Leftovers

Leftover pics from last Saturday's stroll:

Funny faces on Pont Neuf ("the New Bridge", although it ironically happens to be the oldest bridge in Paris, from the time of Henry IV). I love these.

Close-up of statue of Charlemagne and some other random dude (seriously, can anybody tell me who this guy is? He has a sweet mustache) in the parvis de Nôtre Dame.

Flying buttresses!!!

Topic of Day: evil, faceless corporations. The U.S. is the home of Wal-Mart, McDonald's, Starbucks, and any number of other chains poised to take over the world given the opportunity. France, in contrast, is much more cautious about protecting its small businesses. Did you know that the government regulates when businesses are allowed to have sales in order to avoid smaller businesses having to compete against large ones? Anyways, even if it smells a little too socialist for my American-raised nose, I have to say that it's better than what the U.S. seems to be turning into in recent years. The vote goes to the French for having less evil, faceless corporations. It's tied up, my friends: 10 apiece!

French for the Day: "You're room is a pigsty!" is translated as, "Ta chambre est une porcherie!"