running in Paris

My second full day in Paris has begun and this morning I started it off with a run.  I live fairly close to the Gare de Montparnasse as well as the Tour de Montparnasse.  Centrally located and from there I can see the Eiffel Tower and I'm only minutes away from the Jardin du Luxembourg, my favorite public park in Paris (so far).  When I was in Paris in 2001 we used to walk around the Luxembourg Gardens and I remember complaining occasionally and generally being disinterested as I tended to have been at 11.  I did however, enjoy see the groups of people practicing tai-chi as we walked past.  While it was quite a long time ago, I don't remember appreciating the open public space the Luxembourg Gardens provides the people of Paris.  Running this morning I was a bit early, at 7:22am most of the gates were still closed (and the people that were running in the park already most of snuck in.  (Note to self: find out how to get in early).  As I ran around the perimeter I was ready to get into the park and run like all the other Parisians.  Not too long after a security guard opened the gate and in I went.  I ran alongside the wall that parallels the roads and with me were many other runners, all at different points in their morning jogs.  I felt right at home.  The Luxembourg Gardens happen to be especially beautiful at 7:30 in the morning because they are not yet filled with the chitter chatter of high school students eating lunch nor the little kids running and playing.  Peaceful, beautiful and calm with only the pitter patter sound of the runners that come up in front and behind.