The first thing I did when I got back to Paris was take a mighty long stroll through Saint Germain des Près. It was the warm kind of day that says spring is over and summer is on the cusp of arrival; the air was sticky and just a tad heavy. The sky was a baby-blue and the sun bright as I hurried along, late, whizzing past the most dazzlingly pink geraniums hanging in abundant glory. Telling myself I didn’t have time, I continued on, before arriving at the next street corner, turning around, eying them, sending an apology text to my friend for my extra lateness, and doubling back. Here’s the result, and more, from the first day of what I experienced as “liberation.” A Paris out of quarantine, but timidly taking the first steps.