Pentultimate Paris

A slick early journey to the Barcelona airport, where the rot set in. Our original arrival here was marred by inadequate passport systems and now departure,through Air France, was worse. We lined up for the personal service only to be firmly directed to the “Quick Check-In” machines. Forty minutes later and with 2 malfunctioning machines, we defiantly lined up with The Person. We were joined by a bevy of equally disgruntled passengers. As there seemed to be several passengers that had ticket issues even with The Person, we put ourselves in two different lines to see who could be served first. Finally through and thumbs up to our fellow annoyed -people who were pleased that at least one of us  was on their way.   Security flowed well and arrival in Paris was slick as most of our fellow passengers had connecting flights so there were few people collecting baggage. Forty minute taxi to our small hotel.
After a hot and correct-strength coffee with a fresh bruschetta, we began to wander. Parisians were enjoying their day off, outside of their apartments.    We just happened to reach the St Martin Canal as cruise boats were negotiating the locks and the swing bridges. Watching the entertainment was a thing to do. So was les glaces.  The afternoon stroll revealed activities for everyone...children’s games, sand pits, enjoying the water play, painting. For the next generations there was skateboarding, youth building their muscles at park equipment, couples playing pétanque while sipping a beer, permanent table tennis tables, checker games and even the time for that favourite French pastime, a demonstration. This one was against the military regime in Algeria.
On the tourist side I walked to both Place de Republique and Bastille. The latter, with its grand modern Opera House, was a far cry from the smaller less congested meeting place where Lorraine and I celebrated NYE in 1973. I also found Place Des Vosges. True, the architectural design had that French appeal, but the revelation was the internal park area that was CROWDED with those wanting to relax on a patch of grass.
By the time we sought dinner, it was 7.45 and places were busy. We opted for a pleasant Japanese restaurant.   A sleep-in tomorrow.