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Published: July 21st 2014
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Parade detritis
These items were removed from backpacks that were searched, if you wanted to be closer to the parade. Bastille Day - July 14- Paris - Being here, in this city, on this day, has been one of my dreams. Kevin had been here four years ago with Harrison, but I couldn’t and was very jealous. So, HERE I AM! Two major events are on the schedule for us today - the Parade down the Champs Elysee and the fireworks from the Eiffel Tower tonight with the Lauder family, or most of them.
Firstly, the parade. It was a military parade. Of the French military. OK, I can hear the sniggers…what military? So, JUST STOP IT. There were big guns with women at the helms, and little tanks, with men driving them. And there were firemen, and policemen, and ambulances. And there were fly-overs by planes and helicopters. And the President came down the street in a car, to some boos from the crowd. And it lasted from our arrival at about 9 AM (Kevin said to get there early) till about 11:30, when EVERYONE ALL WANTED TO LEAVE AT ONCE! And then I found out that we could have gone and sat in the café behind us, the Café George V, and watched the whole thing on big-screen
TVs AND had coffee and bathrooms. But we would have missed the crowds, with the pushing and shoving and watching body-searches. A great place to people-watch, is all I can say.
Realizing we would be having a late night, Wendy and I headed back to the apartment after lunch. That must have been a non-event, as I have nothing recorded or information about it. Oh, yes I remember…It was a place in the Latin Quarter and my meal was served about 15 minutes after Wendy had FINISHED hers. We went around the corner from Berthillon for their ice cream without all the hassle. Wendy had a lovely sundae, and I had three scoops of sorbets, served in a waffle cup. The flavors were: pear, cassis (my forever favorite) and dark chocolate…yes, sorbet. I will have to try that one at home… Naps were in order, and we worked out where we were meeting the Lauders for dinner and fireworks. Rob and Erica had come up for their son’s graduation from London School of Economics, and another son had moved to London to chef for a couple years, so they all came over for Bastille Day and food experiences. It
Firemen
I think they are hired for their looks in Paris as well as San Francisco. was fun spending the evening with them, even though the food was average. I can remember the name of the place, as it was on the plates…Le Poule au Pot. I don’t recommend it.
Off we trotted to the Eiffel Tower, about 5 blocks away from the restaurant, and set up camp about 10 PM. The fireworks were scheduled to start at about 11PM, and they were wonderful. We knew they were starting when a full orchestra struck up the Marseillaise at the tower…we were that close. Half-way through I leaned over to Wendy and told her I was feeling very patriotic. All told, it was a very emotional experience for me, and the day was a 4-star event. If I ever work out how to download the video I made on my Ipod, I will add it as a comment to this blog.
We parted ways with the Lauders after, and made our way to the Metro. We actually had no control…we were pulled as though we were caught in a strong rip tide, and we just went with it. We flopped into bed, two very tired older ladies. I think we are starting to feel it…
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Ed
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Death to the aristos!!
Two Antipodeans in the city of romance celebrating a blood bath by watching a huge steel tower catch on fire to the music of the French national anthem. On the face of it, not a very attractive proposition, but I bet it was fantastic. John Lennon singing Imagine would have been amazing and surprising conclusion. Vive la Beatles!