Jamie | Day 19: Lessons from the streets of Paris

…the whole of Paris is a vast university of Art, Literature and Music…it is worth anyone’s while to dally here for years. Paris is a seminar, a post-graduate course in Everything.  -James Thurber

After many rich conversations about emerging collaborative businesses, open data in government and community, the idea of openness seems to resurface constantly, but I was surprised at how often the idea came up on today’s Vayable experience through the Latin Quarter.  

The theme of secrecy versus transparency shows itself constantly here.  Parisians love secrets. Parties are only as cool as they are secret. Who you’re seeing or what you’re doing for the weekend is treated with secrecy.  The air of mystery seems to be a critical part of Parisian culture that keeps its authenticity in tact.  And yet, the secrets kept here seem to be only as valuable as their ability to be discovered.  

As the misfit group of about 12 of us (French, Germans, Belgians and me) walked through Notre Dame and into the over-trodden streets of the left bank, I began to cringe in reflex to being that American tourist.   We crossed the Seine and stopped right in front of the famous bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, where more tourists were taking photos than thumbed through books.

“Why is Shakespeare and Company important?” Cristián asked us.  

“Because it’s where the tourists go,” I responded.  

“Why do the tourists go here?” he asked.  I had no idea.  No one did.  I realized that I’d developed this huge aversion to a place without knowing why.  

As it turns out, the store is still family-operated and has been from the beginning. It has a rich history of providing a home to writers in exchange for working in the shop and reading books.  Its walls, lined with English-language books, have provided a home for literary expats in Paris for generations.  I began to feel my mind opening up. 

A few blocks away we stopped at Rue Dante, where Dante had come to recite poetry in Latin, because it was the universal language among academics of its time, it became the namesake of the neighborhood and tells its rich history of education and cross-cultural exchange.  The day continued like this – learning the stories of world-famous sites as we passed through them.  

I realized that getting off the beaten path isn’t about departing a physical space, but a state of mind.  Being open to discovering something new and allow a sight or a story to change how you see the rest of the world is what getting off the beaten path is all about.  It’s ultimately about being open to discovering secrets.

Who did you meet?

I went on an amazing Vayable experience learning about the history of the Latin Quarter with Cristián.  He used to be a tour guide and his knowledge of the Latin Quarter coupled with his passion for the history of Paris and his charisma made him one of the best tour guides I’d ever met.  He is busy now with other projects, but he says he leads these special tours once in a while in someone’s honor, and I was humbled and fortunate to learn that he’d done this for me.  Several people showed up, including Annisia, the co-founder of Djump and her friend Judith, who is currently doing her residency.   I also met a bunch of very friendly people (and future Paris Insiders!) on a rooftop in Montmartre.

What interaction stood out most and why?
Learning about the history of the Latin Quarter and the history of higher education in Paris was by far one of the most meaningful and inspiring ways to spend an afternoon.  It was magical how Cristian weaved together this narrative in such an animated and engaging way.  I truly felt like I was living history.

What was the biggest challenge?
Figuring out how to tie up this experience with a bow when I feel like it’s only just beginning. 

What new ideas did you have?
There are so many amazing connections and friendships that emerge from Vayable experiences – it would be so great to find more ways to keep the connection even after the experience takes place.  

What did you discover about yourself?
I forgot how much I love learning and learning about learning.  It’s so humbling to remember constantly how little we actually know and how much more we can always expand our minds. 

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?
Vayable is so much more than a product and a community, it’s an approach to life and discovery. It’s beyond a commitment, but an undying need to shift perspective for the sake of learning more about oneself and about life. 

How’s the team doing?
The team has all departed and I think eager to return home after this adventure.