Paris, Day 3 -- Pleasant Surprises

Today was the day of unexpected, pleasant surprises. Some of my best travel experiences have been these.  I think it’s something about blank canvas and all.

The Unexpected #1: Cross-fit Gym #1789 - Luxembourg Gardens!

I did my first run of my trip in and around Luxembourg Gardens.  Running through the “tail” I saw various workout equipment and did a short crossfit style workout.  

The Unexpected, #2: Paris Jazz Festival

A few hours later I went to the Paris Jazz Festival where Raul Midon was to perform the 4pm set.  The folks at the Black Paris Tours said they set up blanket there, so come on out.   For all practical purposes I don’t speak any French and I’m traveling solo, so it was nice to hang for a few hours with a chill group of people who could relate culturally.  Talking about graphic novels, being on both sides of the communications revolution (doing the you remember cassette tapes, rotary phones and beepers?) and diverging on the significance of Sally Hemmings and Jefferson was all food for the soul.  

That's me in the green shirt.   Turns out half these folks had Berkeley or Oakland connections,

The Unexpected, #3: No Rain Out

It was supposed to thunderstorm that afternoon, throughout Sunday’s jazz performances.  Apart from taking out the umbrellas to placate the couple kids with us and ward off a not-quite drizzle, it did not rain.  Considering the gathering was outdoors (the jazz itself was under cover) it was a leap of faith to go.   Faith rewarded.

The Unexpected, #4: What's it's not just any old park?

The say ignorance is bliss, which is half-true.*   But what if all you knew about the park was to take place is that it was a park?  What if the fine print of the event description, all in French, said, “Massages de cou gratuits a tous les spectateurs”?  You show up and you get way more than just a concert?  Score!  So there I am headed out to Parc Floral de Paris at the Chateau de Vincennes stop?  Little do I know this is THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF PARIS!!!  And considering that the Parisiens hang flower and plants EVERYWHERE well, you know the bar is set kinda high.

So, upon gather our things and bidding farewell and ignorant of what this park really is, I decide to walk the park because, why not?  Oh snap!  This park is nuts,  Bonzai gardens, bamboo ensconced tea houss, a room dedicated to Succulents du Monde, medicinal plants garden and oh yeah, c’mon now, all those dang flowers and plants are just, um, really pretty.

 The Unexpected, #5: Chateau de Vincennes
What if, like, you lived across the street from a castle?  Dang.