"An American in Paris"

While strolling through Paris you are quickly immersed in a vibrant, European joie de vie but the importance of the French and American alliance is never far from view.

George Washington, Commander of the Continental Army and our first President, rides on his horse just blocks from the Eiffel Tower. President Jefferson stands watch over the Musee D'Orsay by the River Seine, and President Wilson is honored with his own Avenue in recognition of his support of the Allies in World War I and fostering the idea of international cooperation through the League of Nations.

During our reflection writing after the first semester, The Thinker reminded us of the importance of reflection. Here he is in his own garden area outside the Rodin Museum. The original smaller version is safe inside the museum


The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French people to the Americans in 1884 as an expression of friendship and the commitment to liberty for all. A smaller version of the statue stands on a piece of land in the River Seine and can be seen by all from the many boats that travel the river.

A replica of the liberty torch stands next to one of the many bridges that cross the Seine.

Benjamin Franklin, a favorite of the French people in the 1780s, looks out over the Trocadero, one of the busiest intersections in Paris.







While Americans love their SUVs, the French are learning to love this tiny electric car. The streets are filled with these fast moving, low cost, clean cars. Two things I did not see in Paris: a Starbucks or a parking place!

Popular American items are readily available in Paris but at steep price. The big 2 on the Coke machine indicates that a can of Coke costs 2 euros or about $2.70. This was a bargain as most cafes charge $4.oo. The value of the dollar has been on a steady decline for the past four years. On an earlier trip to Europe in 2001, the euro was worth .75 cents which made traveling a bargain. Now it's about $1.35. Be on the lookout for an influx of European tourists this summer as they flock to the US as a bargain spot.

So with a nod and merci to George Gershwin (for the blog title) I say, "a bientot."