For
me, France is a stroll down the Champs-Elysees,
a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe while
whispering "je t'aime," a kiss on
the River Seine, and a lingering moment at
the timeless Moulin Rouge; a mesmerizing
hour at the Musee d' Orsay, and postcards
written from Paris. Romance here can
start unexpectedly with just a smoldering
gaze from a stranger. Is there any
more beautiful way than to remember a
lyrical comment by a sensual French voice
making a pass at you? Surely
everyone is a lover in Paris? N'est-ce
pas?
But it is not just the Eiffel Tower, the Arc
de Triomphe, the Louvre's Mona Lisa, Venus
de Milo, and Rodin's "Thinker" or
the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, that attracts
the tourists, it is also the Opera District,
the railway station, the Ecole Militaire,
the gardens of Trocadero, the Palais de
Tokyo, Tuileries, the National Library and
the Pont-Neuf. It is especially the
atmosphere in the City of Light.
Everything about the country, all the way to
Provence, where lavender grows, inspires the
artists to create their masterpieces,
whether they sell their souls for millions
or just cheese and bread and a glass of
wine. Only in France can authors write
poetry and erotica with passion dripping
from their pens, or in this case, hot steam
rising from the keys of a laptop. I
could write an entire book about France, but
suffice is to say, it energizes the artist
and creates inspiration for painters,
violinists, movie directors, and even
dilettantes.
I have visited this country, the size of
Colorado, several times as I can't get
enough of their art, but more importantly,
because that is where my father is buried.
France suffered
extensive losses in wealth, manpower, as a
dominant nation-state, yet nevertheless, it
is one of the most modern countries in the
world, and a leader among European nations.
Since 1958, it has enjoyed a presidential
democracy. In recent years, its
reconciliation and cooperation with Germany
have proved central to the economic
integration of Europe, including its
acceptance of the euro. It is
presently making efforts to develop the EU's
military capability to supplement progress
toward an EU foreign policy.
Its
terrain is mostly flat with gently rolling
hills in the north and west with a
mountainous region, especially in the
Pyrenees in the south and the Alps in the
east.
The
Chief of State is President Jacques Chirac,
since 1995, and it has 22 regions, including
Alsace, Aquitaine, Basse-Normandie, Bretagne,
Champagne-Ardenne, Lorraine, Provence, Alpes,
Cote d' Azur, to name a few. Its
dependent areas are: Bassas da India,
Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French
Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic
Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Islands,
Wallis and Futuna. The US does not
recognize its claims to Antarctica.
Their legal system is based on civil law
with indigenous concepts. They have
the Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de
Cassation; judges are appointed by the
president from nominations of the High Council
of the Judiciary. The government has
partially privatized many large companies,
banks, and insurers. It retains
controlling stakes in several leading firms,
including Air France, and Renault, and is
dominant in some sectors, particularly
public transport and defense. France's
leaders remain committed to capitalism in
which they maintain social equity by means
of laws and taxes.
A
terrific time can be had in Paris, the
capital of haute couture, with a
comfortable pair of shoes to walk and wander
through the manicured Luxembourg Gardens, or
the elegant Place des Vosges, the boutique
packed Marais district. Public
transportation is excellent and inexpensive.
For a quick aperitif, take a bottle and
paper cup and head for the Pont des Arts.
In the city of romance anything goes!
Alinka
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