Anyways, I get up and decide to visit the Champs Elysèes. I courageously navigate my way through the metro to find myself at my actual destination!! I exit the metro with fabulous shopping to my left, and to my left the Arc de Triomphe with a mob! Naturally I made my way over to watch the blue scrub wearing activist yell things in French, blow horns, hold signs, and pass out flyers. I overhear 2 older scottish women analyze the situation. I butt in and they kindly inform me these are frustrated doctors taking a stand against the financial cuts the government is making.
As you can see there is a nice audience to watch this scene. I stepped back to get a better look, and I'm glad I did! All of a sudden the whole crowd is stampeding towards me! I watch them pass me rubbing their eyes and coughing the words, "tear gas." NO WAY!! I've never been anywhere with tear gas! I had my big fancy shades on, so I wasn't effected, but I could start to taste it in the air. I can't imagine having that stuff actually in my eyes and mouth.
I apologize for the unasthetic appeal, but I can't seem to get this right and time is ticking.
These are pictures from after the tear gas. If you look on this picture to the left, you'll see a white sheet on the top of the Arc. That was a great plan that failed. The doctors had surprise people at the top pop up and drop this HUGE banner, that I'm sure had a powerful statement on it. Yet, sadly due to the windy weather, and lack of weights on the cloth banner, it stayed rolled up. I waited around hoping they would get it figured out; but after a few more failed attempts, I left for my shopping spree. I am currently wearing a new shirt. :)
awesome, Tash! i bet you'll never forget that experience!
ReplyDelete