Tour de France

This is cyclist Lance Armstrong:

They drink champagne shortly before they get into Paris.
(Not my photo)

Here's cyclist Lance Armstrong approaching my Paris apartment:

He's one of the blue and yellow guys out front.
(This clearly is my photo - no telephoto lens)

Here' is the rest of the pack under my window.
Can you believe how close they ride?

So people stood in my neighborhood for hours to watch them go by in a split second. We were really lucky to be able to watch the race on TV and just duck our heads out the window when the time came.

But about an hour before they arrived, we did get some bonus entertainment. The sponsors have a parade as they make their way down to the finish line at the Champs Elysees. I really enjoyed it. Ella watched for a few minutes before saying, "Call me when the bicycles come." Eric enjoyed it a few more minutes before heading back to his computer.

Here are some parade highlights:

Lots of bicycle-themed floats. Go figure ...

Party truck with girls dancing to Lady GaGa.
There were a lot more of these in the AIDS/Gay Pride parade,
and the girls were dressed better. Only a couple in this parade.


A little slice of Chocolate City USA with
a cup of Nestles Hot Cocoa


Water babe squirting the crowd