In search of the perfect city

Ten days in Paris were something of an awakening, recently. I wanted to take a photo every minute until I was more used to the atmosphere of the city, and I finally recognized why — Paris is a city that feels like it's there for people, not the other way around. You can stand almost anywhere and look around to spot something that indicates this: a fountain, a work of art, a bench, a public square.

It's the difference between a livable city, and having to step outside your door every day to...