Luxembourg Gardens Gambol

With conference duties about completed, it was time to explore a bit of the city. Today we walked from our apartment to the Luxembourg Gardens, a lovely sixty acre spot in the middle of the city. I guess the French Senate meets there, and Rick Steeves told us that the French CIA has their headquarters underneath the greenery. There were very friendly heavily armed soldiers and police at various points and they all seemed like they were intent on doing their job but not freaking anyone out. One little boy was asking a soldier for directions near the corner of the palace and I do not think I saw a friendlier smile today than the one that graced the machine gun-wielding guardian. I like 'em! We also passed by a huge indoor greenhouse sort of building where they keep huge potted orange trees, etc., and bring them out with fork lifts when winter is over. It was all very impressive.

We also saw a great little Statue of Liberty, the second one we have seen in our overseas trips (the first one was at Cadeques, Spain.) We walked home from the park, stopped for a late lunch of pork for me and rabbit for Jayne, and then discovered there were more that CIA operatives underneath our feet. We passed by a huge line of people and when we investigated discovered they were waiting to see the catacombs; centuries of bones piled deep beneath the surface of the pleasant street we were on. We agreed that we would pass on that attraction.

We have been shopping at little markets that specialize in wine, cheese, and of course, bread. Its all good.