My Favorite: The Eiffel Tower

Monday I had my second private tour with a French woman, Martine, who is kind enough to give me these tours for free. She really is a scholar, has a great sense of humor and is eager to share her knowledge. I only wished I had advantaged myself of her offer a month ago. She is so filled with details on all of Paris. Last Friday she took me and another lady from New Zealand(via Iran), Shahla, on a tour of the Marais. On Monday we all went to Montmarte (photo) and visited the oldest church in Paris: St. Pierre (dating before Notre Dame).

Along the way I started talking to this French lady (photo)and we found out she used to be a dancer in private salons. Her photo is precious. She has on netted stockings and ballet shoes (or something close to it!) and her attire was festive. Very, what I call "Character French". She says she dresses up to lift her mood (don't we all). We tried to envision her life a few decades ago: fascinating.

Later that night I met my new friend, Shahla, the lady who took the tours with me, and we meet at the Eiffel Tower and walked over to Trocadero for a drink. She and I are supposed to go back to a night club in Montmartre Friday evening. It should be a lot of fun.

The Louvre At Last...Again

It was hot in many parts of the Louvre today, butthere were many places that one could find find a cool, air conditioned room to enjoy the art even more. I can't imagine what air conditioning costs for the Louvre. Of course, I have been there many times. Each time I try to find something new.

In addition to the Louvre Historie exhibit, as you will see from the photos, today I went to the African exhibit. Small but very interesting since I am so appreciative of Africa Art and have some in my own home. Of course, I saw Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa, which I am sure I don't have to show you.

Instead, here are some artsy, if I do say so myself, angled shots of the Pyramid outside.

I was on my feet at the Louvre for six hours and then walked near the Seine for another two. Was I pooped when I return to my apartment.

Paris Riveria: Paris Plages

My sister, Mary Kay, needed not have worried that I would miss the annual Paris Plages (beaches). I looked forward to seeing this seasonal aspect of Paris for some time. There are three temporary "beaches" in Paris. They say they have loaded tons of sand but I didn't notice much other than some sand boxes for the children to play in.

Actually, these are ideal for family with loads of activities for the children. In my neighborhood (photo) at the canal they have kayaking, row boats, and big, inflatable cylinders that the children roll around in on the water. They put up rows of colorful, little beach town "houses", chairs, umbrellas etc. They sell drinks, ice cream, have music and dancing. The Plages on the Seine has an above ground swimming pool for the children (although there is no boating on the Seine). There also are trampolines, arts and crafts for the kiddies and lots of other stuff.

I went down today to take a look (at the one on the Seine)and miraculously found a big bean bag type of chair under a nice shade tree to relax in. A nearby French lady was happy to take a photo. And, of course, it abounds with Paris' beautiful children (photo). I am meeting friends there on Friday and we are spending the day (with lots of suntan lotion) at our plages (beach).

Weather and Mood Lifted!

Finally, it is beautiful in Paris! That improves my mood considerably. As a matter of fact if it stayed as beautiful as today I would have a hard time leaving.

It is my last week in Paris, I announce sadly. Time and euro is running out. I went at last to see the Yves St Laurent exhibition. He is still wowing them even in death with his vintage collection. I managed to sneak a few photos which I am sharing. When the museum lady figured out I was taking photos she nearly had a coronary. What does she think? This is not the Michangelo painting of the Sistine Chapel for pete's sake. My little digital couldn't harm anything. She actually wanted me to delete my photo! I remained firm, turned off the camera, told her to lower her voice and that I understood now the policy. Oh, I love holding my own with the French!

The exhibition was at the Petit Palais, one of my favorite museums. I decided to splurge and have lunch in their beautiful jardins (gardens) (photo). Then I went to a photography exhibit at the Hotel De Ville entitled "Paris In Love" (photo). It was a lovely day.

My schedule is packed with things to do and people to see before I leave. I will have lots of short blogs loaded with photos coming soon. Enjoy.

More Photos of Bruge!

They are not as perfect as in person; I thought I was quite clever in "learning" how to use my digital, but a lot of photos came out too light....but still they tell their story.

Brugge: More Than A Side Trip

Long ago I had my former minister and his wife, Jim and Ginger Hallerberg to my home and he told me of his trip to Brugge, Belgium. "Don't miss it!" he urged. I never forgot those words and finally, years later, I took a 'side trip' to Brugge this past few days. I have actually found several spellings of the word: Brugge, Brugges, Bruge, Bruges! Take your pick!

The entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. And I can see why. As I got off the bus that took me to the city's center from the train station I found a big ear-to-ear smile across my face. Brugge dates back to medieval time with streets and alleys and picturesque canals (photos) except Brugge is one of the cleanest small towns I have ever been in. Even with the endless horses that promenade around the town with tourists they manage to keep it in pristine condition. The Square is outlined with historic buildings, fascinating in themselves and then endless cafes where people can sit and enjoy the music and festivals in the centre of the square.

The museums, art galleries, endless shopping and chocolate shops (photos) make this a utopia for any woman. I was in heaven. Their shops abound with hand-made lace, tapestries, chocolatiers, and endless other souvenirs. By the time I was there for the third day I was quite ready to return to Paris sans euros in my pockets.

There is a difference between the people of Belgium (in Brugge, anyway) and of Paris. Except for a couple of surly waiters (who probably were imported from France), the people are easy-going, hospitable, more genteel. Even watching their fresh-faced young people was an interesting comparison: they were cleaner, better attired, and when they kissed each other they were short, sweet, innocent kisses. With all the photos I have taken in Paris of young lovers embracing I never was able to get even one Brugge couple doing the same. There are statues of the Blessed Mother above doors everywhere. Clearly, their history dictates reverence to "Ave Maria".

Both nights I was there the square was filled with people and celebrations with music. Some of the artists I recognized: Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, Elvis, Michael Jackson and some European singers that I didn't recognize. They drank, swayed back and forth and sang their hearts out. I stood in the centre with them and danced and sang and made new acquaintances. It was all very dear.

While the first day and half were very hot, the second night it rained just enough to clear the air and lower the temperature. The second day I rented a bicycle for twelve hours and took off (getting lost, of course) along canals outside of town in the country and getting a good amount of exercise. Felt great! Eight hours of biking and while my legs were tired at the end of the day, the muscles didn't hurt at all. I am creating thighs of steel!

I did take photos from the Belfry (photo, attended a showing of Salvador Dali and visited a church that proudly housed a Michangelo sculpture (photo), one of the few pieces out of Italy. The buildings were most interesting with their Burgundian influence, lovely parks (especially Minnewater) (photo) and a really tranquil sight of the inner courtyard of the Beguinage (rows of white houses where the nuns and residents live) and where sisters still care for the elderly and infirmed (photo). Late one evening I sauntered down an unknown street and stumbled unexpectedly on two fabulous places: one was the Castle renovated into a hotel: Kempinski Hotel Dukes' Palace (photo above in next photo blog) and the other a dear, sweet centuries-old (1507!) restaurant that looked like it came out of a fairy tale book (photo above in next photo blog). It stirred up my adrenaline!

There was a spirit here that transcends the people, the history, the buildings, the centuries. It is more peaceful, more tranquil and if you get out of the commercial areas, more meditative. I felt more spirituality here and stopped in more than one church for a little relaxation and prayer. Look at the above blog of the little Arian princess I found with her father in the square (photo). She is holding my camera case. Every time I tried to get down on her level to take a photo she came running to me like I was her grandmere. It was so sweet. Of course, I picked her up!

I ate enough chocolates to get sick on the way back to Paris. Yeah, I know; you can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. But, what do you expect? I am a self-described chocoholic and the whiffs coming from the shops were overpowering. There was one coffee mug filled with chocolates, of course, that I nearly bought. It had a woman and a saying: Lead Us Not Into Temptation; I Do That Very Well Already! Of course, the woman was eating chocolates. But right now, I still don't want to think of chocolate...

I have more than five photos so I will enter this blog with five and then above this blog enter some more.

Versailles Biking

Yesterday, with promises of cooler weather, I took off for Versailles once again. I have wanted to go biking on the Estate for a long time but horrible weather made a recluse out of me. But, I'm back! Two hours of cool wind in my face allowed me to peddle around the Grand Canal and the beautiful and endless back roads of the estate forest. There is a wonderful energy that is emitted from forest trees that had me relaxed and singing aloud...sort of like Julie Andrews in the sound of the music except I can't sing and I am no nun! :) Then, I went back to Marie Antoinette's Estate for a two hour stroll. Yep, I was tired at the end of all that but happy!

Big Guy Comes Through....!

Three hours before the scheduled fireworks on Bastille the rain came to an abrupt hault. The skies opened up and Robbin and I headed down to the fireworks scheduled for 11 PM near the Eiffel Tower. We found ourselves some good watching "space" and prepared for the rain (photo with my rain coat (a plastic bag)). But it stayed clear! If you recall in my last blog I mentioned I was praying to "The Big Guy Upstairs" for the weather relief. Guess He came through! :) Fifteen minutes after the fireworks finished it started to rain again. Here are a few of my favorite photos and one of the crowded metro afterwards.