We were able to peel ourselves away from the bed, and get on the metro late but still made it the Grand Army Parade. My friend from college, Micalea (a new Micalea), got into town and came with us to celebrate Bastille Day. We got a great spot near the Concorde UNTIL two oriental women decided to trick us into getting in front of us! They acted as if they needed to speak to the Police that were right next to us, and then stopped after we made room for them. Those little snakes! Ana and Micalea pushed their way back in front of them, and I made the "I'm with them" move. However, the taller one was a total “b-word” and was not about budge. So, I just made her life miserable with bumps here and there to remind her of the consequences of her decision to cut people. Enjoy your blurry photos!The march was spectacular and I really wish that the USA would have something comparable. Every branch of the military marches down, chanting their platoons song, swinging their swords, and marching in unison! Also, there so many different planes that flew over the street. AND, they even had huge tanks and other military vehicles that were shown off. It made even an American prideful for the French Military and I wish the US would do the same to allow the great women and men of our country to be seen in a different light. The coolest part was that some soldiers got to march after just serving in Afganistan. I only knew this by my new found ability to listen around me (it was my way of trying to hear English at the drop of a hat) because a French man was telling his American girlfriend why everyone was clapping.
Note: On the Fourth of July, Americans always wear red, white, and blue. You look alien if you don’t. So, I got dressed thinking “better dress in red, white and blue so that I blend in with the French today.” WRONG! No one really wore red, white and blue unless you count the American girls I saw on the metro that got the same idea as me. I felt like an utter tourist.
After the parade it was back on the metro to Notre Dame. I have been so many times, but still find something new and magical! After that, we met up with Magen and Tyler and were going to head to Trocadero (a metro stop that has the best view of the Eiffel Tower). Wrong. Due to the festivities, they had blocked it off so we got a picture but nothing near what it could have been. We decided we would try to make it down around the Eiffel Tower, but were once again with countless road blocks as they prepared for the firework display that night. But, as a good tour guide I took them to the Alexander Parodi Bridge where it was “take your wedding photos day,” because there were a handful of brides (in gaudy dresses I might add) taking photos on the breathtaking bridge. HAHA the hairstyles on some of those brides were a bit odd (I’m being polite, because I am typing this on a Sunday).
That night, Patrick and I met up with some of my friends from my university to watch the fireworks behind the Eiffel Tower! We were starving and went to get some food, but the lines were never ending! I looked over and saw watermelon and cantaloupe for sale and Patrick and I immediately bought some… we instantly felt rejuvenated. The fireworks were unbelievable! Every year they theme the fireworks display and this year I am assuming it was famous plays. They played so many American songs (New York New York and Chicago to name a few) and I was very confused as to what was happening. Had we been in American and they played French songs, the country would be livid. BUT, it was magical and I felt extremely blessed to have witnessed it! AND it made up for me missing the fireworks on Julth 4th. AND I got to sing along!
Since there were a zillion people at the Eiffel Tower, Patrick and I were not about to take the metro (hahaha I should have just to see his face again). So we took my handy dandy map and walked home… in a sea of people. I felt like I was in a massive school of fish. Patrick was in shock at how crowded the streets were. After getting back to the apartment we HAD to get a bite to eat, and then we were off to bed because Versailles awaited us early in the morning!
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