Tuesday, October 27th, Paris

Greetings!

We saw the Carnavalet Museum (last three kings and the Revolution) this morning, and then we came back to the hotel to have a salad we had leftover from a great pizza takeout last night. Pat slept and tried to fight her cold, while I went back out and took some photos of people in Bastille Plaza. Tonight, we're going back to Cafe Janou, our favorite of all we've sampled. Tomorrow, our flight leaves at 10:50am, and we should be in Santa Rosa about 12 hours later.

Gregory


To see the photos we took today, click on:
Tuesday, Oct 27th

Monday, October 26th, Paris

Greetings!

We're on a train to Chartres, an hour away from Paris. Next time, I'm going to include at least one ride on the Bullet train. We saw it while driving, and it moved quickly across the farmlands. This train feels like a plane. The seats are comfy, and the ride is quiet. They could equip it with wifi, though.

Chartres was great. Every bit the showcase of stained glass antiquity and beauty. The town was also enjoyable, and we had a perfect lunch in a small bistro on the square. Pat's French onion soup was just what her throat cough needed.

We can't complain at all about the public transit system here in Paris. Trains, busses, subway, public bicycles -it all works so well.

Tomorrow is our last day. A bit sad to see it end, but I know a hot tub and bed that will be very appreciated.

Gregory




























To see the photos we took today, click on:
Monday, Oct 26th

Sunday, October 25th, Paris

Greetings!

Pat asked at dinner last night what our conclusions seem to be on the French people we've seen. In no particular order or importance, here goes.

They care very much for their history, and a huge part of their current life revolves around it. Many make their living preserving, displaying, and promoting the reminents of the past. A large part of the rest support those who do. They all seem proud of it.

They care for children. While there are childcare centers, children are (more than I have usually seen) in the arms and hands of their parents. Unaccompanied children are seldom seen.

They are very courteous. I've looked for those French whose reputation as snobs and rude characters has been portrayed so well in the media. While a few drivers could be said to be agressive, I can't say I blame them for trying to survive on such narrow streets.

They seem very well-dressed. I am an inveterate people-watcher, and France is full of people who spend quite a bit of attention on their appearance. Epecially shoes and scarves. They carry themselves with a kind of sartorial confidence.

Today, we took the Metro and the train to Versailles. Contrary to Rick Steeves' comments, I was dissappointed in it. How much vanity can you stand? If I saw one more portrait or sculpture of King Louis. No wonder the French had a revolution. I was looking for a bit more historical content, but I guess it's too much to expect from the times of Louis XIV. We bailed on the garden. A little too boring, even from the windows. Especially if you have to pay extra.

Tonight, we're headed out to the Jewish quarter for dinner (Sunday). We may take the Metro to Trocadero to watch the night light show at the Eiffel Tower (thanks, Anne).

Gregory














To see the photos we took today, click on:
Sunday, Oct 25th

Saturday, October 24th, Paris

Greetings!

It’s Saturday afternoon at 5:30, and we’re back in the hotel room. We did the Rick Steeves’ Montmarte Walk (it’s the only one with a hill), and then finished up the remaining wings of the Louvre today. It's a Scavenger hunt for history. Pat’s getting a nap in before we go out for dinner, and I’d be doing the same if I wasn’t doing this. Today seemed harder, for some reason. It was raining, and was our first three-Metro line day. We’ve also got our sinous colds back, and are competing for most sneezes each day. This bed could be a bit softer too. While we’re getting enough sleep, I know it’s taking it’s toll on both of our backs.

The only things left are Versailles, Chartres, and the stuff that was closed (Carnavalet, Deportation Memorial). We’ll probably run out by Tuesday morning, and spend the day reading at a café. We’ve become the French.

Gregory


To see the photos we took today, click on:
Saturday, Oct 24th

Friday, Oct 23rd, Paris

Greetings!

The western side of the City of Lights lit up for us today. Taking a couple of subways to the Arc de Triompe (that huge arch at the end of the Champs Elysees that France uses for it's "Mission Accomplished" military photo shots), we found our way through various underground tunnels to the base. Deciding to put our energy into walking instead of climbing stairs (same strategy at the Eiffel), we walked down the Champs Elysees to the Tulleries Garden, Petite Palace, and the Orsay Museum.

The weather cooperated, and we got to see even more of the beauty that here in Paris. Tonight, another attempt at finding the best place to eat within the Marchais neighborhood.

Gregory



































To see the photos we took today, click on:
Friday, Oct 23rd

Thursday, Oct 22nd, Paris

Greetings!

I'll bet you didn't know that the Eiffel Tower was originally proposed to be built in Barcelona, Spain four years before it went up in Paris. City fathers thought it an economic disaster - and rejected it. Paris city fathers thought it a disaster too, but they let Gustave build it - if he took on all the financial responsibility for twenty years. And then he had to agree to take it down at his own expense. It's a good thing there are visionaries willing to take risks. After twenty years, the City decided it was a safe bet, and bought it from him.

We went to two other museums today: the Musee du Quai Branly (great masks, ethnic clothing, and southern hemisphere culture collections); and the Rodin Museum. The lighting in the first was bad (why does everyone think good treasures look better in the dark?), but I stood my stillest to get the long exposure shots. Sorry for it still being blurry.

Gregory




























To see the photos we took today, click on:
Thursday, Oct 22nd

Wednesday, October, Paris

Greetings!

Today, it rained slightly most of the day. So we went to the Louvre. I know that I had heard that the Louvre was overwhelming, but we hurried through the rooms on just one of the four floors which contained part of their collection of materials from Mesopotamia from 5,300 BC to about 730 BC. It took us almost five hours. This place is Antiquities Central. Several collections from pioneer French archeologists in the early 1800's were sent here, and stored until 50 years ago. Since many of the sites are in areas where the fighting occured in the several wars fought by Iraq over the past thirty years, it may have been fortunate that the material was here. But I was disturbed watching an Iraqi father photograph his wife and son in front of a statue taken from a now-empty ancient palace near his home.

We'll be going back again soon. All of our looting would really be wasted if no one learned about those great civilizations and people.

By the way, kudos to the management staff of Villa Beaumarchais. They believe in wifi access, and have installed there own free system. It beats the usual top of the line service - providing you access to a subscription service (which they provide as a backup service). I will definitely recommend Villa Beaumarchais to my friends coming to Paris.

Gregory































To see the photos we took today, click on:
Wednesday, Oct 21st