If I had a ladder..
Today is Bastille Day in Paris, and I, like thousands of others, made my way to the Champs Elysées this morning to see the parade.
When I first took my camera out, instead of seeing something lovely through the viewfinder, I saw this on my screen instead:
"NO CARD PRESENT."
Merde! I had left my memory card at home.
I carefully tucked my camera back into my bag and hopped that no one noticed my stupidity.
I made a face to say "Bof, eets not worth takeeng a peecture of zis anyway.."
C'est dommage, I know. But not really. Since I took my sweet time arriving all I could see of the actual parade route was a sea of heads. Some were nice, some not so much. Either way, it's not what I was there for.
That called for a couple more Merdes.
I pushed my way (politely) through crowds to see if I could get a better view, but there was no luck to be had.
Instead, I could only look longingly up at the balconies that line that grand road and wonder at the people rich enough to have an apartment up there, and how they flaunted it by actually watching the parade from there while the rest of us little people stood on our tiptoes for an hour. By next year at this time, I pledged to myself, I would make a friend of one of those people, and ensure that I am invited to spend the morning watching the parade in full view from their lovely balcony. If any of you are reading this, Hi! I'm fun and nice! I'll make salad!
But I did manage to see the tops of various styles of hats as they marched along. And I was particularly excited to see the military trucks and tanks which sped surprisingly fast down the Champs Elysées (was there something better going on somewhere? what'd I miss? what'd I MISS?) and the fighter jets that flew above our heads in perfect formations.
It was very French.
I liked it.
I wanted to throw down my passports and trade them in for a French one right then and there.
Once I was safely out of the area, I stopped by a fromagerie and got myself some French cheese and a baguette, because it seemed like the right thing to do.
Next year though, next year...
When I first took my camera out, instead of seeing something lovely through the viewfinder, I saw this on my screen instead:
"NO CARD PRESENT."
Merde! I had left my memory card at home.
I carefully tucked my camera back into my bag and hopped that no one noticed my stupidity.
I made a face to say "Bof, eets not worth takeeng a peecture of zis anyway.."
C'est dommage, I know. But not really. Since I took my sweet time arriving all I could see of the actual parade route was a sea of heads. Some were nice, some not so much. Either way, it's not what I was there for.
That called for a couple more Merdes.
I pushed my way (politely) through crowds to see if I could get a better view, but there was no luck to be had.
Instead, I could only look longingly up at the balconies that line that grand road and wonder at the people rich enough to have an apartment up there, and how they flaunted it by actually watching the parade from there while the rest of us little people stood on our tiptoes for an hour. By next year at this time, I pledged to myself, I would make a friend of one of those people, and ensure that I am invited to spend the morning watching the parade in full view from their lovely balcony. If any of you are reading this, Hi! I'm fun and nice! I'll make salad!
But I did manage to see the tops of various styles of hats as they marched along. And I was particularly excited to see the military trucks and tanks which sped surprisingly fast down the Champs Elysées (was there something better going on somewhere? what'd I miss? what'd I MISS?) and the fighter jets that flew above our heads in perfect formations.
It was very French.
I liked it.
I wanted to throw down my passports and trade them in for a French one right then and there.
Once I was safely out of the area, I stopped by a fromagerie and got myself some French cheese and a baguette, because it seemed like the right thing to do.
Next year though, next year...
Labels: Paris
posted by Michèle at 9:30 AM
13 Comments:
That's too bad.
Because from my roof, I had a perfect, unobstructed view.
pity.
David, darling. You didn't invite me over though did you? So rubbing it in now is just, well its just mean. But wait, the parade didnt go all the way to your neighbourhood did it? Because I saw the jets too dude, I did see the jets!
No pictures necessary, your description was lovely. Having already been in Paris for a memorable New Year's eve and Nuit Blanche, I would love to be there for Bastille Day, just once.
I, erm, did a similar thing in NYC on my 40th brirthday. I decided to get my hair cut as a birthday treat (it needed it seriously). Got the the schmanzy salon and said to fred "I want a before and after mug shot" and demanded he take a picture of me outside the saon first. Of course, no battery, completely my fault, so whilst I was being pampered he had to return to the hotel and rectify my mistake.
happy bastille day!
PS - I guess I am not quite greatful I don't actually have the 'before' shot since the after shot was a vast improvement!
You're right.
The jets didn't make it to the Marais.
But the army jeune hommes did.
ugh! don't you hate when that happens. I did that once at a restaurant, I was getting ready to take a photo of the delicious salad right in front of me and "no memory card"!....still it sounds like you enjoyed Bastille Day!
"I'll make salad!"
Ah, but will it be Thomas Keller salad?
A salad that fussy might just get you in.
Hey Michèle, I've heard that if you go to the avenue de la Grande Armée you can see the parade as it leaves the champs and there are a lot fewer people - maybe worth a try?
Otherwise, if they go down the rue de Rivoli (do they?? never gone myself) I know someone who can probably get you a spot on a balcony. The Swedish/Norwegian club is there and I have a friend who is a member. Just send me a reminder!
In the old French neighborhood in St. Louis MO Bastille day is celebrated by erecting a guillatine(I know sic)at Soulard Farmers Market and a crowd escorting the king and queen to their beheading
Amy, my only advice is if you make it for Bastille Day next year, show up early! Or bring a ladder... I was surprised to see that many people actually did bring ladders to stand on and look out over the crowd. Who would have thought?
Sam, how lucky of you to have Fred to fetch your camera for you! A before and after picture is a hilarious idea. I usually do the Afters to send to my mom, but the idea of a before never crossed my mind. But like you said, perhaps that's a good thing huh. ;)
David, oh David. The jeunes hommes are always wherever you are.
K&S, I guess it happens to everyone at least once huh. Im hoping its enough of a doh! moment to keep me from doing it again.
Tea, I'll make whatever salad it takes. Or if they prefer chocolate, I'll do that too. Whatever it takes!
Meg, I did walk up the grande armee but they keep you at a fair distance back from the roundabout around the arc. So yes, you can see the tanks and trucks lined up from there but it doesnt give you much of a parade feel, and you cant see the marching bands/groups from there. Im not sure if the parade goes down rue de Rivoli, but if so, I will definitely remind you next year! ;)
Anonymous, ha! that would be fun to see!
I had a much better view of the défilé... on TV :)
One hour after the parade, I took my car to get out of Paris from home in the 20th, and on Rue de Belleville, I was met by ... a tank!!! It was there, in normal traffic, with an accompanying jeep, all of them in perfect uniform, waouh, that was a sight!
Nice. At least you learned to swear properly.
aj
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