I dreamt I was on my way to France

Last night I dreamt that I was on a plane to France.  It was exciting, I was almost there, but then I woke up to an apartment in disarray.  Still, it makes me tres excited...I will be there in a week.


Tom did make it safely this past Tuesday morning, and has many wonderful things to say about it, but I am going to post his first pictures, since that I believe will express much more.  Maybe I can get him to contribute to a post when he's not tackling some malware research.

I think the university track

Our studio apartment

A bridge over the Mayenne River

Another scenic Mayenne picture

The railroad track

Paris Under Siege

Ahh, holiday weekend.  Excited about sleeping in, but then I can't seem to fall back asleep this morning.  Haven't picked up my 7 lb book about Americans in Paris in awhile, and I need to finish it before I leave for the trip, cause it just won't fit in my luggage.

My mother-in-law(Ma Belle Mere en francais), gave me this book for my birthday in June by a writer named David McCullough.  The full title is "The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris."

What I enjoy about this book is that I get to read about some interesting American politicians, artists, writers, musicians and would be doctors who journeyed to Paris to become involved in European politics, make a mark on Parisian ears, attend the highly developed schools and become apprentices to master artists.  Their journey over the Atlantic was dangerous, but they were compelled to go for many reasons.

Today was a bit grim, as the pages I covered were recollections of France declaring war on Prussia(modern day Germany) on July 15th 1870.  There was an initial excitement by the French, but then an inability to withstand the strength of the Germans who put them under a siege in Paris for a miserable fall and winter.  Many died of starvation and sickness from the cold or small pox if they weren't involved in protecting the city.  People resorted to eating the unimaginable; dogs, cats, sparrows, and rats. 

An American, who the author goes into much detail about in this chapter is Elihu Washburne, the ambassador of the U.S. at the time.  He remains in the city to help fellow Americans and Germans who were living in Paris at the time try to leave the country or house and feed those in need.  He seemed to serve his post well though the situation grew dismal each day, and he became sick from long hours at work, illness, and sadness from time to time(du temp au temp).

Paris surrendered after the 131st day of the siege to Washburne's delight

"Hail mighty day! Not a gun is heard today, the most profound quiet reigns..."(p. 301)

McCullough, David.  The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris. New York. Simon and Schuster, 2011.