Day 6: Our world through an ice cream cone

Good morning.

I am sitting for breakfast at our new hotel in Paris.  It is a modern looking hotel and at first glimpse, one would think that their Wifi would be stellar.  When we first arrived, I connected my phone, and all things were working well.  I could not, however, keep my laptop connected...and therefore, could not compose my blog last night.  I apologize for those who have grown accustom to reading this blog at a regular time, but such is the way of the world.  I hope that today's posts will make up for the difference. We returned to the hotel at 12am and we had an amazing day/night in the city of lights.  Lets, however, go back in time a bit to complete the picture in your mind.

We awoke early this morning and departed our little bed and breakfast hotel in rural France and began our trip to Paris.  We stopped for lunch in the town of Chartes.  There is a cathedral in this town that is considered one of the nicest in the world.  It was very beautiful.  Inside the cathedral is a relic.  It is a veil supposedly worn by the Virgin Mary.  I'm not religious, but I do thoroughly enjoy walking through cathedrals.  The artwork, architecture, and ambiance all make it worthwhile.

On the bus to Chartes, if you look closely, you can see some of the kids!!!

Cathedral of Chartres

Inside the cathedral.

The veil of the Virgin Mary.

The stop in Chartres had another purpose, it was also our lunch stop for the day.  Near the Cathedral, there were several lunch options.  Most of the kids, from what I gathered, stopped at a sandwich shop where they practiced more of their new found foreign language.  I took off on an adventure to find my favorite European meal: Doner Kebab.  I had been waiting to order one since our arrival in London, but couldn't find a restaurant at the right time...in Chartres, however, I was successful.

My first Doner Kebab of 2015; It won't be the last.

Feeling full and accomplished, we headed to our real destination, Paris.  The road trip for the day totaled about 5 hours.  We were making great time until we go to the ring road that surrounds the city...it is like Rt. 128.  Traffic was fine and then it was not.  An accident, no idea if it was serious, slowed traffic down considerably and made us arrive at the B & B Hotel later than expected.  At this point, we are experts at loading/unloading the coach and we quickly entered our rooms, got ready for the night, and assembled in the lobby.  David gave us some quick metro instructions and we were off.

Our first stop was another cathedral.  The Cathedral of Notre Dame is perhaps one of the most famous in the entire world and your kids have all been there!!!  It is beautiful on the inside and out.

Some of the kids waiting in front of the Cathedral de Notre Dame

For me, a trip to the Ile de la Cite always has a special meaning.  I am an advisor for a youth group called DeMolay.  While a member of this youth group, I learned about a man named Jacques DeMolay.  He was the leader of a group of knights (The Knights Templar) who was accused of heresy.  DeMolay and the knights had accumulated a lot of wealth and the accusations were really a ploy to steal the wealth of the Order for the King of France.  DeMolay was ultimately executed, but he refused to identify the other members of the order or where their wealth was...the location is special to me, because it is where DeMolay was burned at the stake.  Twenty years ago, on my first trip to Paris, a small group of us took off to find this site.  It really was an adventure.  I was a teenager and just thought it would be neat to be there.  When we finally found the location, I got the chills.  It is hard for me not to remember that moment because of the profound impact the organization DeMolay has had on me for the past 25 years.  The group teaches leadership skills and responsibility, but it does so in a setting that is rich with history.  I doubt that I would have become a teacher if not for this wonderful organization...so, I broke away from our group quickly and made my way to the spot of DeMolay's execution.  It is a pilgrimage of sorts for me.  Ever since that first visit, whenever I've returned to Paris, I have made my way to this spot.  A couple of the kids traveling with us this year know about DeMolay because their fathers were members.  If, during free time, they express an interest in seeing this spot, I will be gladly taking them back. For me, the spot has become more than just the historic marker...it is a little place in France that feels like home.  Whenever I return, I stop and reflect on how lucky I've been in my life to have visited this place so often and to be so comfortable when in this wonderful country.

A sign commemorating the spot where DeMolay died.  

A selfie in front of the sign.  I couldn't do this when I first made my way there over 20 years ago.

I met back up with the group and we headed off to lunch.  Our restaurant was located just on the outskirts of the Latin Quarter.  It's name was Hippopotamus.  A strange name, yes, but it was a fine restaurant.  We got roast pork and potatoes au gratin.  Some of us splurged and bought some soda.  David then escorted us through the Latin Quarter.  It was in this region of Paris that the story of Les Miserables took place in...the student revolution was comprised of students of the Sorbonne from which the quarter's name originally developed.  The original school taught Latin to the Monks.  It's uneven roads and narrow streets gives the quarter an old medieval feel, but it is filled with life.  Kebab stands galore!!!  We saw the narrowest house and walked down one of the narrowest streets.  Our quick tour complete, we headed back to the Metro.  Our next stop would be the Eiffel Tower.

