After picking up sandwiches at the neighborhood Paul's, we took the metro, exiting at the Bastille stop. After admiring the Colonne de Juillet, we walked up rue St Antoine to rue de Birague and ate our lunch in Place des Voges. We took pictures and let Sydney run around a bit to burn off some energy.
Bertha and I were chatting on one of the benches when a very strange man appeared about 20 feet from us, stood there staring. When we looked up, he said "What do you want?" in a very heavy french accent. We looked at each other and said nothing. Again he asked "What do you want?" We just looked at him, trying to figure out what he was talking about as we did not even see him walk up. The thought was that my camera (on the tripod) was pointed in his direction and maybe he thought we were filming him. (Kinda hard with the lense cap on!) I rotated the camera so it was pointing in another direction and he huffed loudly and stormed away. We decided he was an ecentric and let it go.
Walking the arcade around the park, we window shopped the various stores and galleries, and admired the knockers on doors 4 and 17 (as noted in one of the many books). We located the entrance to Victor Hugo's residence in one corner. The opposite corner is where Cardinal Reichleau lived.
As we passed the perfume shop, a police car with lights flashing pulled up and three gendarmes jumped out. A couple of shop owners rushed out and pointed them into the park. They ran to the far side and began frisking someone. I guess they decided to arrest the person as they lead him back to the car. Lo and behold, it was the "ecentric"!! From the little we saw of the discussion, it appears that he may have stolen something from the perfume shop. French justice in action!
Leaving the Place du Voge, we strolled the rue des Francs Bourgeois passing the Musee Carnavalet and National Archive to our destination, the Centre Georges Pompidou. The building itself is an attraction as all the mechanics are on the outside. The escalators were fun as they are in clear tubes which provided a great view of all of Paris. When you first walk in, there is an exhibit with pulleys and large "body parts" in netting. Periodically they suddenly drop, much to Syd's quel surprise (her favorite was the three "boobies"). What an interesting mix of modern art. New included indian metal plates, plastic inflatable chairs; old had Salvador Dali, Henri Matisee, Picasso, and Man Ray.
Around 7PM, Dad, Bertha, Syd and I jumped on the metro and headed back to the apartment. Tom and Kim walked back, stopping at a grocery store for some supplies. They arrived about 10 minutes after we did. Things are a lot closer together than they seem!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The knockers were disappointing; they were only about an A-cup." (Tom De Lora at Place du Voges)
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Easy Sunday
Today being Sunday, Dad and Bertha headed to mass at Notre Dame. They thoroughly enjoyed the mass which was presented in several languages.
Tom, Kim, Syd and I headed to a Farmer's Market on Blvd Raispel. Very much like the farmers markets back home. In addition to fruits and vegetables, we picked up baguettes and cheeses and munched on crepes.
By the time we returned, Dad and Bertha were back from mass. After a brief rest, Dad, Tom, Kim and I headed to the Palais du Luxemborg. I was there yesterday with Bertha but the camera chip malfunctioned when trying to download the shots, so I was very eager to go back. Since the building is only open to the public once a year, Tom, Dad, and Kim decided to tour as well. The crowd was much heavier today than yesterday, but there were no hassles which I found unusual in such a large gathering.
We cleared security and strolled across the Cour d'Honneur. Once inside we went up the Escalier d'Honneur, passed the Chambre de la Reine, Salon des Messagers e'Etat and into the Bibliotheque (which has a great view of the the Jardin du Luxemborg). The tour continued through the Salle des Seances and the Salle des Conferences into the Salon Victor Hugo (which was recently restored). This lead us into Annexe de la Bibliotheque where the photo on the right (Dad, Tom, and Kim resting) was taken. The tour contined through quite a few more rooms, including Salle du Livre d'Or. One day I will complete the translation of the flyer to truly understand what we saw! The inside of the Palais was stunning with all the gold and marble. A true monument to French granduer, and it wasn't a movie set!
After a second rest at the apartment, Tom took Kim and Syd to dinner. Dad, Bertha and I had supper in then headed out for a late night stroll. We headed down Blvd St Germain, cut through an alley that deposited us near Rue Seine. After walking a short distance, we cut through an archway which placed us directly in front of Institue de France. We crossed the Pont de Artes and strolled a bit admiring a building, wondering what the magnificent structure was. Turned out to be the Louvre! I can't wait to go!
