Day #3 in Paris

Part 1: Today is all about Faith, Love, and Joy in the city of Paris (I mean it is the city of love right?!!). Got to see the Notre Dame, cross over the Pont Neuf and Pont de Arts, ate some amazing crepes (nutella and bananas)....and tonight I will be able to witness an occasion of love between my cousin Quan Lateef and her future husband and soon-to-be my cousin [too :-)] Willard Hill !! 

Nothing like that Black Love!!

Got to visit Pont des Arts and Pont Neuf where there is a sea of "love locks"!! It's so disheartening that some municipal folks in Paris are trying to get rid of this undying symbol of love! Just looking at all of them gave me a little piece of love that I will always cherish and take back with me. #paris #love #locksoflove #quanandwillardwedding

Notre Dame Cathedral 

Stay tuned for Part 2!! Much Love!!

Part 2: Let me just I am truly blessed to have an opportunity to travel the world and see all the sights that the world has to offer. I truly appreciate being able to explore the beauties of the world while still on this great Earth. 

So today's adventure (as mentioned earlier) included viewing a well-known landmark in Paris the wall of "love locks" on the Pont des Arts & Pont Neuf bridge. And for over 6 years there have been almost 3,000 padlocks of all shapes, colors and sizes locked to the bridges and emblazoned with messages of eternal love. Just looking and adding my own lock of love was truly a moment to remember! (Even got to see a red lock that had DST on it). And to think there are several folks who are trying to get rid of these locks and destroy the love. Also note that the Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris. At one time this bridge would be the center many crimes, executions, commerce trades, and now a site of passion and love. (see above picture)

Next I would visit the Notre Dame, such a beautiful piece of architecture! To date, Notre Dame is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. Many weddings would be officiated here, of course we know the novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame would have its basis here. (see above picture)

Also I would get an opportunity to sit and soak in the spirit of some great ancestors at the Cafe de Flore. At this cafe, some of the greatest African American intellectuals spent hours debating, like writer Richard Wright who would have heated discussions with other intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir in the famous literary cafe hotspots, Cafe de Flore and Deux Magots. Blossoming, new ideas from these enlightening discussions would be injected into future novels and essays with a more global outlook. (Maybe I need to take an extended stay just to get my intellectual juices flowing!)

And before I let you go, here are just a few other facts for today:
-Anna Julia Cooper at age 67 would earn her PhD at the Sorbonne in 1925 (a true testament of reaching the highest of goals can be attained at any time in life!)
-As we know, Paris was the center of the art universe at the turn of the 20th century. Students of all nationalities flocked to the new art schools that took the overflow from the University of Paris' Faculty of Fine Arts in St. Germain-des-Pres behind the Louvre. Philadelphian African American artist Henry Ossawa Turner (who would be kicked out of a US art school because of his race) would create prize-winning paintings, like 'The Rising of Lazarus' and became a beacon of exceptional talent as his work adorned the hallowed walls of the Louvre in Paris during the early 1900s.

And finally let me just say it was truly a pleasure and honor to take part in the wedded bliss of Quan and Will!! This was a ceremony that brought me to tears, made me laugh, and even get on the dance floor!! May there be a lifetime of happiness and joy for you both!!

Let's just say "Love was in the air!"

"Till next time...Stay tuned for the next adventure!!" ~Brooklyn Assata, WST