Bastille Day

July 14th. Bastille Day. This is a national holiday in France. It was the day the Bastille was stormed and the new French Nation was born. Always lots of fanfare and celebration.

I was in Paris one year on Bastille day and the Champs Elysees was shut down for a parade at dusk. It was a military parade in honour of some anniversary I can't remember. Possibly the liberation of Paris. Jeeps and soldiers and then tanks rumbled along the street. You could feel the earth shake. Quite oppressive and very daunting. People were very quiet. There was an old man next to me who started to get very emotional. It had brought flashbacks of the war to him. The last time he had witnessed tanks, and felt that ominous rumbling was during the occupation of Paris by the Nazi regime and then the liberation. Jets flew very low down the length of the boulevard and then fireworks erupted from the Arc de Triomphe and continued for thirty minutes!. Quite a spectacle.There were thousands of people in the crowds that night.

Another Bastille Day was spent on the tiny Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. Quite different. These salty wee islands are part of France  and are situated just off Newfoundland. The day started with a thick grey  fog that rolled in off the sea and later, in the town square, everyone was invited to share a small glass of wine with the Mayor and then  a feast of mussels for anyone who was inclined. Red, white and blue ribbons decorated lapels and small flags were draped gaily across windows and  door ways.

Two very different Bastille Days but interesting nevertheless.

Today's festivities  will include some painting, housekeeping and fitness activities!