Étoile or the Moon?

It turns out that I am in Paris often in the magical month of December (or do I plan it that way?). Paris is a rich environment and my list of favorite places to visit at night in Paris in December is quite long. Most years I don't have time to visit them all. I have worn deep channels leading to those favorite places. So deep that they are no longer possible to see out of without standing tip toe. Paris, like a good friend, is always teaching me lessons about life. “Look my friend” she says to me “I am more than these places you keep going back to. I have so much more to show you if you will only take the time.” I guess she ran out of patience with me on this night and like a good lover just took charge of the situation. I was on my way home from a meeting at La Défense when the bus driven stopped at Porte Maillot announcing service écorté (abbreviated route) fin de ligne (end of line) leaving me in an area of Paris I do not know very well. One of the wonders of Paris is her abundance of cafés. I sat down in one on Avenue de la Grande Armée and had a beer while I watched the traffic not moving. I began to feel lucky having been kicked off the bus. On a slow stroll along this Grande Avenue I added to my familiarity with Paris. Here is where you come to buy a new car, a motorcycle, a scooter, or mountain climbing gear on your way to Champs Elysées. Here is the back side of the Arc de Triomphe, up until tonight it was the back side of the moon to me.