Paris log: the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées · 8:14pm May 17th, 2016
Day one of the Paris trip, and I've already gotten to see one of the sights I've really been looking forward to -- the Arc de Triomphe.
The weird thing about the Arc de Triomphe is that it's so prevalent in media that by the time you see it, you're already a little sick of it. But there is nothing like walking up the Avenue de la Grande Armée and seeing it hover into sight for yourself. It's amazing, plain and simple. Oh, and the history nuts among you will be treated to seeing the plaque with Charles de Gaulle's speech to the French people in 1940 on it.
And then there's the Champs-Élysées, which is my nomination for Best Representation of Europe. With all the huge brand names along both sides, it's a beautiful microcosm of the European love of grand and splendid architecture and the American love of flair and energy. And unlike pretty much every other McDonalds and Burger King in Europe, none of it feels tacked on. Again, simply wonderful.
Getting some rest now for tomorrow's trip to Disneyland!
Glad to see you are enjoying yourself, fair warning if you go to a restaurant. Taste your food before adding any salt or pepper, the chefs will take a big offense if you add anything else to it before tasting. It's like kicking them in the crotch before telling them whether or not you like the food.
3951544 I'll keep that in mind, thanks.
3951547 You're welcome.