Jimi Hendrix & The Notre Dame

In 1970, my step-father was offered a ticket to see his idol, Jimi Hendrix, perform at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. He’d also booked a trip-of-a-lifetime to Greece and the dates overlapped.

He made the decision to go to Greece, as he figured he could see Jimi perform any time.

Two days later, Jimi was dead.

Two years ago I went to Paris with my sister and niece. We had an absolutely brilliant time, it’s such an incredibly beautiful city.

I was super excited to go to the Moulin Rouge – the dazzlingly spectacular cabaret show, and eagerly booked three tickets. Our adult tickets included a bottle of champagne each – the night was set to be one of decadence and high spirits.

And it was.

I LOVED the show, the theatre, the atmosphere…and the champagne.

The next day was our last day, and we all wanted to visit the Notre Dame – one of the most iconic buildings in a city filled with icons, and the beating heart of Paris.

In the taxi ride over I started to feel unwell. Very unwell. I made it over the threshold of this incredibly stunning building but had to turn around and head straight for the bathroom…where I stayed for about an hour! ?

I felt so unwell it totally ruined my last day in Paris, and even though I didn’t realise it then, it also robbed me of my one and only chance to take in the beauty of the Notre Dame.

It now lies in ruins, devastated by fire it will take years to restore and will no doubt never fully return to it’s former glory.

I learned a few things that day that have stayed with me all this time, and since the tragic news earlier this week, it’s brought a few more lessons close to home:

1. I haven’t drunk so much alcohol since that night, and have radically cut down the amount I consume in general. I realised that, while it was fun on the night, my body just didn’t react well and I wasted precious time in the days that followed. It’s had an incredible impact on my health and productivity.
2. ALWAYS enable yourself to be fully present in each moment, because you’ll never get that moment back and the opportunity may be gone forever.
3. NEVER buy the ticket with the free champagne at the Moulin Rouge!

The end.