The Eiffel Tower Light Show for Orlando
Bonjour mes amis,
Last evening, though tired, sleepy and feeling our age, we made our way to the Eiffel Tower. . . when reasonable people should be heading to bed! There were special ceremonies in memory of the victims of the Orlando shooting. We felt we had to be there since it was our country which had been attacked by a madman. The most iconic symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, was certainly an appropriate way for the French to show their care and support of America.
Bernie stood for over two hours with his tripod to get these photos so kudos to him! I sat on the sidelines and visited with some very pleasant Parisians who wanted to talk about Mr. Trump! Quite interesting. It did not get fully dark until 11:15 when the show actually began. All in all, our day consisted of 15,000 steps!
The light show at first depicted the colors of the European countries playing in the European Cup with the suspended center ball changing to reflect the flag of the appropriate country. The final lights were for the United States, and then the rainbow tower concluded the show in reference to the LGBT community in light of the Orlando shooting. The featured image at the top of this post is not one of Bernie’s photos. It was taken from the LocalFrance web site. Merci for this great photo from obviously a privileged vantage point. This would be the time to take some extra effort to click on each photo and enlarge.
By the way, just a kind word for all the vendors at the Eiffel Tower. When you sit for two hours, you have time to take in more than a quick walk-through. These guys, yes, drive you crazy trying to sell their trinkets of the tower, their lights, beer, flags, whatever. But I must say, that theirs cannot be an easy life because of all of the rejection. Some are funny, quite charming, and certainly persistent. It takes all the pieces to make a puzzle, and their piece is definitely part of the total ambiance.
This morning we went on a photo shoot for our book with friend, Richard Nahem, and got caught by the rain. What a dreary, cold, rainy June so far in Paris! Here’s a couple of the choices, some of which I took. What do you think, given the book title is “Bernie’s Paris – Travel Stories with Love?” What would make you want to pick up the book if you didn’t know us? More choices will be forthcoming.
We love hearing from you and hope you are off to a great week.
A tout à l’heure
L & B
June 14, 2016 @ 1:58 pm
I like the one of Bernie and Eiffel.
Tell him great pics of the tower. Huntsville held a vigil last night.
June 14, 2016 @ 2:00 pm
Hi — all good photos! For the book cover, though, I think something happy, with both of you in it. Good photos of Bernie on the bridge & at the window but they seem very pensive. Something more energetic and laughing might attract more buyers? What do the rest of you readers think?
June 14, 2016 @ 2:05 pm
Thanks, Lea. Good input! Hope others will chime in.
June 14, 2016 @ 2:31 pm
I agree with Lea. One of your happy street scenes perhaps? Or one with a bright blue sky behind the Eiffel Tower. (hopefully you’ll get some blue skies soon!)
So, curious : what did the Parisians say about Trump? What is the general opinion over there?
June 14, 2016 @ 3:35 pm
Linda,
Bernie’s photos of the Eiffel Tower vigil literally made me weep. What a moving and meaningful way to mourn the victims of the Orlando carnage! A show of solidarity between the French and Americans always makes my heart sing.
As for the photos you submitted for the book, I am still partial to the one where Bernie is looking out over the river on a gray day. Yes, it is melancholy but it speaks volumes to me about his deep feelings for the city of his birth. The Eiffel Tower is majestic and lovely but it is man made and new by Parisian standards. The River Seine along with those iconic bridges seems eternal. To me they represent the heart and soul of Paris.
June 14, 2016 @ 3:39 pm
Wonderful thoughts, Dorcas. Thanks for sharing!
June 14, 2016 @ 11:48 pm
Linda, don’t let Bernie become an Ex-Pat! Jim
June 15, 2016 @ 5:18 am
For a different reason, I like seeing Bernie in color, smiling. He looks warm and interesting. Though having read your previous book, I know the book’s content will stand quite well on the writing alone.
June 15, 2016 @ 6:22 am
Thanks, Donna, for your input!
June 15, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
Wonderful photos! Bernie and you look so relaxed and engaged while enjoying the cafe’s and restaurants – it seems like a happy choice. The photos of the Eiffel Tower are moving
June 15, 2016 @ 1:47 pm
Thanks
June 15, 2016 @ 10:20 pm
These photos are especially enjoyable! The ones of the Eiffel Tower are moving. Thank you for working so hard to keep us in the know. I must say my favorite photo of Bernie is the one of him looking out over the river. I’m normally not a fan of cloudy days, but the clouds, Bernie and the river all work nicely together.
June 16, 2016 @ 4:36 am
Thanks!