August 4 2017 LeHarve

LeHarve serves as the port to Paris although Paris is 3 hours by bus away. Lilly chooses too travel and see a quick glimpse of the city, eat at the Eiffel tower, and visit the Louvre. She misses dinner so Steve Susan and I join her as she devours a much heartier meal than we had. She enjoys the countryside and reports seeing two red deer, one lying injured in a field. They pass through several little towns and she is able too enjoy the ride.  She of course does not have enough time but is glad she did it. She returns with stories of two blind people who are on the tour. We try to find something that blind people could have gotten from the tour- we fail to find anything. I wish I could ask! She also reports two falls, one without injury one with. An older gent fell down the stairs at the museum, injuring his arm and bleeding. Lucky they found bandages which he refused to let his wife put on but did let Lily. His pride obviously hurt.  THe story reminds me of 2005 when we were there with the girls and David hit is leg on some marble and bled like mad. Lucky at that time Becky had a “femine” product to absorb the blood until we could find bandaids outside the museum. What a laugh we had! We all discuss the future challenge of cruising as the population ages and so many people do not see their frailty. Europe is not very handicap accessible. Its cobblestone streets are charming but they are dangerous, slick, and impossible for wheelchairs. There is no ADA, few elevators, and no real consideration for those of limited mobility.

While Lily went to Paris, Steve Susan and I choose to explore this little port. It is the beginning of the River Seine. Completely destroyed by the Allies to prevent the Germans from using it in WWII it has a sad history. 5,000 civilians died and tens of thousands were left homeless. Thus most buildings were redone in 1940s and are boring concrete and sad looking. What a terrible time for artchecture- so different from the glory years of the past. There are four great things here. First, a very modern library that looks like a volcano. We stop here for information and find 4 walking trails and some information. Secondly, a cute indoor market, very clean with all the typical European produce laid out so beautifully. We may have more choice but theirs is certainly much nicer to look at. Naturally, the meat market has a pig displayed, but I find un-feathered (naked) chickens with claws and necks twisted around and heads still on. Not too appetizing. Third is a beautiful Catholic church which is a memorial to the sad event. It does not look like much from the outside but inside you see thousands of beautiful simple colorful stain glass window pains- a jewel. I’m certain when the sun shines (and of course it does not today) it is magnificent. We sit and listen to quiet beautiful music and reflect on the meaning behind starting anew, and the resilience of the people. Finally, we go to the Museum of modern art. Its standing collection is one of envy for any US art museum with Monet and Renior and more impressionists. The special exhibit is a unique one of Peire and Giles, two artists that use photography and paint. To say it was explicit is to simplify, yet children are there with no questions. Im not sure many of these would be shown in US. 

We stop for an amazing lunch that turns out too have been ranked #10 of 300 by trip advisor. No english- all french menu. Susan knew enough to identify fish so they order a fish stew that is huge. I figure out the words BBQ sauce and augratin potatoes and take a chance. I get finely sliced tender beef that is amazing. We head back on the 30 minute walk to the ship and pack.