Sunday: On our first afternoon we took a walk in the Parc Monceau neighborhood, and Grace had her first Metro ride.
Paris, Ah Paris
Part 9 of Sydney to Seattle,
the long way. Previous, Next
We spent five days in the city of lights.
Sunday: On our first afternoon we took a walk in the Parc Monceau
neighborhood, and Grace had her first Metro ride.
Monday morning, the Open Top bus tour, and all eyes were on the Eiffel tower
peaking out above the foliage. Is there a more beautiful structure in the
world? I don't think so. Grace was determined to climb as far as possible on
foot, and she did! You can't go to the top by foot, but we got to the second
level where the final two photos above were taken.
E.T. and Les Invalides from the bus. The weather was intermittently showery
and sunny. Reminded us of Seattle!
Chris made several pilgrimages to Sennelier, the most famous art supply shop
in Paris, just across the Seine from the Louvre. Grace waited patiently
while Chris choose a dozen very good colored pencils.
Waiting for dinner that night, the pencils got their first test. Later I
took a walk down to the river and photographed the old barge rings.
Tuesday: Musee D'Orsay all day for Chris, but Grace and I only stayed for
the morning.
In the afternoon Grace and I met Mark, Naomi and Paul for some boating in
the Bois de Bologne. Mark displays impressive/erratic rowing form.
Grace went back to Dampierre with Mark. I visited the Arc de Triomph,
climbed its circular stairs, and took in the views.
Wednesday: The Louvre for Chris and I. The Cafe Marly, Code of Hamurabi,
public stairs, servants stairs in the Napoleonic apartments, Easter Island
head
More Louvre: Winged lion of Saragon; the dining room in the Napoleonic
apartments was used by the French government as recently as the 1980s; two
views from inside the glass pyramid; looking towards the Obelisk in the
Place de la Concorde, and on to the Arc de Triumph. Chris spent her day
gazing at Vermeers, Chardins, and Corots.
That afternoon, we met Grace and the Shands at the children's playground in
the Luxemborg Gardens. Strange gravity in that place, as the last photo
illustrates.
Thursday: She didn't want to go, but cruel parents forced Grace to spend an
hour in the Louvre
Seeing the Mona Lisa is more a sociological experience than an art viewing.
The bribe for the Louvre was a visit to Angelina's for their legendary hot
chocolate. It is more a thin pudding than a beverage.
Walking past Notre Dame later that afternoon.
We spent our last night in Paris back at the sublime Eiffel Tour. We went to
the top (by elevator!), then came down in time to catch the 11:00pm light
show.
Chris spent 30 minutes sketching this scene...
...and I got a little creative myself.
Friday: Goodbye Paris! We flew over Icelandic glaciers on route to
Los Angeles, where our journey continues...