A Palace and a Pita

Begrudgingly left Cinque Terre a couple days ago... back to France. Paris does feel strangely like home, now. Except for all those people speaking french.

The spring showers have arrived, and frankly, I'm relieved. I'm also wet.. might be time to buy an umbrella.

Headed for the Latin Quarter today - specifically to the Jardin du Luxembourg which has been recommended to me by 2 parisians, now. I know when to listen. One told me that they often do photography exhibits on the fence surrounding the gate close to the Pantheon. Indeed they had one up focused on life in Africa. It was more composed of story-telling shots than it was "wow, look at that picture" shots... but interesting none-the-less.

The park itself isn't huge, but very nicely laid out.. felt relaxing even with the glut of people, and of course it has Luxembourg palace on the premises. I walked in to discover a bandstand with an orchestra playing to a very large crowd. Wandered past some statues, and more statues, and yet more statues, some baby ducks swimming in a fountain, a pond, people playing tennis and petanque, the statue of liberty (no, I'm not kidding), tons of green park chairs... oh and more statues.

After that, headed up to St. Michel to grab a falafel at Maoz. The rain started, so I ran for the relative cover of the trees in Jean-XXIII Square behind Notre Dame. Mmm... soggy falafel.

Had to abandon my plans to visit Le Grande Arche de La Defense - but will head there this weekend. Au revoir!