A Suspicious Encounter at The Louvre Museum?

After spending two weeks in West Africa on official travel, I had a layover in Paris, France for the weekend on my way back home to Washington, D.C. Arriving in Paris early on a Saturday morning, I planned to visit the renowned Louvre Museum on Sunday. However, during my exploration of the iconic museum, I stumbled upon a disturbing sight that made me question if an art heist was about to unfold. Or was my mind, entangled in the grip of malaria, that wove a deceptive web of illusions?

Whenever I traveled to West Africa, my employer's physician advised me to take antimalarial medication called doxycycline. I diligently followed the prescribed dosage, taking a tablet two days before my trip and continuing for four weeks after returning to the United States. Thankfully, I experienced no physical symptoms such as stomach or muscle aches, chills, fever, night sweats, or vomiting. Nor did I feel mentally confused.

Having boarded an Air France flight from Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire to Paris, France, I endured an overnight journey and arrived in Paris on Saturday morning. After disembarking the plane and completing my work-related tasks, I checked into my hotel for a much-needed nap.

After taking a much-needed rest, I felt rejuvenated and ready to explore the sights of Paris. I sought recommendations from the hotel concierge for nearby activities, and I aimed to return before nightfall.

I explored a small corner variety store, reminiscent of a U.S. Walmart, and strolled along streets adorned with famous designer boutiques like Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior.

Although I refrained from entering these high-end boutiques, I enjoyed a delightful dinner at a charming corner café along The Avenue des Champs-Elysees.

As I continued my walk, peering into shop windows along The Avenue des Champs-Elysees, the majestic Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance as the sun began to set. Realizing it was getting late, I started making my way back to the hotel but found myself lost in the labyrinthine streets. Eventually, I stumbled upon my hotel and retired for the night.

Did I experience cognitive impairment as a potential symptom of malaria for not being able to locate the hotel?

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As I settled in for the evening, a wave of reflection washed over me, reminding me of my college studies in liberal arts instilled in me a thirst for knowledge, and I eagerly sought to expand my education. The curriculum included an art course that delved into the Italian Renaissance and introduced me to renowned figures such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli, Columbus, and Galileo from the 15th and 16th centuries. Armed with this knowledge, I knew exactly which works I wanted to admire at the Louvre.

The following day, I was filled with excitement as I prepared to visit the Louvre Museum.

I decided to take a leisurely walk along the Seine River towards the Louvre Museum. As I approached the Louvre Palace, I noticed people relaxing in the vast grassy area.

In the distance, the glass pyramid structure shimmered, drawing me closer. However, before reaching the pyramid, I passed through the grand arch formation known as the Arc de Triumphe Carrousel, which led me into an expansive courtyard towards the pyramid and palace.

Following the crowd, I made my way into the pyramid, descending either steps or escalators that guided me into the Louvre Castle Museum.

The Louvre Museum was a behemoth! Its breathtaking beauty left me speechless. I wandered through its vast halls, marveling at the works of art from the Renaissance era. It was a heavenly experience. I gazed upon the magnificent Venus de Milo sculpture, captivated by her beauty. Mona Lisa's painting, unfortunately, roped off, still managed to captivate me from a distance. I couldn't resist capturing a picture with my Kodak Power Flash Disposable Camera. However, my excitement was short-lived as a guard swiftly approached, instructing me to refrain from using the flash bulb as it could damage the precious relic. Call me crazy, but it felt as though Mona Lisa's eyes were fixed upon me, or perhaps my mind was playing tricks on me.

As I continued exploring, I noticed an abundance of natural light streaming through the museum's frosted skylight windows. To my astonishment, I observed two human silhouettes crawling along the windows of the skylight!

Was I losing my mind?

I kept staring, and the silhouettes on the skylight window continued to move. Panic began to set in, and I felt an urgent need to leave the Louvre Museum before an attack unfolded.

This peculiar occurrence reminded me of the original and remake of the movie "The Thomas Crown Affair."

In a state of panic, I hastily departed the museum and walked until I reached my hotel.

Seeking solace, I retreated to my room and turned on CNN news, hoping that British-Iranian journalist Christina Amanpour would report an art heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. I needed confirmation that I hadn't succumbed to madness.

To my dismay, there were no reports on world cable news or local French news about an art heist at the Louvre Museum.

Exhausted, I decided to rest and contemplated the possibility that I might be unknowingly suffering from malaria.

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(Copyright Dana Esposito. All rights reserved.)