“Don’t tase me bro” (“ne me tase pas bro”)~Andrew Meyer

Now I usually like to begin my blogs with an inspirational or more thought-provoking quote, but my daughter Becca suggested that one when I woke up in Paris this morning and since it is an actual quote, and reflects well on the afternoon in Paris yesterday, what the heck I went with it.

The day started remarkably well with a six thirty am wake up call ( that’s twelve thirty am back where I am from) and meeting a wonderful group of people for breakfast! We had wonderful cheese omelets and those that are not Celiacs were able to have crusty croissants and french bread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was off by cab for the start of a three and a half hour/four plus mile walking tour of Paris from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower.  It was fabulous, we had perfect weather and the guides, a young husband and wife from “We Go Walking ” tours were wonderful.  Here are a few of the sites we saw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the four plus mile walking tour we stopped with our friends for a delicious lunch and off to purchase some post cards.  We then booked an Uber to meet our friend at the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens).  Unfortunately, there were multiple events going on around Paris and the streets were blocked off and the Uber took over 30 minutes and a five block walk to get us which was only the start of our adventure. There was a labor protest of thousands and it was impossible to get back to our hotel so the Uber dropped us off at a corner which we thought would be a short walk to the hotel.

That’s when things got interesting.   There were so many police in full riot gear and thousands of loud protestors shooting off fireworks, at least I hoped they were fireworks.  We were only a short distance away hoping to cross the street when basically all hell broke out and the police were being attacked by the protestors and began shooting off tear gas which we did not know until people began screaming and running and our eyes began to tear and our throats burned as we ran away from the commotion.  Yes, we freaking ran.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After that we tried for hours to get back to the hotel. Yes, hours.  We walked a total (thank you fitbit) of ten miles yesterday.  We eventually made it back safely and had a lovely dinner with the Friends of Dave (addicted to fun/wine) group.  Then a few of us thought we would end the evening right with a cruise down the Seine and some spectacular views of the Eiffel tower at night.

 

 

And although we were almost killed ( perhaps I exaggerate) it was another day of adventure.  I leave you with this thought from Ray Bradbury.

“Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.”