Bon Jour! Do they know it's Christmas at all? Shannan
and I arrived in Paris, France around 9:00am. I was on the road for a mid-morning
run by 11:00. The city streets teemed with activity. Local shopkeepers,
tourists and Parisians carried on as if it were business as usual rather than a
major holiday. Not much seemed out of the ordinary for this 25th of
December compared to any other day. So much for opening gifts, sitting by the
fire or being with family for a Christmas lunch. Masses of people were out and
about during the chilly day.
Our quaint hotel was
tucked in the Saint Germaine district. A quick jaunt on Rue de Seine took me to
the Love Lock Bridge crossing Paris famed river. Along with a large number of
others I had great fun looking at the tremendous number of locks. I hope all
those folks remained locked in love. While gazing at the symbolic pairing of
countless couples suddenly my musing ended with the sight of Notre Dame of
Paris. Off I went.
Long lines cued to enter
the majestic cathedral renowned for is architectural grandeur and Hugo's equally
compelling tale. I looked forward to visiting the sacred space myself during
our stay. As for the moment, I had grown weary of zigging and zagging to
maneuver among the crowd. I found the respite I sought as I dipped down a
flight of cobbled stairs to run along the Seine. Time blew by in a whirlwind. I
rushed back to rejoin Shannan and begin our official sightseeing venture.
We retraced some of my steps,
including the Love Lock Bridge. However, rather than turning toward Notre Dame
we scurried off into the courtyard of the magnificent Musee du Louver. We ambled through the Tuileries Garden
up to Cleopatra's Needle (a misnomer- It really belongs
to Ramses II). For the holidays the city brought in a Ferris wheel much
like the larger one sent to Atlanta earlier in 2014.
From there we followed the Champs-Élysées
to the Arc de Triomphe. Next, we
made our way to the great icon of France, the Eiffel Tower. Along the
way we went through two Christmas bazars and a horde of people. If I
didn't know for sure, I would have never guessed it was Christmas Day.
Nonetheless, it was joyful indeed.
See cities from the
road. Run.
Tom
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