Forbidden Fruit

Paris' Hôtel de Ville (no, it's not a place where tourists rent rooms, it's French for "city hall") is a pretty happening place to be. It seems that every time I walk past it there is a new event taking place. I've seen a Red Cross blood drive, big screen TVs broadcasting the French Open, a count-up of Ingrid Betancourt's days in captivity, and a carousel offering rides to children. And that's just on the outside! The inside boasts an ever-changing schedule of art displays and photography exhibitions. Nothing ever stays around for too long, as I discovered once again last weekend. To my great surprise and delight, the building's large square had been transformed into a luscious green space complete with fish pond, flowering plants and grass. It's Paris' latest, and my personal favorite, public outreach project. But, if they're going to forbid lying in the grass, could they at least have had the little guy doing the dastardly deed not look so blissfully comfortable? He's making me jealous.