Paris Journal 2008

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We went walking after having dinner in the apartment last night. We paused and sat on park benches a couple times. First, to discuss the lion statue in the park at Place Cambronne. Second, to talk about nothing at all in the park that’s in the middle of Avenue de Breteuil, with the lovely view of the St. Louis des Invalides dome. Coming home down the Avenue de la Motte Picquet, we decided to go into the grocery, FranPrix, to buy few essentials, like extra dark Swiss chocolate bars. I have one little square of 85% chocolate every evening. Tom has a couple squares of 70%. Inside the store, the muzak was Louis Armstrong’s beautiful rendition of “What a Wonderful World” (here’s a YouTube version). This is my favorite song. I would love to sing it for you. On our way home, we passed by the Champ de Mars, where workers are busily trying to take away all the pieces and parts of the huge stage, sound system, and lights that had been used on Quatorze Juillet. There is a new sign on the Champ de Mars that I’ve been meaning to tell you about. My friend Heather who does the SecretsofParis.com web site recently wrote a good article with tips for packing a picnic to be consumed in a Paris park. She wrote that while there is no law against consuming alcohol in Paris parks, there is a restriction against having glass (bottles) in the parks. Well, this sign in the Champ de Mars (below right) does say that “This garden is an open space for all. The consumption of alcohol is not tolerated here. Thank you for your understanding.” I have not ever seen this rule enforced. If the city is serious about this restriction, I think they would put an English translation up on the sign. Here are translations of other messages on the sign: “You are in a green space. For the comfort and security of all, respect it.” “The cleanness of this space depends on each one of us. Thank you for sorting before throwing away.” (This is a reference to the double trash containers, with one side for garbage and the other for recyclables.) “The plantings embellish the city and her gardens. For the pleasure of all, thank you for respecting them.” “The selling of counterfeit items is forbidden.” “Thank you for preserving the beauty and the cleanliness of this place for walking and leisure. Here, each day, 38 gardeners and maintenance workers as well as 17 receptionists and guards from the City of Paris take care of this Parisian garden.” If anyone from the City of Paris is listening, you have my permission to use my translation of your sign so that many more tourists will be able to read it and do what it says!

Tuesday, July 17, 2008 Statue on the bridge called Bir-Hakeim. A place for puppet shows on the Champ de Mars. Sign my guestbook. View my guestbook.

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