I'm back to the online world after a week of scrambling for infrequent online access. And voila...here comes a new post! Today we visited the Musée (Museum) Carnavalet which houses the most comprehensive collection of Paris history around. The collection is housed in a 16th century mansion in the chic Marais quartier (neighborhood). The mansion was owned in the late 1600s by a Madame de Sévigné, who was so attached to her daughter that she lived with her daughter for many years in the daughter's mansion.
We saw lots of scale-models and paintings showing life in Paris basically from 1600 on, with particular emphasis on Louis XVI's reign. Pictures follow...
Thursday 21 July 2011
Tuesday 12 July 2011
Life on the Métro
I'm so glad to ride the Paris Métro every day - I am very tempted to ride bikes like my friend Jeremy does, but I would miss out on some things. Here's a sampling of the going's-on I've seen in subterranean Paris
- A man yesterday screaming at the top of his lungs "Jesus Christ is the Way" plus a whole lot of other teachings (for 20 minutes straight). This went on in a packed Metro car. Love the message, could probably be shared in a more soothing way?
- Various musicians will climb on board and play their instruments for the riders. My favorite is the accordionists. They play tunes that have that vibe that IS Paris. Others play the violin, flute contraptions, and everything else.
- Upon exiting the metro, you are often confronted by young women who shove a piece of paper under your face and indicate to sign your name to it. At the same time, they indicate with their motions that they can not hear or speak. They are trying to get you to think that you are signing a petition for the deaf and mute, but of course, if you sign, they demand money. And it turns out that they are not deaf or mute at all. They are very aggressive.
A demain et bonne soirée (See you tomorrow and good night!)
- A man yesterday screaming at the top of his lungs "Jesus Christ is the Way" plus a whole lot of other teachings (for 20 minutes straight). This went on in a packed Metro car. Love the message, could probably be shared in a more soothing way?
- Various musicians will climb on board and play their instruments for the riders. My favorite is the accordionists. They play tunes that have that vibe that IS Paris. Others play the violin, flute contraptions, and everything else.
- Upon exiting the metro, you are often confronted by young women who shove a piece of paper under your face and indicate to sign your name to it. At the same time, they indicate with their motions that they can not hear or speak. They are trying to get you to think that you are signing a petition for the deaf and mute, but of course, if you sign, they demand money. And it turns out that they are not deaf or mute at all. They are very aggressive.
A demain et bonne soirée (See you tomorrow and good night!)
 |
| Overlooking the Latin Quarter with the Pantheon and Eiffel Tower in view |
 |
| I downed this delicacy quickly - a framboise tartine |
 |
| Jeremy with an interesting hat at the Marché aux Puces (Flea Market) at St.-Ouen de Clignancourt |
 |
| Same flea market minus (bottom half style) |
 |
| My view going to school every morning (the Seine River, the lifeblood of Paris) |
Saturday 9 July 2011
Moving...
My life seems to always involve moving. Even on a TDY (work travel) I end up moving after 2 weeks. I moved today from the south side of Paris to the north side (in the 17th arrondisement [district]). As with every district I have seen, the 17th is very nice, with lots of cafés and restaurants. My new hostess is great and I am settling in well. I'm posting some recent pictures here. Bonne nuit! (Good night).
Wednesday 6 July 2011
Visit to The Louvre
Today we went to The Louvre (Le Louvre), in my opinion the greatest collection of art that exists. 30,000 pieces of art and statues in a gargantuan estate that lies in a slice of historic heaven. I had been to the Louvre before but it was a long time ago. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures of the current main attraction at the Louvre, Rembrandt's collections of paintings of Jesus Christ. Rembrandt was a Dutch artist who lived in the 1600s. What a fascinating collection this is. The art brings Christ and His life to life and you look at the work and just realize that these are timeless masterpieces. There are both oil color paintings and black and white sketches. My favorite painting was of Christ when he meets the woman taken in adultery. I felt the Spirit of the Lord when I saw this painting, telling me about the love and willingness to forgive that Jesus has for each one of us. Each person shown in that painting powerfully conveyed his/her feelings at that moment. Furthermore, the majesty and humbleness of the Savior of the world showed through in a powerful, touching way.
After visiting this collection, I quickly covered the halls containing works of Italian and other European artists, as well as Napoleon's apartments (I have been in some lavish places, and the room that you see in the picture here is at the top of the list). The following paintings are shown here: Mona Lisa, the Coronation of Napoleon (love this painting), and Madame Vigee and Julia. Statues galore rounded out the visit. What an amazing place - so glad I was able to go here today!
After visiting this collection, I quickly covered the halls containing works of Italian and other European artists, as well as Napoleon's apartments (I have been in some lavish places, and the room that you see in the picture here is at the top of the list). The following paintings are shown here: Mona Lisa, the Coronation of Napoleon (love this painting), and Madame Vigee and Julia. Statues galore rounded out the visit. What an amazing place - so glad I was able to go here today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)