[From Paris to Rome: Chapter Fourteen, Place Charles de Gaulle]
Ye Ye, Du Miao Miao, and Qiu Yu took a taxi to the luxurious “Rose International Hotel” near Place Charles de Gaulle. After dropping off their luggage, they decided to explore and enjoy themselves. They each changed into comfortable clothes, rested briefly, then set off with their DV cameras. Ye Ye wore deep blue jeans paired with a Bohemian-style dark floral long-sleeve shirt, made of thin material with a ruffled hem that cascaded down to mid-thigh, a beautiful square neckline adorned with delicate crystal beads. She collected her thoughts, telling herself — Ye Ye, you are destined to be the big sister of the underworld, so don’t lose your mind over a strange man. Since you’ve decided to retreat, don’t think about it anymore! Thus, Ye Ye deeply buried her restlessness and confusion. With a carefree demeanor, she slung her small purse over her shoulder and headed towards her two waiting friends.
Place Charles de Gaulle, located north of the Seine River, is the site of the Arc de Triomphe and the junction of twelve major roads in Paris, the most famous of which is the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, extending southeast. The square was first constructed in 1892 and completed in 1899. Originally named Star Square (Place de l’Étoile), it was renamed Victory Square in 1918 to commemorate the victory in World War I, then changed to Pétain Square under German rule in 1941, and finally renamed in honor of Charles de Gaulle on September 1, 1944, after the liberation of Paris.
