21 Nov

Sally returned to Germany Sunday bearing some *fabulous* new perfume, new Moroccan plates, & 2 big bags of CHEETOS (thank you Franprix). I think she is well stocked now.

Saturday we had a heart-stoppingly expensive lunch near the Notre Dame with my German classmates (Soenke, Tim), with whom Sally was, of course, able to converse perfectly in German. We searched in vain for the bronze plaque that is supposedly out in front of the Notre Dame, marking the absolute center of Paris, from which all distance in France is measured. I have read that if you stand on the plaque & turn 3 times around, making a wish, your wish will come true. I couldn’t pass up that possibility. However, Tim astutely pointed out that I didn’t know which way you turn… clockwise? counterclockwise? If you turn the wrong way does the opposite of your wish come true?? I suppose it’s a good thing I couldn’t find the plaque, & perhaps have made a *terrible* error.

In the afternoon, Sally & I went up to the Arab neighborhoods & prowled about. For dinner, we chose a chic Eurotrash-Moroccan restaurant nearby, where we were served by the first gay Moroccan I have ever seen. Sunday we browsed the fantastic food shops of Rue Montorgueil, & Sally had the opportunity to practice her Arabic, much to her delight, & that of the shopkeeper !! It was very cool to see his amazement. I left her at the Lufthansa gate at CDG at about 2:30pm with big hugs all around!

I came back to the apartment & put up a string of Christmas lights to liven up the place. I then contacted Soenke & Tim (who were in the Louvre) & we decided to rendevous at chez moi (my place) for dinner. I suspect they knew I had cable TV, as they had been suffering terrible media withdrawals all week.

In a flash of brilliance, we decided to go out at about 8pm for a trip to both the Eiffel Tower & the tunnel where Princess Diana died. What a fantastic expedition. Soenke led us directly to the tunnel, where we observed/contemplated/photographed. There were many sentiments on the wall there. Incidentally, there was also a pre-existing gold flame monument of the Franco-American relationship there. Hmmm, based on a little French feedback I’ve gotten, I’m a little surprised that flame hasn’t been extinquished for the meantime… But that’s ok, even nations can agree to disagree.

Back to the expedition. As we were watching the incredibly beautiful lit-up Eiffel Tower from across the river, it started SPARKLING all over. It was incredible!!!! JE L’ADORE… We walked over the bridge to the tower & went all the way to the top, where I confronted my own personal fear of heights (last time I was in Paris, I went to the top & immediately descended after about 1.4 minutes). This time I even made it to the railing & looked down without fainting.

I’m wondering…. could things be BETTER here in Paris ? Everything has been so perfect already….

At Princess Diana’s tunnel:

At the Tour Eiffel:

At the top with Team Lufthansa:

Obvious evidence of an alien spaceship landing, as taken from the top of the Tour Eiffel: