Bonjour la famille et les amis,
Arrived in Paris, yesterday, Friday. With only a day and half to spend in Paris, what should one do? Some ten years ago, on my first visit to Paris, I was faced with the exact same decision – the only difference being I wasn’t making all the decisions. 😉 However, my travel companion and I were in accord – Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur, and Tour Eiffel. Not a bad selection and one that I would recommend to any first time visitor to Paris.
Jardin du Luxembourg
However, given that I have now passed through Paris more than once, I tend now to look for alternate ways to experience the city. Yesterday, it began with a more complete stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg. While I have been to these gardens before, I wanted to more fully explore the gardens as they are beautiful, diverse, and photogenic. The park offers spaces for socializing as well as solitude, for exercising as well as reflection, for gazing on complexity as well as pondering simplicity (see gallery beginning with the photo of the decorative fence).
So today, Saturday, continued with another more complete stroll through another garden that I typically have only passed through on the way to somewhere else in Paris – the Jardin des Tuileries. Being a Saturday, the park was in full use by tourists and Parisians alike. Depending upon the part the of the park you are in, other well-know landmarks are quite visible. And then there are just simply the scenes within the garden that attract the attention of young and old (see gallery beginning with the photo of the colorful carousel).
Jardin des Tuileries
La Seine
As for the water in today’s title, that would be the water in Paris – La Seine. By no means was my meandering along the river within the city complete. But crossing some of the bridges and descending down to the river walks afforded me some nice photo ops (see gallery beginning with the photo of the flower market). Also, purchased some artwork from a sidewalk artist – Parisian scenes of course! In the future, will be looking to extend my riverfront wandering.
Well that wraps up another series of On the Flip Side. First, merci to those of you who have been following along. Second, merci beaucoup to those of you who have provided commentary, especially via the public comments. Your encouragement is something I have always appreciated and continue to appreciate even more.
A bientôt,
Papi
This is the end? Say it isn’t so! Thanks for sharing your adventures – I’ve enjoyed reading about your travels and your photos are fantastic.
Best wishes for a safe flight back across the pond.
Thanks Kay and yes, unfortunately, the vacation comes to a close.
Safe travels!
Thanks Sally. Have made it back to Denver.
Thank you. I have really enjoyed this edition of Mike on the flipside. À bientot mon ami.
Merci Cathie. Hope you’re enjoying being a grand-mère.
A beautiful journey, dear godson. Seeing the two policemen on horseback in Paris, did I ever tell you about seeing two security guards on horseback in line at the take-out window at Starbucks in Texas when I lived there?
Thanks Aunt Katy. No, haven’t heard that story. Hopefully they ordered something for their mounts also!
Thanks so much for including me in “On the Flipside” – I so enjoyed seeing a bit of the world through your commentary and photos!
Thanks Beth. Always more to see.
Hey Mike! I just managed to find the time to check this site out. What a great way to share! It’s always a pleasure to see where you’ve been and hear your accounts of your adventures. Thank you for sharing again this year. I look forward to reading again next year!
Thanks Lisa. Already trying to figure out the next adventure!