Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, The Avenue des Champs Elysees, and Pizza - Oh, My!

 This was another perfect day.

Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, The Avenue des Champs Elysees, and stops along the way.

Including one stop where we plopped down to rest for a spell.  A nice little bench against a wall where we could lean back to ease our backs.

After a few minutes, we did notice an unusually large police presence.  To the left of our bench.  To the right.  In front of, including a couple of officers sitting in a van.  They didn't seem to be paying us any attention, and after our little break when we got up to leave, I looked over my shoulder and pointed to a discreet brass placque on the building. 

 

On with our walk . . .

Leaving our hotel and heading towards today's goal - The Eiffel Tower.

Who can visit Paris and not say hello to this lady?  Not us.

We decided to have an early dinner at a place close to our hotel, Papilla.  

Loved the atmosphere, the decor was fun -

But wait.

That dish hanging on the wall . . .

How did a piece of my china end up here?!  ❤

Petite Fleur by Villeroy & Boch.  Chosen as our every day wedding china back in 1986 by Donald.

AND, the pizza was excellent.  Not served on my china, but delicious just the same.

And then, home when seeing this wonderful building, we know we're home.

More tomorrow!

Today's Poem - Don't Hesitate by Mary Oliver

 If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,

don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

No Kings Day in Paris (Edited)

 

From Vickie, "When I saw the announcement of the March 28th No Kings Day, I was disappointed that we would be out of the country, but not to be deterred, we immediately started to plan for the Paris protest. I'm so glad we did. I had a lot of emotions that day. Excited to see "our people" joining together to be heard so far from home; entertained by the creativity of the costumes and signs; uplifted by the peaceful contrast of No Kings protests as compared to the violence on January 6^th, and just so damned proud to be part of it."

Yes.  What she said.  ❤

It was a peaceful protest.  Not a police uniform to be seen.  No counter protesters.  Protesting, in Paris, as protected under America's First Amendment.  

It was a good day.

We had conversations with a wide cross-section of like-minded people - some from France, some American tourists, some expats, and four women from North Carolina who are in the midst of exploring finalizing their residency to The Loire Valley.

We wandered our way back to our hotel, me getting a manicure on the way.  

I hope you'll stop by tomorrow!