Champs Elysees

Our trip to the Champs Elysees turned out to be a strange one. Once we got off the subway and walked up to the street we noticed there was no traffic. Instead, there were helicopters flying above, armed guards standing by and people pressed up against street barricades.

We asked one of the guards what was going on. The only thing I could understand from his reply in French was, "Mr. Bush" and "Champs Elysees." A minute or two later this huge motorcade drove by. The odd thing was there was no clapping, or booing, just silence.


Like elsewhere, Bush is unpopular in France. He stopped here as part of his farewell European tour to celebrate warmer ties between the United States and France. I actually met Bush once, but that's a whole other story.

Back on the Champs Elysees, one of the most well-known streets in the world, we strolled by the famous cafes and specialty shops. The avenue is also home to huge chain stores like the Gap, Nike and the fanciest McDonald's you'd probably ever see.


On our subway trip back to the Bastille, I was carrying Ediza in my arms and Amber was wearing the empty backpack. I had just stepped on the crowded train when, just like in the movies, the door quickly shut, leaving Amber trapped outside. She caught the next train, however, and we were later reunited.