Montmartre -that's the plan

Today, Sunday, is a national holiday, May 1. Museums and most other venues are closed so we all decided to head for Montmartre to see the Sacre D'Coeur and the seedier side of Paris' artistic bohemians. Six of us headed out and were fortunate to find a bus to take us to a second bus. The first ride was great. We had correct change, my minimal French was good enough to get directions from our very nice bus driver, and we enjoyed the passage from our home area to the Louvre where we would catch the next bus. Only, the next bus, number 95, had been detoured due to the holiday closing of the Louvre and the parade that was happening somewhere in the city. And we couldn't find where the detour was. Second choice, a taxi. But no taxi would take the six of us so Shirley, Carol, Stu, and I leapt into the first cab heading to Port Montmartre with instructions to Steve and Bob to follow in the second cab when they got one.

That was the last time we saw them until 5 at night.

Our driver left us at Port Montmarte, which is what I said but not what I wanted. Here's where just a little bit of French gets one in trouble. We were deep in the Arab quarter, facing an open air market very different from the one we went to on Saturday, and completely out of our element. And we were waiting for Steve and Bob thinking that they would go the same place. So we waited. But Steve and Bob were smarter than we were, which I hate to admit, and they headed for the Sacre Coeur (the big church at the top of the hill). We waited where we were, they waited where they were. We finally got to Montmarte and the Sacre d'coeur but by then the guys were gone and Stu had to escort the three ladies. We wandered through the area, which was very crowded. Shirley bought some paintings, Stu and I had our portraits done but we don't recognize the folks in the picture, and Carol window shopped. We had a lovely lunch, plat du jour (chicken or bifsteak, fries, salad, and dessert), and then wandered some more.

Stu walked all 275 steps from the top of Montmarte to the bottom--which may not have been the best idea.

Our second effort was to meet at the Bateaux Moche on the River Seine where we agreed to meet with Linda and Bill (they picnicked at the Eiffel Tour). By our meeting time Stu was wiped, some were cranky because we had never met up with Bob and Steve, and the crowds were everywhere. The group decided to turn around and I went onto the boat down the Seine. My first French words when I was in high school began "Ella roule, roule, roule. . ." referring to the Seine. The ride was beautiful, the buildings amazing. The number of statues on building facades and roof tops is staggering. The French built magnificent buildings in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The stone facades are magnificent, the gilt on statues remains bright and impressive. The few 20th century buildings that are mixed in, and fortunately there are very few, are among the worst architecture that I've ever seen. The contrast is mind-blowing.

After the boat ride I met the magnificent 7 back at our apartment. They were happily playing Mexican Train when I arrived. They'd already eaten the appetizers Shirley prepared the day before. Some had been drinking as well as eating so the game was rowdy, filled with laughter and good fellowship. We shared a wonderful dinner Shirley prepared, I was only the sous-chef, played Mexican train once more and called it a night.

So here is beautiful, warm Paris beckoning us, but we're ready for bed by 10 PM. Yes, we're all old geezers.

There's always tomorrow.

Adrienne and Stu