simplybrad

It’s a gorgeous day out. The sun is shinning. I have no agenda for today. I head out towards Printemps and Galleries Lafayette for some shopping. I take different streets. Nothing in particular, just different streets. I quickly go through these two giant stores, not sure of what I was thinking as this is way too American. If you want shopping, go to St. Germain.

I get out and start walking around again, taking pictures of the city. I end up walking around the Opera National de Paris bullding and take some pictures of the ornamentation around it. I don’t think I have ever been to an Opera or inside an Opera building. I decided to tour the inside.

After the Opera visit I wander around the city some more. Taking more pictures. I wind up over at Les Halles and take advantge of getting some good shots of the head and hand sculpture. Les Halles is kind of a dump. It is the site of the old market that was leveled and an underground mall put in it’s place. Avoid the mall part.

After taking some photos, I head over to Centre Pompidou. I have been here before but decided to take in the DADA exhibit and have some lunch at the sleek restaurant on the 6th level. Very good eats. Of course food is just awesome in Paris. It’s a shame they let the American fast-food chains into the country. I was appalled at how many Pizza Hut delivery scooters where out and about. That is not real pizza. Come to Chicago for some real pie.

I end up leaving Pompidou around closing-time. Heading back over to Rue Richelieu & Rue Rivoli. I grab a chair outside a bistro across from Hotel d’Louvre. While enjoying my last night in Paris with a delicious espresso (large) and people watching, a crowd is gathering in the square. Evidently it is an opponent to Chirac. He is there to critique the non-action to all of the mischief going on. It does force Chirac to address the country that night (I end up watching it on the BBC later that night). This is the extent of what I experience concerning the riots. Except for maybe the heightened police presence in the city.

I retired for the evening having fully enjoyed my time in Paris.

Merci beaucoup.