Tom, Kim, Syd and I headed to a Farmer's Market on Blvd Raispel. Very much like the farmers markets back home. In addition to fruits and vegetables, we picked up baguettes and cheeses and munched on crepes.
By the time we returned, Dad and Bertha were back from mass. After a brief rest, Dad, Tom, Kim and I headed to the Palais du Luxemborg. I was there yesterday with Bertha but the camera chip malfunctioned when trying to download the shots, so I was very eager to go back. Since the building is only open to the public once a year, Tom, Dad, and Kim decided to tour as well. The crowd was much heavier today than yesterday, but there were no hassles which I found unusual in such a large gathering.
We cleared security and strolled across the Cour d'Honneur. Once inside we went up the Escalier d'Honneur, passed the Chambre de la Reine, Salon des Messagers e'Etat and into the Bibliotheque (which has a great view of the the Jardin du Luxemborg). The tour continued through the Salle des Seances and the Salle des Conferences into the Salon Victor Hugo (which was recently restored). This lead us into Annexe de la Bibliotheque where the photo on the right (Dad, Tom, and Kim resting) was taken. The tour contined through quite a few more rooms, including Salle du Livre d'Or. One day I will complete the translation of the flyer to truly understand what we saw! The inside of the Palais was stunning with all the gold and marble. A true monument to French granduer, and it wasn't a movie set!
After a second rest at the apartment, Tom took Kim and Syd to dinner. Dad, Bertha and I had supper in then headed out for a late night stroll. We headed down Blvd St Germain, cut through an alley that deposited us near Rue Seine. After walking a short distance, we cut through an archway which placed us directly in front of Institue de France. We crossed the Pont de Artes and strolled a bit admiring a building, wondering what the magnificent structure was. Turned out to be the Louvre! I can't wait to go!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Sightseeing begins....
Friday, September 14 was our first day to sightsee. Under Tom's expert guidance, we jumped on the metro at Odeon Station and changed trains at La Motte Picquet Grenelle, exiting at Bir-Hakeim. A short walk later and we were at Champ de Mars and la Tour Eiffel!
After a few minutes of marvelling at the sight, we were in line for about 40 minutes for the elevator. We opted for levels 2 and 3 and were not disappointed. It was a clear sky and the view was incroyable.
We sat at the foot of the tower for a short while and people watched. Then we headed up the hill to Trocadero to take additional pictures. Syd and Tom rode a small carousel located at the foot of the hill to Trocadero. She picked a plane and Tom rode a horse in front of her. The entire ride she was "chasing" Tom saying "I'm gonna get you, you meaner!"
Seeing lots of people in funny costumes doing a lot of drinking, we thought there must have been a rugby tournament; there was quite a party going on at Trocadero. Lots of cheering, flag waving, and drinking! Turns out it was the Rugby World Cup!
A group of breakdancers were attempting to entertain the crowd with their gyrations, spins and wild arm movements. Sydney made friends with another little girl and much to everyone's delight they tried to imitate the dancers moves! The two girls tried spins on their own and of course were unsuccessful. Syd told the other girl to stay down and she "spun" her by grabbing her foot and walking in a circle to imitate the spin. It was so cute!
Saturday, September 15 started off slow as we were pretty tired, still adjusting to the time change. We left the apartment around mid-day, picked up sandwiches, and headed to Jardin du Luxembourg. What a stunning place!
Turns out we are here over a great weekend. Sept 15 and 16 is the celebration of French heritage. Lots of places that are not usually open to the public are allowing visitors. We toured the Orchid Greenhouse and later Bertha and I toured Palais du Luxembourg. Dad and I picked up several gardening ideas in the Orchid Greenhouse and will see if we can implement in the backyard.
QUOTE OF THE DAY (Saturday): Tom, not as far today.... (Bertha, Ron, and Karen)
After a few minutes of marvelling at the sight, we were in line for about 40 minutes for the elevator. We opted for levels 2 and 3 and were not disappointed. It was a clear sky and the view was incroyable.
