At exactly 11:00 A.M. sirens screamed, police converged from every direction and vans containing barricades emptied their loads and, in mere seconds the Champs Elysee was closed to traffic. All in recognition of the Journee Sans Voiture. In no time at all, all the major routes in Paris were barred to motorized vehicles. Pedestrians appeared out of nowhere and the streets all became pedestrian malls. Brenda and I witnessed all of this from the comfort of the famous Fouguet's, a Champs Elysee bistro that is so famous, they can charge very silly prices for everything on their menu. We had been walking all morning and, after yet another wonderful bistro lunch, it appeared that we would be unable to make it back to the hotel for the arranged van pickup. So, we had to grab a cab back. Fortunately taxis were exempt from the traffic ban. In fact our cab driver had the radio cranked up, was singing at the top of his voice and proclaiming that he was "king for a day". I must say that taking a Paris cab with no other cars on the road was an almost surreal experience. Needless to say, we made it back to the hotel for the pickup with time to spare.
Right on time, two dark blue vans arrived at our hotel to take our motley crew the three hours to the barge tied alongside a narrow canal, with cattle and peaceful countryside all around. Our adventure had begun and in mere seconds our champagne welcome began. The rest of the afternoon / evening began to get a bit hazier but suffice to say that a memorable first night on board was had by all. Tomorrow at 8:45, the lines will be cast off and we will be underway.
The pics are:
1- Closing the Champs Elysee
2- Brenda returning to the "scene of the crime.......in joke"..........Fouquet's
3- The girls "van up" for the ride to the barge
4- After a three hour drive the champagne sure tasted great
5- All in berets for the first amazing dinner......and they are only getting better
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