How many "Earth Angels" have you come across? You know, those wonderful people that seem to come out of nowhere when you're lost, stuck or just need some help. They are disguised as all kinds of "people" but I never end up thinking of them that way when all is said and done; to me they are Earth Angels who will be remembered by you long after they've forgotten all about what they did for you.
I wanted to share a little more of my trip and to tell you about one particular Earth Angel that I came across; this one was posing as a French man who ran a train station. But I have to back up so you can see how we got to him:
It was our second day in Paris and I had scheduled a tour. Not a "normal" tour, I had wanted a personalized tour where I could choose what I wanted to see or just go with his recommendations. I had typed in Google before I left "Personalized Paris Tours" and there he was, a man named Anthony who seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. His website said he took you by foot and on the Metro and either he or you or both could set the day. Bingo! A few emails later and he was confirmed. I had no idea how old he was and I assumed he was from France but I couldn't think of a better way to get "introduced" to a city then by someone that lives there.
Anthony arrived at our hotel at exactly 9am and after about 5 minutes was like a long lost cousin. He was a man from Phoenix who had worked in Paris for a short time and loved it; his company offered him a transfer and he grabbed the opportunity. After three years he was now a citizen there and very, very happy living there. He toured the city so many times he eventually quit his job and focused on giving tours---of which I don't think he will ever tire of. He meets some wonderful clients and can't get enough of that lovely city. Truly someone that was living a life they loved.
After having visited the Louvre and Museum D'Orsay the day before I knew exactly where I wanted to go....not a usual request and there are only a few tours there on the weekends but I have always been fascinated by Van Gogh, his life and his incredible artwork. I've read many books and many theories about him and I wanted to go to the place that he lived at the end of his life, a province of Paris called Auvers-Sur-Oise, where he had done many paintings and spent his last years. This was an unusual request for Anthony and he himself had never been there.
Going to the Metro we found it was quite far, three changes on the Metro and two trains. He asked if I were sure because he could show us so much but I had my heart set on it. So off we went, talking all the while and learning about anything we wanted to know about what else to see, about French life, things we never would have known. After finally arriving a few hours later at the first train stop and now well out of Paris, we were in a small Province and the train station looked deserted. There were no cars, no people and Anthony went to ask the one person working there when the next train would be along.
When he came back he looked dismayed; because we were in such a small town and it wasn't a weekend there wouldn't be another train until 6pm, long after Van Gogh's old home and the church would be closed. We discussed our options but there didn't seem to be many when I asked if we could get a taxi. We were SO close! Anthony was discussing it with this gentleman at the train station and finally relayed to us that a taxi would not come; they would have to make a special trip and would not be willing to do that. We could catch a train and take the Metro back to Paris, he said.
Our "Earth Angel" looked at my crestfallen face and started making calls. One after another and I asked Anthony what he was doing; he was calling cab companies trying to find someone who would accommodate us. And not having much luck. HE CALLED EIGHT PLACES AND FINALLY FOUND A DRIVER WOULD WOULD BE WILLING TO COME AND GET US AND TAKE US THERE. And this wonderful man was as happy and excited as I was! I wondered later how many people would have done that for total strangers but oddly enough I can think of more then a few times people have gone above and beyond to help you and I have tried to do the same for others.
A cab came a little while later, we saw (and I was fascinated) where he last lived, the church he had painted, the cemetary where he is buried next to his beloved brother, Theo. And a lovely little town that he was enchanted with. On the way home we went to Monmarte (probably my favorite place, I went back on another day with it's artists, restaurants and pure Energy!) and our "day tour" with Anthony which began at 9AM ended at midnight; he even insisted on seeing us back to the hotel. I could NOT have met more wonderful people and will keep in touch with Anthony who I would use again and recommend in a heartbeat. Anthony can be reached at anthony@atkielski.com It was a magical day and night. Here are a few shots:
Oh, btw, because the Louvre has had Feng Shui requested by the French Government, there is a widespread interest and belief in it in France. They had requested it because although they kept adding to it, it kept falling into disrepair. the Pyramid was created because if you stand in the middle of it and look up, you can see all the new parts that were added together; it INTENTIONALLY connected the new parts and architectural styles. It has not had any problems since this was done.
A shot of Auvers-Sur-Oise, the "town" Van Gogh last lived in and where our "Earth Angel" finally got us to.
If you like Van Gogh's paintings, this church may look familiar.
The modest headstones of Van Gogh and Theo who passed only three months later. His wife wished that he be buried next to his beloved brother.
The wonderful town of Monmarte; it is crowded no matter what time you go and full of Energy!
We met many wonderful people but none who worked as hard to help us; and in a sort of "Pay it Forward" I gave my card to a French person who is waiting for the day she can come to New York so I can show her around. Have you had Earth Angels? Or been one for someone?
Carole, What a beautiful, touching and fascinating story ! Reading it makes me want to book a flight to Paris immediately.
Anthony sounds like he definitely was heaven-sent ! If I ever go there, I will look him up. What an interesting and wonderful job to have. The pictures are lovely. I've always been a great admirer of Van Gogh as well and found the pics you took of his town, etc seemed to suit him perfectly. I could sense the energy you spoke of in Monmarte just by looking at the picture.
