Last night I came home from a trip to Paris and Strasbourg. We had been to a gathering at the European parliament in Strasbourg, with around 400-500 representatives from schools around Europe.
Among other things, there were 10 questions to be voted on and a time to question three high officials (names and ranks escapes me at this hour).
While the youths appeared a little split on some issues, from the officials it was clear and even an outspoken message that European and American values diverge.
(non-exact quote)
"The USA represents and condones actions/values/things that we in Europe don't. We want to encourage a different order, methods and values than the USA."
The fright of becoming a federal state and unwillingness to call the EU a federal union, in comparison with the USA, was among other things repeated too.
There you have it, from the other side of the fence.
I went and had a beer (legal age 18) and some pasta a la carbonara close to the Eiffel tower. Walking away from the tower with an overcast sky, I lent aid to a couple wanting a photograph of the river, with the sun beautifully breaking through in the distance on one side - glimmering in the water.
From there I, still on a solo recon, went up towards La Musée D'art Morderne, on the top of a hill with a view over the Eiffel tower and Foch's statue at the other side.
I noticed an exposition at the outside of the museum and first thought "Oh, cool". Then I was incredibly dismayed.
Posted on the windows of the two buildings were pictures in a very appalling composition. I took photos of it and left post-haste.
See the links below for high resolution versions.
1. Musée de L'Art Moderne
2. Corner of square
3. Up front of one wall
4. Up front of the other wall (opposite wall one)
5. Detail of Ground Zero picture
6. Muslim Women in Burkha above boots and rifles of US Soldiers
7. US Army Soldiers Crying
8. Four by four pictures
Attachments:
The two walls and their excellent position in the capital of France, Paris.