I'm visiting a huge park in Paris with all sorts of rides and amusements for children. All the kids are in school today, so we have the place to ourselves. This trip (I wouldn't call it a vacation) was the perfect escape from my life at that point. My longtime boyfriend had left me for someone else and three months later I lost my job. John and his French-speaking friends had already planned the trip so when he invited me to join them, I jumped at the chance. One of the best things I ever did.