Paris (the name of an old Celtic tribe) that settled in the area 4,000 years ago. The Roman Empire ruled Paris for almost 5 centuries. Spoke Latin - not French. When Roman Empire left, locals free to speak native language.
In Paris, 95% buildings - very few houses with gardens. Metro system second oldest in the world (behind London). Because of pollution, the buildings get very dark. It is required that all buildings are cleaned every 10 years. Encouraging more to use bikes. First city to have electric cars and now electrical bikes for rent $40/year that you can pick up anywhere and take all over.
Many islands throughout Paris. Many live in houseboats - buy or rent and pay taxes just like an apartment. City is divided into 20 areas. There are 37 bridges in Paris. Very green city - interesting way to trim the gardens.
Eiffel Tower was built for the World Fair 1889 exhibition. Wanted to show new iron construction techniques. Parisans are voting on new color - red proposed. 1,800 feet tall. Locals hated the tower. Today it is a landmark and the world's most visited private exhibition. Originally, Intended to be a temporary building. But Gustoff Eiffel found a way to save it - in 1914, during WWI, radio transmissions warned of German invasion and protected the city of Paris.
Did you know?
Department stores were created in 19th century to protect the ladies from the weather so they could shop longer without fear of messing up their hair.
The oldest hospital - Hotel Dieu = God Hospital because one had to pray very hard to make it out of the hospital. A doctor created the guillotine to help patients who were suffering for a long time before they died. Not intended for torture.
Every summer, the Paris government brings in sand along the Seine River to create a beach area for those who don't have money or time to go on vacation. School is free - even university and Medical/Law school.
The Louvre (now famous museum which hosts the infamous Mona LIsa) was built as a fortress in the 12th century to protect Paris from the Vikings. Each King and queen built a new wing during their rule.
After our city highlights tour, we found a nice sidewalk cafe and had a beautiful lunch. After that, we found our way to the Louvre Museum in search of Mona. We met many delegates along the way - iincluding a brother that shared how "good" the pickpockets are in the museum. This brother, a diabetic, shared that he had a few alcohol swabs in his pocket when he arrived. He had none when we checked a short time later. He didn't even know he had been frisked!
Smiling ladies = going shopping after lunch!
Saw Michelle just walking down the streets of Paris! Good to see you again.
Are all these people going to see Mona?
Stacy looks like he's the real paparazzi - serious
Quick return to the hotel, followed by an amazing dinner cruise with over 200 delegates heading to Estonica and Bulgaria from all over the US. We ate, drank, and danced the night away. Even ran into some old friends from previous conventions and of course met many new friends. And the fun has just begun.
Had no idea. Not sure about that hospital they used to have. Guess that's one way to insure your patient gets better, if you don't off comes your head! That's a HMO that works- keeping those hospital stays short, haha. Loved the picture of you, Andria, waiting for the Metro. Oh and the whole bringing in sand for ones to have a beach for vacation-good idea!!
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ReplyDeleteDon't I would like to go to that hospital, lol. Love the pictures.
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