Thank you for such a fascinating story ...I look forward to hearing more about your trip. And yes, I have had some earth angels in my life too....quite a number actually. A few who literally saved my life.
Jo
Oh Carole,
That is a beautiful story, wish my visit to Paris had been more "personal"--I was with a group of 8 and we did the usual tours with some days just to wander around. I am bookmarking this and you can bet, if I ever get back Anthony will hear from me.
Yes, we encounter angels every day--but most of us do not think of them as angels just as someone who did something nice for us.
Your photos are marvelous, thank you for sharing.
Hi Carole- thanks for sharing...we have a brief ANGEL story as well....
True Story...When Grace's Mom Died,,,,(tragic accident in Downtown Chicago where a driver accelerated thru a crowd of pedestrians crossing Randolph Street killed 3, injured 12 or more...)
she had nightmares of guilt that her mom died alone.....
3 months later she rec/d a letter in the mail from a man who was at the scene and covered her mom with his jacket and assured her help was coming soon.....he left his phone number in the note and Grace called to thank him...he said he was also plagued by a dream that family would want to know she was not alone....
when she called back a second time to get his address to send him something- the line was no longer in service?
he had an Irish brogue and said he was just in town visiting for a short time.....
maybe Heaven called him back to do another good deed elsewhere :)
WOW it looks like you had an amazing time. HOW IS PARIS is it really the city of LOVE? It looks beautiful
Phyllis Pafumi
Jo, Don't book without me, I'd go back in a heartbeat :) I waited so long for it and it was worth every single second, when you go (not IF), you will love it as much as I did! I would love you to post about your "earth angels" some day.
Sharon, I do try to help people when I see something is wrong but don't think I'm an earth angel, I think anyone would.....I would hope so, anyway. They ARE all around us, just disguised as people :) Thank you for your comment.
Laurie, Thank you for the nice comment and for sharing your amazing story! I wonder if it was the driver that was your "earth angel" or whatever (or whoever) called to him to change lanes at the same moment! Sounds like you have someone wonderful watching over you.
Cynthia, Anthony was truly a friend I just hadn't met yet....I too, went on some of the tours that were larger and this was SO much nicer! And had it not been for that wonderful person at the train station, I would not have gotten where I wanted so much to go. Thanks for your comment.
Sally, I'm sure you meet the people you are supposed to meet. If it weren't for Anthony, actually, I wouldn't have gone to Monmarte that evening as it had already been a long day. He kept telling me I would LOVE it---and I absolutely did, woke me right up :) Thank you for your comment.
Jeff & Grace, Thank you for stopping by and thank you for sharing that amazing story! I am so sorry to hear about Grace's tragic loss but you surely did have an Angel of one kind or another come to you to help in the grief. And to know that she wasn't alone. I believe we have Earth Angels and Guardian Angels to watch over us.
Cheryl, You are absolutely right, you can change someones entire day with a simple act of kindness that costs you nothing. It's a wonderful thought and I hope people remember your comment. Thank you for stopping by.
Phyllis, Paris is very romantic, you can't take your eyes off the Eifel tower and the Seine river is lovely.....I would have to say it sure is the city of Love! Thanks for your comment.
Carole, I would love to see this post at the Heritage Properties group. If you have a chance, will you please post it there ? I'd like to feature it.
Thanks a bunch
Jo
So happy to see that your post is going to get a feature at Heritage Properties group, don't you just love Jo?
Pamela, Thank you, it is wonderful to hear that you have been an Earth Angel to someone; they will never, ever forget you. And we never forget the ones that come into our lives to help and assist. They are a gift---from somewhere.
Barbara-Jo, Thank you for stopping by and commenting. It was an amazing trip from start to finish :)
Carole..this is so thought provoking...I actually believe I was guided by an Earth Angel many years ago.
A friend and I had rented a cottage for a week during school vacation...we had each met young men and on evening I was out with the guy I liked and all of a sudden I had the strong feeling that I had to return to the cottage..he was angry but finally agreed to drive me back...as we pulled up a man ran from the cottage followed by my friend in tears. Her young man...had tried to attack her but stopped and fled when he heard us pull up.
she kept asking me ...why did you come back. why? I just told her that something told me I had to!
I absolutely believe in Earth Angels. I encountered one when I was about 17 years old. My tire blew out on the expressway at night while I was driving somewhere with my best friend. The hazards weren't working and my car was stalled in the middle lane. We were so naive that we stood behind the car waiving and jumping up and down so cars wouldn't hit ours. Because it was night, the darkness hid the car from other drivers until they were almost upon it, swerving out of the lane at the last minute. My friend and I were in extreme panic. We could have been killed.
Suddenly, a man appeared out of nowhere. I don't know how he had the time to stop since you could only see us when you were almost on us while you would be driving 65 mph. He started my car and drove it to the side of the expressway. He was dressed in a suit, but he so kindly changed my tire. He said that he had daughters and couldn't imagine them being left in a situation like us with no one helping them.
I truly believe God didn't think it was our time to go and sent him our way.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos.