Daily Details: July 14

After enjoying my first breakfast in France, complete with baguette and cheese, it was time to head off to see the Bastille Day parade on the Champs Elysees. After taking a long Metro ride, we could see that it would be nearly impossible to see anything. There were THOUSANDS of people everywhere—so many, that it took us about 5 minutes just to make it up the Metro stairs onto the street. We stayed in a spot for a while that was a little off the parade route and got to see some of the gendarmes practicing their instruments. They all looked so lovely in their clean-cut uniforms! I was glad our professors had warned us about pick-pocketers though, because it was clear that they were out everywhere. I didn’t bring a bag because they advised us not to, so all I had was a water bottle and my money belt. One man sidled up next to me, staring at everyone’s waists and then left when he saw there was nothing to be had. Another, who stood next to me for some time, asked for some chewing gum because he could see I was chewing some. I did have some, but I’d be danged if I reached in my money belt to get it for him—I’m not THAT stupid! ;) It was clear to see that he didn’t want chewing gum, so I told him all I had was the stuff in my mouth. Wow.

We left pretty quickly and decided to get some homework and much needed rest at the hotel. After catching up on some blogging, it was time to go out in search for some dinner before camping out to get a good spot for the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. As we walked, we’d go check out places that were the most busy, thinking they must have great food. Nope! Every place that had the most people was strictly a bar that served little snacks. I am blown away by how much the French drink! There were a few brasseries that looked vaguely promising, but we decided to save some money and go to McDonald’s. I know—it’s kind of sacrilegious to be eating McDonald’s in France, but I figure I’ll have more dough to spend at some nice place on another night. At McDonald’s, I had a new sandwich, the CBO, and my first experience in a unisex bathroom. Yikes!

We easily made our way to the Tour Eiffel, towards the field where we had sketched our first day. There was a perfect opening on the curb for the four of us—me, Malory, Whitney, and Becca. I felt delighted to get such a great spot. Beccah and Malory went and got some snacks for us and a blanket to sit on from the hotel. They even brought cards, so during some of the hours of the 6 hour wait, we played those. Some French guys came up and asked us in French if we wanted to play cards for money—I was glad I still knew enough to understand what they were asking, and politely refused. Our snacks were delicious, too! After a while, we saw some of our group and they too joined us. Some French music stars were performing at the base of the Eiffel Tower and big screen TVs broadcast that for all of us to see. The first artist was pretty good--his name was Christoffe and he looked a heck of a lot like Brad Pitt with makeup.

Finally, the spectacular “feu d’artifice”, or fireworks show, started. The show began with this crazy awesome lighting that made the Tower look like it was turning. Oh man! So many awesome things took place in that show that words can scarcely do it justice, but I will try my best. This year celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower. As the show progressed, it detailed on the Eiffel Tower with awesome lighting, different events that have occurred through the decades. First, the Tower was lit up in such a way that it looked like it was being assembled right in front of us, complete with building noises. Next, it showed the French Revolution, WWII, and some other things. At one point, the entire Eiffel Tower turned red. I ask you—is there anything better than seeing the Eiffel Tower bathed in a glorious shade of red with fireworks going off in the background? I think not. More fantastic parts came later, like when the Eiffel Tower was lit up with psychedelic dancing flowers, complete with coordinating hippie music. It was SOOO cool! Then, the top of the Eiffel Tower would try to tramp down the flowers, but the flowers would have none of it! During the last era, the Tower was bathed in violet light with pink and white fireworks and some techno-type music. Several times during the show, the Eiffel Tower was transformed into the French Flag, and red, white, and blue fireworks abounded. Heck, there were types of fireworks I had never seen in my life that blew me away! All in all, it was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen in my life, and something I know I will never forget. I teared up a wee bit during the show because I was once again overwhelmed by how blessed I am to be here and to see what I am seeing.

(Note: I have no pictures of today because pick pocket danger is too high on holidays to carry one around...sorry!)