A Rainy Day in Paris

Dear Mother,

We have seen the sun on rare moments, but day after day has offered rain in one form or another.  Janice said that there was thunder and a very heavy downpour here, but where I was downtown, we just had rain.  I did notice, however, that this offered some opportunities for more photos (surprise!)  Some of these were taken near the Bastille and the rest in the general area of St Paul's.

I could see that rain was coming, though it took a few minutes to realize that the wind was from the east, not west, and therefore I needed to find shelter.

I walked into one of those neat carriage entry ways which give access to old inner streets.  The overhead protection let me repack my bag, and get out my rain coat and umbrella.

Some graffiti looked good in the lighting offered by dark sky and weak sun from the west.  I have no idea how those guys got up that high.  Even ladders on a slanting slate roof would be a challenge.

Marked had just closed, so the city's water truck was hosing off the stones.  Paris is good at cleaning up after demonstrations and markets.

This looks like the new opera house near Bastille, but I neglected to shoot anything that identifies it absolutely.

This man has one very colourful rain jacket.  If I was courageous, I would have asked permission to get a closeup.

As the sprinkles began, fans were heading into various bars with tvs to watch England eventually beat Wales in the very last seconds.  The British press declares that the win was deserved, but little Wales put up a good fight.

I waiting under a store's awning during the heavy rain.  So did this young lady (at the adjacent store).  Since she was occupied by her telephone conversation, I was able to take her photo.

The smooth pavement throughout Paris collects water which reflect light beautifully.  I bought a book devoted entirely to reflections on wet Parisian sidewalks.

Rain need not stop lovers from talking things through while waiting under an umbrella.  She didn't look very happy, though.

The sun did shine for a few minutes this morning, so I shouldn't complain, but my short sleeved shirt has been resting, undisturbed, for the entire month.  Sadly, I likely won't need it much in Vancouver either.

All for now, with love from us both,

Evan