Today was Bastille Day in France. Marc and Corry, his friend and BYU colleague, went up on the roof of the building that houses the BYU Study Abroad apartment to watch the fireworks. I was excited when I opened my inbox and found these photos! It's a good thing I wasn't there or I would have been freaking out. As much as I love fireworks, I am much more afraid of heights. (Even if I'm not the one up high.) I was nervous when he was telling me about it on the phone today, and it was already over.
Here's what Marc had to say about the experience:
Even though it's now past 1:30 am here I had to send you some photos. Photos 1-3 show what a great view of the fireworks you can get if you're willing to risk life and limb. Photos 4 and 5 show Corry and Richard (blurry--long exposures and even with a tripod on the rooftop it was windy--yes, gasp in fear--windy!) perched like gargoyles among the mitrons (remember that word?). I was standing on a slippery roof (qui risque rien ...). The last picture shows the "bétail" as Richard called them--the poor masses crowded in the street being herded back home by the RATP guys. Had we fallen, we could have taken out a dozen of them, easy. I like how the crowds of people take on the appearance of brush strokes from an impressionist painting. I think it's a law in France that crowds appear to be either brush strokes à la Monet or pointillist dots à la Seurat when viewed from above (as opposed to ugly American crowds who simply look like ants).
Up on a slippery roof on a windy night. Definitely not for me. It sure made for some cool pics, though! I had almost forgotten how much I love that view of the Parisian rooftops with their chimney pots.
Marc told me today about a game that he and Corry invented called King of Paris. It totally cracked me up. As they go about their day in the city, they are always on the lookout for the other to commit some little betise that betrays either their lack of perfect knowledge of Paris or their Americanism. (Yeah, these guys totally pride themselves on knowing the city and not being dumb tourists.) So for instance, if Corry walks in the wrong direction after coming up out of the Metro, he then relinquishes the title of King of Paris to Marc. If, later that day, Marc rushes across the street to accomodate an oncoming taxi, instead of leisurely meandering across like any self-respecting Parisian, the title reverts back to Corry.
I asked him if there is ever any debate about (temporarily) giving up the title. Oh no, they both recognize immediately when they've done something that merits a loss of the royal position. Just a little something they do to entertain themselves. And the thing is, I can totally picture them doing it. Too funny.
12 comments:
OH I LOVE PARIS SOOOO MUCH!!!! so thank you for posting these wonderful pictures...I was just thinking of Paris because of their bastille day! Wow the pictures look so amazing and the crowds...figurative speeach is soooo insightful....so nostalgic!! wow that game sounds like fun especially if you think you will not be relinquishing your throne any time soon, and then sometimes unplanned happens....funny....thank you again I love them.! Alf bought me a painting for my birthday "Paris Roof Tops" so the insight of the picture is so incredible!
Bon Nuit! Mon Cherie!!!
Those pictures are great. I totally agree with Marc's observation about the crowd being like a painting. I just loved the short visit we had to Paris and will never forget how nice you were to give us a suggested itinerary to help us decide what to do. It's a gorgeous city. I would love to go back.
The game is really funny. I should play that with Lori here (except our accents just might give us away). But as far as looking like a tourist/American. She is trying to get used to the colored money and has to look closely when she pulls the bills out to see how much she's got. Same with coins. Always a dead giveaway.
that game is so funny. what a wonderful thing that you have it written down.
green with envy!
I LOVE the game. I was cracking up when I read the rules. I love traveling, but Paris always scares me. If I could just speak the language. 2 quarters in college did NOTHING. argh. It is nice that they have the knowledge of Paris so they can even play the game.
I agree with you- up on the roof sounds like a BAD idea. I would freak out climbing to the top of Notre Dame.
The crowd comment is very insightful. I have never thought of it that way. Americans are like ants- to busy to enjoy anything.
Is your husband french or just a french fan? What does the tenured Professor (don't you love that you can say tenured Professor.. ahh the relief) teach at the Big BY?
Lara, he is a French professor!
What cool photos, and what a great email. I love what he said about the crowd looking like brush strokes, so true.
I can totally imagine Marc and Corry playing that game, it's nice that they get to take their trip there at the same time.
Those are really cool pictures!
I want to go to Paris with them. What a fun way to travel. I love the fireworks pictures, how beautiful. I am hoping to go in the next year or year and a half with a girlfriend of mine that lived there for a year and then served a mission there and then lived in England for 6 years when she was married. She goes back every year or so.
I thought maybe that was the case. DId y'all live in Paris/France for some of his education? I would love to live overseas. However, I think it will end up being some third world country.
Those pictures are so beautiful, but what else can you expect from Marc, the King of Paris?
When are we going? I don't like heights either, but maybe could have stomached it for such a wonderful view!!
Very cool pictures Michelle. I love the game, that will be a fun thing to have written down.
Post a Comment