French Kissing

One of the things I most enjoy about traveling is experiencing the differences in societal norms of the different cultures.  In a very existential view, I find it curious that the basic species is virtually identical, yet varies in the most peculiar ways.  Honestly, we all have hearts, livers, lungs and we eat, digest and, uh hmm, excrete the same way but the socially acceptable ways in which we interact with one another vary widely.  As an example, for the French it must be perfectly acceptable and normal to repeatedly kiss your mate in a very suductive manner during broad daylight in areas of Paris teaming with people. I saw this at the Effiel tower, on the left bank of the Seine, at the Louvre, near the opera, and on the Champs élysées.  Thankfully, I am not quite the prude I once was and therefore not mortified, but I will admit I was taken aback. For a people known to Americans as being exceptionally rude, they sure make-out a LOT! 

Today, Libby and I woke early and ate breakfast at the hotel.  Since so many nationalities stay here, the fare is quite diverse. There was fruit, French pastries, Lebanese bread, hummus, baby greens, all sorts of meats, cheeses, hard boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, and traditional American cereals. When foreigners visit the US, they must find our flour, egg, and oatmeal based breakfasts odd. I much prefer the meats, cheeses,and Lebanese bread-how do I always end up back to a granola bar at home? 

We were the typical tourists today and hopped aboard the red bus to hit the major sights.  It is a double deck open air bus which makes for a chilly but breath taking view of the city. 

This handy contraption gave us a good overview of Paris.  One thing is for certain, I relish the fact that Kansas City is built on a grid.  Holy cow! The map of Paris looks like Napoleon Bonaparte took out his crayon and scribbled onto the page. While I doubt we traveled more than 9 or 10 kilometers, it seriously took us four hours. We saw the major sights-the outside anyway. 

We picked up the red bus at the Arc De Triomphe. This is France's homage to the unknown soldier. Every evening, the memorial flame is rekindled by former military. You can also go up in the Arc.  Tomorrow, I hope to do that. 

The bus took us all around, but this was likely the most beautiful spot. 

It was a bit foggy and rainy today so we did not go up in the Effiel tower but the clouds made for beautiful pictures. 

And then, just like that (ok not really-it probably took us 45 minutes to get this close) the sun popped out. But I was so very cold my teeth were rattling and my bones were clacking, so I requested to exit the cute red bus for anyplace warm! We stopped near the Lourve and headed to the Pont Du Arts where the newly wed put locks on the bridge and there were a TON of them. 

Some were even super fancy. 

I hope Louise got engaged and had the kiss of her life on this bridge. All I wanted was something warm, so we found an adorable nearby coffee shop and I ordered an espresso.  Turned out to be nearly perfect. 

For perspective, that little pink wrapped piece...is a sugar cube.  I was having a java beverage in a child's tea party set.  But it was delicious and WARM. 

Once my teeth stopped chattering, we ventured next door to St. Germaine. It's an ancient church and abbey.  Libby found her confirmation saint statute and we generally had a look around. I love old churches, but won't bore you to tears with innumerable pictures. 

By this time, we had worn ourselves out and opted to go back to the hotel for a nap.  Libby is still snoozing beside me, and I am almost warm...almost. 

I'm not sure what tonight will hold, as we are both still so very tired. But tomorrow our big adventure will be Notre Dame and maybe this delightful cafe a street artist had painted.