Magnificent - the 2010 Paris version :)

18,19 Septemer 2010 - Paris

It's not just 'Jos and Frederique going to a concert' anymore... It's now 'Jos and Frederique leaving little daughter Sophia with her grandparents and then going to a concert'. May not seem very different, but it is; something we noticed especially when we returned the day after the concert.. a little girl with rosy cheeks - tired - waiting on granny's arm to see us arriving - the smiles were amazing! Recognition of mummy and daddy I suppose - then you really feel the love!

We went off to Paris on the Thalys early Saturday morning. After a nice cup of coffee in the company of a few very good friends - also U2 friends - we boarded and the Thalys took us in no time to Gare du Nord. Fantastic means of transport, I cannot get over the speed and comfort at the same time - even better than flying, really! And before you realise you're walking the streets of Paris. We stayed in Montmartre and walked around the gorgeous streets behind the Sacre Coeur, enjoying a bit of lunch, some wine and colourful people.It's not fair, Jos hiding the bags under his eyes behind his sun glasses... mine are clearly visible. Well, let's just say: the day started at 6 am!

The streets certainly have a name in Paris...

.. and some people obviously want to make sure their names are not just on the cover of albums! Well-spotted by Mr Van der Linden!



Another U2 concert, but definitely not just some concert.


The same claw but from up close the wear-and-tear are now visible - in daylight.. the light show at night time again showed the real qualities of the thing.
After a pretty good performance by Interpol - a band I had never heard of before - we had to wait for another hour before the Stingray guitar returned and Mr Hewson proved that the back surgery he underwent was successful.
Another time... another space... again a rock solid performance! Maybe not the spontaneity the 4 men showed in Croke Park; but definitely sparking off an enthusiastic French response.



Another thing that has changed for me - I still hope that's a temporary situation; don't call me naive - I was dead tired after the concert; a few beers and the shorter nights of the last 4 months paid off... I could've slept beautifully on any bench, under any bridge... but thanks to my dear I safely got to the hotel and fell asleep just like my own little baby.

Thanks to good strong French coffee the next day started beautifully. After a nice walk through the city of love under a clear blue sky... we returned to Gare du Nord where we returned on the train - sun kissed and rosy.



Now I have seen them again... the beautiful almond macarons - I really wish I could make them like this:


Where will we see the boys again?