I was intrigued by the market on
the wharf and the Lutheran Cathedral. We also ran into Duane Larson and his
wife. He was also attending the Luther Congress
5 August
I began my last day in Helsinki with a sauna…it was great! I
met Brooks and Kirsi (they only lived two blocks from my hotel) for lunch. I
returned from downtown to make the 3:15 bus to the airport….I will certainly
return to Helsinki.
9 August
I took the train to Girveny, Monet’s home and garden. One is
transported to another part of the creation. It was a terrific visit. After all
these years, I finally made the trip. I kept reflecting on the First Article of
the Creed and Luther’s response. Even with all the tourists, it was still a
tranquil place.
I took Rick Steve’s (the travel writer) advice and returned
to the bus and train to go to Rouen. I had been there about 15 years ago. It is
the place of Jeanne D’Arc’s execution. The cathedral is a magnificent
structure. It is also the home of the Museum of Education.
11 August
I met Patricia LaPlante-Collins (co-ordinator and founder of
Parissoirées for an interview for The Seminary Explores. It took 4 hours…One hour was the interview
and then we at lunch. I met her at 12:15 and left the restaurant at about 4:!5…I
was truly a Parisian Saturday afternoon.
12 August
I gave a short talk on Payne in Paris for Parissoirées which
took place at the Tibetan restaurant. It was well received. Would you believe a
woman told me that she had been on the Gettysburg campus and that her brother
lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania (about 20 miles from Gettysburg).
13 August
I started packing and cleaning the apartment. I bought Mme.
Duguiez (the gardienne) roses. She has been so sympathique. She also told me an
alternative way to get to the airport. I think she appreciated the gift.
Yves (a Parisian friend) called and asked whether I’d be
interested in seeing Lola ( a classic French film from 1960). The movie was
good and interesting in that it was before the tumultuous years in the France.
Afterwards, we feasted on moules-frites at Léon de Bruxelles.
14 August
With my bags packed, I closed the door to the apartment and took
the bus for the airport…I was the third person online. At 12:35 we left the
gate and I was on my way to the U.S.A. I continue to be sad upon leaving France
and yet I am excited about seeing family and close friends.
Josephine Baker stated, “I have two loves, my country and
Paris.” It is true for me, too.