We sat at the foot of the tower for a short while and people watched. Then we headed up the hill to Trocadero to take additional pictures. Syd and Tom rode a small carousel located at the foot of the hill to Trocadero. She picked a plane and Tom rode a horse in front of her. The entire ride she was "chasing" Tom saying "I'm gonna get you, you meaner!"
Seeing lots of people in funny costumes doing a lot of drinking, we thought there must have been a rugby tournament; there was quite a party going on at Trocadero. Lots of cheering, flag waving, and drinking! Turns out it was the Rugby World Cup!
A group of breakdancers were attempting to entertain the crowd with their gyrations, spins and wild arm movements. Sydney made friends with another little girl and much to everyone's delight they tried to imitate the dancers moves! The two girls tried spins on their own and of course were unsuccessful. Syd told the other girl to stay down and she "spun" her by grabbing her foot and walking in a circle to imitate the spin. It was so cute!
Saturday, September 15 started off slow as we were pretty tired, still adjusting to the time change. We left the apartment around mid-day, picked up sandwiches, and headed to Jardin du Luxembourg. What a stunning place!
Turns out we are here over a great weekend. Sept 15 and 16 is the celebration of French heritage. Lots of places that are not usually open to the public are allowing visitors. We toured the Orchid Greenhouse and later Bertha and I toured Palais du Luxembourg. Dad and I picked up several gardening ideas in the Orchid Greenhouse and will see if we can implement in the backyard.
QUOTE OF THE DAY (Saturday): Tom, not as far today.... (Bertha, Ron, and Karen)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Nous sommes arrivés à Paris !
Look out Paris! We are here!
The flight was long and pretty uneventful, although NOT restful! Alot of people do not sleep! Plane landed on time, we breezed through customs, had to wait a bit for our luggage (everything made it!) and the car was ready and waiting.
After winding our way through the busy streets, we arrived at the apartment building and were pretty well settled in by 2PM. Our first foray was to the grocery store to pick up necessities and breakfast items.
Sydney is having a blast exploring everything. She thought she had her own personal-sized sink, and was happily washing her hands as asked. Much to her parents dismay, she was actually using the bidet!!
We had dinner at the Cafe Latin, and walked around the area a bit. We went by the Fontaine de St. Michel, crossed over Napolean's Bridge, and ended up at Notre Dame. After spending some time admiring the architecture, we wandering back into the Latin Quarter past all the Greek restaurants (lots of broken porcelain in the doorways), had a bit of gelato, and came home.
Tom's favorite part so far is that we are here and things are going so smoothly (KNOCK ON WOOD!).
Kim loved our response to seeing the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame at night. Also loves being back in the neighborhood and just walking around seeing all the sites again.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "This doesn't suck!" (Kim De Lora)
The flight was long and pretty uneventful, although NOT restful! Alot of people do not sleep! Plane landed on time, we breezed through customs, had to wait a bit for our luggage (everything made it!) and the car was ready and waiting.
After winding our way through the busy streets, we arrived at the apartment building and were pretty well settled in by 2PM. Our first foray was to the grocery store to pick up necessities and breakfast items.
Sydney is having a blast exploring everything. She thought she had her own personal-sized sink, and was happily washing her hands as asked. Much to her parents dismay, she was actually using the bidet!!
We had dinner at the Cafe Latin, and walked around the area a bit. We went by the Fontaine de St. Michel, crossed over Napolean's Bridge, and ended up at Notre Dame. After spending some time admiring the architecture, we wandering back into the Latin Quarter past all the Greek restaurants (lots of broken porcelain in the doorways), had a bit of gelato, and came home.
Tom's favorite part so far is that we are here and things are going so smoothly (KNOCK ON WOOD!).
Kim loved our response to seeing the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame at night. Also loves being back in the neighborhood and just walking around seeing all the sites again.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "This doesn't suck!" (Kim De Lora)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Departure is imminent!
This is it! The trip we have been planning since Thanksgiving! I hope I get some sleep tonight! Our itinerary is viewable at http://www.kimskitchen.com/refrigerator/paris2007.html (log on with username: guest and password: oui).
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