Foire de Paris

We headed out to the Foire de Paris on Saturday with Hélène.  They have EVERYTHING that is made in France (and neighboring countries) including furniture, lighting, camping equipment, pools, women's wear, creams, food, drink etc., etc.

This year, there was a large area dedicated to the French Islands including French Polynesia, Guadaloupe, Martinique etc.

Laurent explaining about the Chateauneuf du Pape as he pours us his wine.

How could we not buy his special flavored wines??

We bought the Sangria Rouge....yum!

This foire is held every year at the Porte de Versailles.

Bob's last jazz band performance :(

Bob performed at International Day at his school on Saturday.  How sad that this will be his last performance in high school - where did the time go?

Even his jazz band leader played with the band - he is a wonderful instructor!

I love this painting on the large metal shutters that are down when this bistro is closed.  This is at the bus stop where we have to cross the Seine River to get to Bob's school.

Parc de Sceaux

On Friday, we spent a lovely day walking around Park de Sceaux.  The park is south of Paris and it is a park that Leesa goes to quite a bit.

Futbol in the park....

Us at the back of the chateau.  Leesa took this picture.

In the cherry tree section of the park...

Rabbit Island

Right in the middle of the roundabout at Porte Maillot (between the 16th and 17th arrondisement), is a little park with a lot of rabbits.  It's incredible to see them happily hopping around on their own little island.

They even have a great view of the Arc de Triomphe!  What a life!

Blue Skies in Paris

Nothing but blue skies in Paris on Friday.  There were no ashes from the Eyjafjallajoekull eruption as well as no plane contrails....

Saturday was a carbon copy of Friday...

Manifestation !!!

We joined our friend, Hélène, and the Anesthesiologist Nurses in their protest against government changes in their job vs. education status and compensation. Anesthesiologist nurses have a very critical role in surgery and it takes years of additional education past their nursing degrees to perform the job.  Now, to save money, the French goverment wants to change the rules and base their pay and benefits not on the work they do everyday, but on the type of school they attended in the past.   It is simply not fair.

We protested mainly in front of and around the French National Assembly (which is similar to the House of Commons in the UK or the House of Representatives in the USA)

Rehydrating...protesting is hard work!  :-)

I hope that this sign on my back doesn't say "kick me".

Tom and I, looking very anesthesiologist nurse-like...

A mad protester (aka Tom)...

Hélène...

The Concorde across the Seine River

Lunch time!  A baguette, cheese and wine!  I love France!

Marching along the Seine...

Bob's 18!!!

Usually, we head up to the Trocadero for Bob's birthday picture.  This year, we were short on time so the Eiffel Tower (thanks to Hélène) came to us.

A few days later, we went to Bob's favorite Sushi restaurant on his actual birthday.