The Metro in Paris is different than the T or the Tube and so I was excited for our kids to experience it.  They did great.  You need to open the doors yourself on these trains by lifting a latch or pushing a button.  It can be a little intimidating, but not for the kids on this tour.  They seemed very comfortable.

Taking a photo on the Metro is dangerous business...you never know when the train will jerk one way or the other...we barely got this picture off in time.  Kudos to Mr. Bemis for the photobomb of the trip, so far!!!

  
We ascended the Metro stairs to the blue skies of Paris, seriously, they were blue...no smog yesterday.  As we walked from the station, we could see the Tower in front of us.  The anticipation in the kids was tremendous.  With each approaching step, you could hear their excitement.  The faux sound of film cameras snapping pictures was like a symphony to my ears.  These moments are what student travel is all about.  We arrived to the base of the Tower and then crossed to the Seine.  Our boat was waiting for us.  We boarded for our river cruise.  There were little headsets available for the ride, but most of our kids were just interested in taking pictures of old stuff, lol.  I gave an impromptu tour of the things we were seeing, but my knowledge is not what it used to be.  I hope the kids enjoyed it.  Here are some photos:

These kids had to suffer through my tour; more bad jokes than good history!!!

The kids took a thousand pictures like this one!!!

A quick group photo while more kids were waiting for the cross walk. 

Notre Dame

An app on my phone allows for this postcard style selfie.

The highlight for many of the kids was getting the Parisians on the banks to cheer for us.  It was really quite neat to see the number of people sitting down with some wine and cheese...or ice cream...just hanging out and enjoying the evening.  The kids kept on saying they want to come back and just sit here, waving at others enjoying their night.  I know exactly how they feel.  Paris, like Boston, has recently undergone some tough moments.  It was so refreshing to me to see that the people of Paris are strong and resilient.  They are Charlie just as we are Boston Strong.

After the cruise, we went back to the Eiffel Tower.  All of the kids were determined to take the stairs.  First, it is quicker than waiting in the elevator line.  Second, it is cheaper.  Third, it is something you can say you've done.  I, on the other hand, am not comfortable with heights and I've already been there and done that.  It was getting dark as they ascended and so I thought I'd break away and try to get some quality night pictures that they might share.

Our group buying tickets to walk the 760 stairs to the top.

I think this one came out pretty good.  A nice contrast of colors and you can see the large crowd of people just having picnics.

This one is through the Holocaust memorial at the end of the garden.

The lighting on this one makes the effect somewhat surreal.

Another App makes it look like I drew this with colored pencils or something.

This is from the base of the Tower.

Every hour, the Tower puts on a light show.  It last about 5 minutes, but I recorded three of them for your viewing pleasure.  I wish I thought to play music through my phone.

After my photo session ended, I returned to the base of the Tower to wait for the kids.  I saw a little cart selling ice cream and decided a couple of scoops would be in order; I got Tiramasu and Pistachio.  I ordered in French.  The young man working there was super receptive to my attempt and he even told me that my French was very good. It was an experience that David had said would occur.  He told us to try the language and the people will love it.  Our kids have embraced that philosophy and you can hear them practicing with each other all the time.  I found some kids and they were jealous of my ice cream.  I sent them off to the cart, but followed quickly behind.  There, our kids ordered their own ice creams in French.  The young man working was full of smiles.  I thought it was appropriate for another picture.

I entitled today's post, "Our world through an Ice Cream Cone" because of the universal nature of that delicious treat.  Standing with our group is an old Japanese man. He was there, listening to our kids order, and enjoying the moment.  When I saw him, I wanted him in the picture as well.  We often forget how similar we are to each other even if our worlds are very different.  Ice Cream makes us all smile.  Near this stand, there are many young men selling replica Eiffel Towers.  Their stories are so different than mine.  I've been visiting Paris for 20 plus years for enjoyment.  They are in Paris because of the terrible dangers they are facing in their homes.  They live in places like Pakistan, India, Senegal, and other nations ravaged by political unrest and violence.  They are good people with unfortunate back stories.  While waiting around this ice cream stand, hundreds of people were taking pictures, smiling, and ordering ice cream.  I was enamored with commonality we were all displaying.  Just as I included this elderly Japanese man in my picture, a group of men from Jordan wanted me in their pictures.  This world is full of people who just want to take a picture and order an ice cream.  There are way more of us than those who cause violence and distress.  I feel like writing to Ben, or perhaps Jerry, and telling them this.  Maybe with a little more Ice Cream we can also have a little more peace.

Well, we are about to gather up and head out for another day in Paris.  A sight-seeing tour and a trip to Versailles awaits.  Thanks for your patience.  I hope it was worth the wait.  If tech troubles strike me again, I'd suggest a cone of Rocky Road. :)

Mr. Lavoie, currently in Paris giving you the scoop about our trip.