OK, now this is an amusing story...
On Monday, while waiting in line for the Tour of the towers at Notre Dame, it began to rain a little. Nothing torrential, but rain nonetheless. We were not properly prepared for the weather but a nice young man, of indiscernible origins was prepared and held his umbrella out over himself and us. We thanked him and shared a few passing comments.
The next day, while waiting in line at Versailles to purchase entry tickets, after turning the first bend, we looked over our shoulders and whom should we see? By Mr. Umbrella. It being a wonderfully sunny and warm day Didier jokingly commented that he probably would not need his umbrella today. He smiled. A few minutes later, after the amusement of seeing our new 'friend' again, Didier then asked "Are you going to the Louvre tomorrow?" It seemed that our friend did not understand, but when Didier said "Le Louvre; Tomorrow. Demain." He nodded in return and said "Yes, I go to the Louvre tomorrow." we laughed and said that we would see him there, as we were scheduled to go to the Musée on Wednesday ourselves.
Now let me just say this... In the Louvre there are 3 distinct wings: Richelieu: Denon and Sully. Each have four floors, and there are well over 350 individual galleries and rooms to visit. Countless thousands of people pass through the doors of the Museum each and every day. The chances of finding the same 'stranger' for the third time in as many days, with such odds seems a new improbability.
After about an 2 hours as we walked the grand gallery of Large Format French paintings in the Denon wing, look who we saw...
On Monday, while waiting in line for the Tour of the towers at Notre Dame, it began to rain a little. Nothing torrential, but rain nonetheless. We were not properly prepared for the weather but a nice young man, of indiscernible origins was prepared and held his umbrella out over himself and us. We thanked him and shared a few passing comments.
The next day, while waiting in line at Versailles to purchase entry tickets, after turning the first bend, we looked over our shoulders and whom should we see? By Mr. Umbrella. It being a wonderfully sunny and warm day Didier jokingly commented that he probably would not need his umbrella today. He smiled. A few minutes later, after the amusement of seeing our new 'friend' again, Didier then asked "Are you going to the Louvre tomorrow?" It seemed that our friend did not understand, but when Didier said "Le Louvre; Tomorrow. Demain." He nodded in return and said "Yes, I go to the Louvre tomorrow." we laughed and said that we would see him there, as we were scheduled to go to the Musée on Wednesday ourselves.
Now let me just say this... In the Louvre there are 3 distinct wings: Richelieu: Denon and Sully. Each have four floors, and there are well over 350 individual galleries and rooms to visit. Countless thousands of people pass through the doors of the Museum each and every day. The chances of finding the same 'stranger' for the third time in as many days, with such odds seems a new improbability.
After about an 2 hours as we walked the grand gallery of Large Format French paintings in the Denon wing, look who we saw...
We all had to laugh. After trying to communicate poorly, but so very well intentioned, in English, we asked where he was from. He replies Spain, Asturias to be exact. Fortunately Didier speaks Spanish rather well and so the communication barrier was breached. We chatted for a few minutes and then we all went on our way.
We passed him a few more times throughout the day, always saying hello, or smiling.
I only wish we had asked his name... alas all we have is this one pic and a great story of our amigo de Asturias.
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