Paris Journal 2010 – Barbara Joy Cooley Home: barbarajoycooley.com

Photos and thoughts about Paris

Sign my guestbook. View my guestbook. 2009 Paris Journal ← Previous Next → ← Go back to the beginning

We lingered over dinner on the terrace with Allan and Deb at Le Square for so long that it was midnight when we arrived home. The walk home was across the Champ de Mars, where thousands of young people were sitting on the grass, picnicking, chatting, and drinking. A few were playing African drums. Everyone seemed to be ready to celebrate Quatorze Juillet, the national holiday, also known as Bastille day. The food at dinner was good, but not as good as the last time we dined at Le Square. But the company and conversation were lively and fun. Today, the weather started out warm, with a perfectly blue sky. By the time the military parade was ready to begin, clouds gathered. The parade started, and so did the rain. I enjoy watching this parade every year, and of course every year I understand more and more of the French commentary on the TV. By now, I probably know more about the various components of the French military than I do about the American military. But then, the U.S. doesn’t have a military parade like this one. I think the closest thing we have are Presidential Inaugural parades, which don’t happen so often. Tom, by the way, marched in President Johnson’s inaugural parade as an officeer of the U.S. Navy. Before the Bastille Day parade really starts, there is an air show featuring various kinds of military, including civil security, aircraft. On TV, we can see the airplanes take off and start to fly overhead along the Champs Elysées. Then we scurry to our kitchen or bathroom windows to see the same airplanes in real time and space. That may be all the exercise we get today because the rain continues to threaten. Usually, the weather is hot for the military parade, and I feel sorry for all those young men and women in those heavy-looking dress uniforms. Today, however, the rain kept them cool – and very wet. Tom was worried that good uniforms might be ruined in the rain. I thought they’d probably be okay, as long as they don’t stay wet for too long. The uniforms, people and the marching bands of the various units are beautiful and impressive. The soldiers are so proud and dignified, and all the dignitaries in the viewing stand at Place de la Concorde are proud of them, too – rightfully so. Various firefighting brigades and police/gendarme units are included in the parade, because in France they are considered to be a part of the military. Every year, military and political leaders from some other country are invited to be part of the parade and festivities. A couple years ago, the featured country was Brazil, for example, and Da Silva himself was here, along with some impressive military band that we happened upon in the Champ de Mars one day. This year, instead of one country, several countries, all in Africa, were featured. The colorful dresses and hairdo’s of the African presidents’ wives were something to see. And then there was the elegant Carla Bruni Sarkozy sitting with them, in a plain, dark gray well-tailored dress. I noticed that just about all the women in the viewing stand, especially the French women, were uncharacteristically wearing flats. I think there must be a memo that tells them to do so, because nobody wants to see them fall while trying to walk on those murderous cobblestones of the Champs Elysées to reach the viewing stand when they leave their motorcades. After the parade is over, there is a bit more of an airshow, with helicopters. After a short time, parachutists jump from the helicopters and successfully navigate over central Paris, bringing themselves to land spot on, in front of the viewing stand at the Place de la Concorde. I didn’t know if they would be able to do this in the rain, but Tom said they could. He was right. All those aerial views of Paris bedazzle me. This is, I am certain, the most beautiful city in the world. Now we have a bit of a break before today’s stage of the Tour de France hits the TV screen, with more aerial views of French countryside, including lots of chateaux and charming villages. I hope some of this cooler weather greets the riders, but none of the rain. The French are also rightfully proud of their contributions to technology. On Monday, Le Parisien included an article about ten specialized French ships that have been sold to an American business in Miami to help with the Gulf oil cleanup. (For some reason, the Miami business is not named.) These ships are made by a company in Brittany called Ecoceane. The company is subsidized by the French government, so in this way, France is helping with the Gulf oil cleanup. The ships are equipped to collect floating garbage and hydrocarbons. One of them, named “Catamar,” is 18 meters long and can clean a surface of water up to 30 hectares per day, and recover 300 cubic meters of hydrocarbons per day. “Catamar” was chartered for two months by the Miami business, and will be sent from France to West Palm Beach in a couple weeks. Eight smaller ships built by Ecoceane are being used already in the Gulf clean up. Ecoceane met with the U.S. Coast Guard and state and local authorities in Louisiana in June. Taking into account the growing demand from the five states affected by the spill, the company is studying the possibility of making more of these ships locally, on the Gulf coast, before the end of the summer. In another news item of interest to southwest Floridians and others, there has been a dolphin and whale count going on in the Mediterranean, off the coasts of France, Italy, and Monaco, in an area called Pelagos – a designated marine sanctuary for these creatures. The news is good – the counts are up. Sign my guestbook. View my guestbook. Note: For addresses & phone numbers of restaurants in this journal, click here.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Night view looking toward the Palais Bourbon, through the Place du Palais Bourbon. Le Square, where we dined last night with Deb and Allan, is off to the right, out of the photo. Two views of the Eiffel Tower, from the far side of the Esplanade des Invalides. Flower shop on the rue Bréa. People line up to buy gelato at the new Amorino shop on the chic rue du Commerce. A mosaic on the rue Notre Dame des Champs. ← Previous Next →