Woods and 'hood

18 April 2008- Spring is trying more and more. Yesterday I ventured to the west of the Seine to the Bois de Boulogne. More woods and areas "preserved" for Paris. This has several gardens and paths. It just didn't feel as nice as the Bois de Vincennes. Maybe too many roads. Still a beautiful garden at Catalan and Jardin Shakespeare. A few lakes but not many ducklings. Maybe the french have already got them in a cage for foie de canard. Lots of tulips so I was happy. The bridge in the photo was really interesting. It is cast concrete, not at all wood. Long lasting and looks very authentic. Bois de Boulogne was the probable locale for the Da Vinci code movie when they are staying in a park with all the drug addicts and prostitutes. Maybe that scarred me from liking it a bunch too much. Really, my guide books, Paris walks cards and the embassy rep who spoke at a seminar tell you to leave before sundown. The embassy rep told us countless stories of "them" charging cars as the passengers tried to take photos. AI AI AI. Chad asked why does the city let this go on, and my answer was "probably the best customers are the politicians."
Today I went on the walking tour of "Hemingway's Paris." A real treat for only 10 euro. The guide was a very good humored Brit and he gave a lot of good information. Turns out Ernest Hemingway (number 74 rue Cardinal Lemoine), James Joyce and other writers all lived and or wrote about life in our neighborhood. It was a good look at all the stuff I rarely notice anymore or didn't even bother to notice earlier. Always change your perspective, You see better when you do. The street corner shows the ancient name of the street carved into the stone and the current metal placards that are in use all over the city. A great tour, the company offers several so I might just have to check out the others they offer. Capped off by a lovely lunch of raclette with my friends. Yummy cheese. I think we lingered a bit long, we disturbed our lunching waiter for the check. Oh well, we live in France and like extended meals with several courses. He got a good tip so he won't be complaining.
Tomorrow we are likely off to the catacombs, hooray they are finally open. Just a warning for those who check in often. Creepy pictures of bones will soon be up...