Today is the anniversary of D-Day, and it is quite the big deal over here. The news is full of events in Normandy. I guess I was suprised how big it is considering it doesn't get so much notice in the US (at least that's how it seems to me). I look forward to a visit to Normandy while I'm here. The other very big news here is Barack Obama's visit (and that of his family, also). He and his family are a bit like rock stars over here! I didn't go downtown today, but there seemed to be a number of crowds to cheer him on. And, although I didn't understand, the people interviewed on the news seemed to be gushing over him. It is nice to see a positive feeling towards an American. I'd say he's more uniformly popular here than in the US.
It was a grey, rainy, cold day earlier, so I did some cleanup on my computer. But I decided I had to get out and headed to Le Defense. I've mentioned it seems a bit dead on weekends. I stand corrected. I wanted to check out a big building that is across the esplanade from my work. Well, it's a big-ass Mall. Like the kind you find in big cities (not like in Tucson). It had about 3 or 4 floors, a Virgin superstore, a Costco (actually "Costorama"), a huge grocery store, and everything in between (note the golden arches in the picture - lower left corner). The Levi's store had jeans for about 100-120 Euros/pair (makes you feel pretty good about $35-50). And it was CROWDED (which figures on a grey day). Lots of different choices for eating - including sushi that winds it's way by tables on a conveyor belt (and you pick off what you want). There were a number for buger places also. By the way, if you do come to France, you can't go wrong with blue jeans - lots of people wearing them. I also no longer worry if I look different - this is a big city and most everyone looks different. (However, I still doubt that I'll wear anything less than slacks and dress shirt for work.)
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