Don't forget Olympic message of peace

I believe Paris and the rest of France have a special appeal. I became fascinated with French literature at a very young age. Balzac provided my introduction to the genre, and as for Victor Hugo - I've read all of his novels.

In fact, I first applied to become a French major and was sorely disappointed when my school's English department snapped me up instead.

I eventually took French as a second foreign language, and I can't remember how many times I've been to Paris over the years. I'm familiar with every corner and fold of the city, and much of France's scenic countryside.