Playing tennis on dirt began today in Paris

Yesterday, we were at the site of the French Open tennis tournament, and today the action began. Venus Williams won. Jo-Wilfred Tsongas also won. Yesterday was children's day, but they let us in for 19 euros a piece, and we were able to see some practice sessions and part of an exhibition match featuring Gael Monfils. Gino and I were able to pose in front of a statue of Henri Cochet, one of the hallowed French tennis heroes from the 1920's and 1930's, he of the Four Musketeers. As you can see, it was kid's day at Roland-Garros.


This young lady was engaged in a practice session when we arrived and this is one of the first photos I took on one of the outer courts. Notice the reddish dirt she's playing on. I don't know who she is, but she was really good and well able to beat me, even on my best days. I would, however, like to have a chance to hit tennis balls with her or someone of her ability one day. There were plenty of empty seats so I expect good viewing when we attend the event on Tuesday.



We also saw Marcos Baghdatis in a practice session. He's from Cyprus and is ranked 29th in the world. He's as good a tennis player as there is in this tournament, and he can really smack a tennis ball. Notice the two handed backhand.


Today we went for a walk on the left bank to see Notre Dame Cathedral. The smiling faces below were my companions for the hike. We were resting near the cathedral after walking along the Seine River a bit and dodging the crowds of tourists. It's Sunday and the French tourists were here, too.

We spent about 15 minutes in the memorial to French victims of the holocaust in World War II. It's locating on the tip of the Ile de la Cite, very near Notre Dame. It was stark and quite affecting, a reminder of how inhumane humans can be to each other.

On the way to lunch we witnessed a typical Paris parking job. Space for cars is so scarce that they are forced to park with the bumpers firmly pressed against the car in front.


This is the Greek restaurant where we had Greek gyros French style. Maison de Gyros on Rue Xavier Prive in the Latin Quarter. Good vittles.


On the way back here, we stopped in front of Notre Dame, planning to go in to view the innards, but were dissuaded by the long line. Instead I photographed this performance artist, very near Point Zero, dressed in costume and hoping to be rewarded with euros. She left soon after the photo was executed.


Later we went to the cemetery where Jim Morrison of the Doors is buried. The tombs are well documented in the blog written by Mr. Moohoo, today, so I'm skipping by the particulars. And even later, on the way home, we stopped for highly overpriced drinks at Harry's New York Bar - a place frequented by Ernest Hemingway when he lived here back in the 1930's.

Then some dinner at a bistro on the corner. Tomorrow promises more adventures and a lot of walking again.