different names for the same thing: I Love a Parade

Happy Bastille Day!! Today we were trying to get out of the house early to get down to the parade. EVERYONE was so tired and cranky, it was tough going for awhile. We took the subway down to the Champs-Élysées to join the millions there to watch the parade. We crabbed around for awhile and found a spot. We could see the heads of the mounted police. Mali and I went to sit on the grass for awhile when she got tired of standing. We lucked out when the Foreign Legion part of the parade detoured onto the street behind us. So, we were able to see part of it really close up. We stuck around for the amazing air show, and then we decided to head out before we were trampled by the crowds. We got out just as the rain was starting up.
We rested (I slept) to try and ease the crankiness. Originally, we were going to take the boat trip down the Canal St. Martin. But, the weather turned on us, so we swapped today’s plan with tomorrow’s and decided on the Musee D’Orsay.
We waited and waited for the rain to let up, but it did not. So, we headed out in a MAJOR torrential downpour. (reminding me to be grateful for my garage and car at home) We were totally soaked to the bone by the time we hit the Metro. We chalked it up as a vacation adventure.
The museum was AMAZING. I loved all of the art there. We were able to see so many great works. Some of the many artists’ works we saw were: Monet, Manet, Renoir, Sisley, Seurat, Cezzane, Degas, Van Gogh. A few of my favorites were: La grande soeur, Intimité - Eugène Carrière; Monet’s Lilas and Blue Water Lilies, Cain by Fernand Cormon; Manet’s Woman in the Black Hat; Solitude by Alexander Harrison; Plage (and two others displayed with it) by Degas; Renoir’s Bal du moulin de la Galette, Danse a la Ville,Nocturne au parc royal de Bruxelles William Degouve de Nuncques; Redon Joan of Arc; Un Parc la Nuit Jozsef Rippl-ronai and of course, many more that I didn’t write down. Needless to say, we love it there. But, as always happens in museums and cathedrals, the kids got hungry and tired, so we headed out a little before closing time.
The weather cleared by the time we got out – yeah! This was our official 4th of July celebration, so, we decided to try the Indiana Cafe. It’s a very happening Cafe near our metro stop. We figured since we were there at 6:30, might have a chance at a table. We got burgers, fries, nachos, wings, onion rings and quesadilla. It was really good.
We got home and watched some “Lost” while waiting for the big fireworks show. WOW! WOW! WOW! This really was the BEST fireworks show we have ever seen. And we were so fortunate to be able to watch it from the comfort of our own balcony in our PJs! Around 11 pm, they turned off the Eiffel Tower and the show began. We were so worried about it not happening because it was a crazy, windy, rainy day. But, it all cleared up for the show. Dave absolutely loves fireworks, so he was in heaven. It went on and on and was great the whole time. We loved it! A great way to make up for the lack of festivities on the 4th. ;)