Sins in Paris, hopefully, salvation in Rome
PARIS, France — After Fatima and Lourdes, where we felt we were lifted by the angels into the bosom of the Lord, we are approaching a new Sodom, perhaps a milder version of Gomorrah. Paris is the city of all exaggerations and aberrations.
It is to be appreciated that our travel agency thoughtfully scheduled Rome and Vatican as the last of our itinerary, so that we shall come home before All Saints’ Day, smelling of incense and holy oil of salvation from The Basilica of Saint Peter, the Sistine Chapel, and a rare and privileged private audience with Papa Francisco. The Pope will see us, (Thank you, Lord) courtesy of my embassy connections, and will give us His Holiness' papal benedictions, although he does not allow people to kiss ring. He said it is an affront to our human dignity. Thus, we shall carry papal blessings back to the Philippines.
But then, again, sins first in Paris before salvation in Rome. Because we are humans, and since we are in Paris, the world's capital of excessive human indulgence and hedonistic excesses, I am afraid that we may be led into temptations, and heaven forbids, may commit the seven cardinal sins, with the single exception perhaps on my part, (I hasten to interject a caveat) of lust, only because of waning physical capacity.
But I am sure there will be some avarice and gluttony, with too much food and many things to buy and pleasures to indulge in. And yes, since there are a number of very modern women in our pilgrimage group, I am afraid that envy among one another and pride, may lead to buying sprees of branded bags, perfumes and jewelries. Our credit cards are facing a clear and imminent danger of being put to its ultimate limits.
Speaking of sins, I am not sure about anger and sloth, but I am pretty positive that greed and pride will come in the way. There are many temptations in Paris, exquisite foods and fantastic cuisines, concocted by the top chefs coming from all corners of the world, fancy wines and liquors, band and orchestra music, songs and women (while our wives are busy shopping). There are sleazy places to go while our women are in the museums and in the castles and cathedrals. But we shall be with them in the just renovated Notre Dame, otherwise they may entertain some suspicions and anxieties. Paris is a temptation city where men whose feet are made of clay may easily succumb to the urgings of the flesh. Not me, I am approaching the glorious stage of septuagenarians. It is all in the mind. But there are many young and vigorous men in our party. I am praying for their deliverance.
The women, just like Eve in Eden, would perhaps be the first to be tempted by the serpents, represented by the bags of Hermes, Prada, Gerald Darel, Fendi, Louis Vitton, Marc Jacobs, Valentino and YSL. Also women's eau de toillette or perfumes like Lancome La Vie est Belle, Chanel's Coco Madamoiselle, Marc Jacobs' Daisy Eau de Toilette, Chloe, Bloom of Rose, Chanel's Black Opium, Christian Dior's Guerlain and Shalimar. They long for jewelries from Elise Tsikis, Marge Darken, White Bird, Junco Paris, and Marie Hele de Tallac. Men also are not far behind in their mania for luxury watches like Cartier, Breguet, Rolex, Bell & Ross, Dodane, and Michel Herbelin.
When we reach Rome, we shall carry our crosses in terms of overweight bags, and many imported items which will be questioned by Customs at the airport. That is why we really need the papal blessings to save us from the fires of our capital sins and bring us home with our dignity and credit cards intact. So help me, God.
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