Today is Armistice Day here in France, which is a National Holiday commemorating the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany on November 11, 1918. We went out to the ceremony at l'Arc de Triomphe today at 11 AM. The ceremony was brief, but dignified and somber. L'Arc de Triomphe was totally closed to traffic and, instead, filled with soldiers and Military Bands.
Since today is Thursday, a lot of Parisians booked tomorrow off as well to get a 4 day weekend (“La weekend” in French) (I kid you not). It seems like the folks left behind observed the day by riding the Metro; man, was it busy today. It also seems to be the official kick-off day for Holiday shopping. I went to BHV to ride the escalators and it was pretty crowded.
Diane spent some time shopping today for long johns. It is getting pretty nippy here. She was unsuccessful (or at least horrified at the prices) and has put in an order to Gaye, who is arriving on Saturday.
We are very excited about the arrival of friends and hope they find Paris fun.
Today is the mid-point of our trip. This is bad: we are just starting to get settled into a rhythm! These next three and a half weeks will go very quickly.
Diane is out right now visiting with a female (… she claims) acquaintance that she met in Istanbul. They are out having a coffee together (… she claims) nearby on Rue des Rosiers (… she claims). I am supposed to make my own dinner if she is not back by 7:30 (... oh, oh, it IS past 7:30).
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
May 3, 1915
John McCrae
Lieutenant Colonel
Canadian Expeditionary Force
3 comments:
Sounds like you are having a grand time. I think you mean 1918 and not 1911. 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the 18th year. Enjoy the next 3.5 weeks!
As I posted on the blog titled Beaches of Normandy, what a terrific way to commemorate our Veterans. I can't imagine what that experience must have been like. And the poem, so beautifully poignant and oh so sad.
As for Diane, it sure didn't take her long to fall into her patterns from home; first it's coffee than they'll be meeting for cocktails.
:-) We women do need our gal pal time. So glad Gaye and Lori will be there shortly. And then,
La weekend! Faire la fête!
Laurie p.
Re 1918: I corrected the typo. Thanks Jeff.
I commented yesterday to Diane that I am no longer proofreading: just typing and posting. I guess I better slow down.
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