MARAIS DIST, PARIS Day 7, Friday, June 10

 
We did a lot of walking today through the Marais district- stopping at the home of Victor Hugo in one of the mansions at the Place des Vosges (where we met Gustavo from Brazil who wanted to practice his English in order to go to NYC to dance!), then at a delicious Kosher boulangerie in the Jewish qtr, and on to view modern art in the very modern Centre Pompidou. The highlight was seeing an original by Salvadore Dali.

John's Poem:
When eating a croissant, I must be all thumbs,
Because when I'm finished, I've left a mountain of crumbs.

After a nap, we walked to the Louvre. That's a place that requires multiple visits! This time we found David's "Coronation of Napolean." Carolyn saw Renoir's painting of the girls at the piano which reminded her of a print over her the mantel in her childhood home.  We also took in some great videos on art in the collection.

Two more days in Paris!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:V. Hugo's house, Marais District, Pompidou & Louvre again

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

THE LOUVRE and MOULIN ROUGE, Day 5, Wednesday, June 8

The highlight of today's visit to the Louvre was seeing the Code of Hammurabi from 1700 b.c. Babylonia, after which the Israelites' Ten Commandments were fashioned. It sounded so familiar! Of course we saw Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, Mona Lisa, et al.

John's Poem:
I was moved and behooved at the Louvre as I grooved over the artist's delight and plight.

Hot chocolate d'Africain is the signature drink at Angelina"s; we had to check it out before meeting John's daughter there on Saturday!

We walked through the Hotel Ritz in memory of tea there with Pat and Mother in 1982.

Then on to Pigalle, a ride on the finicular up to Sacre Cour. Last time I saw it was when Madelaine and Francois drove us up the hill in 1982. it was at night and I remembered the wonderful view. This time it was in the daylite. In addition to the viewing the beautiful 125 yr old basilica and the vire of all of Paris, we enjoyed the musicians and street entertainers.

The finale of the evening was the performance at the Moulin Rouge. Oh lala! The talent was exceptional - dancing, singing, side shows -And the costumes (and lack thereof) were spectacular- adorning gorgeous bodies! It was all that we expected it to be! Sorry, no photos allowed!

John's Poems:
I felt no distress in the city of Paris,
Til my duresse came from the cancan's state of undress!
****
Keep your shirt on at the Moulin Rouge.
Looks like their's is off!
And what beautiful boobs;
Those babes have bare-breasted boobs!

- Posted using BlogPress from my i

Location:Louvre, Angelina's, and Montmartre

LOIRE VALLEY Day 4, Tues.,June 7, 2011

What a day. We began at 6 am with a train to Versailles where we met my penpal from 55 years ago, Madelaine, and her husband, Francois, who drove us to the Loire Valley.
We passed a vast new windfarm.
 It poured and we got soaked but had a wonderful day exploring Chambord Chateau, stopping for a French gourmet 5-course lunch, and then exploring Blois Chateau.

Both chateaux are different but equally beautiful and fascinating, steeped in history, art and architecture.

We capped off the day with a visit in Madelaine's apt. in Versailles - just a block from the Palace of Versailles! We enjoyed photos recalling my first visit with Madelaine in 1961, a second visit Madelaine and Francois with sister Pat and mother in Paris in 1982, and a visit with Susan during her trip there in 1986. Madelaine and Francois were wonderful hosts showing us so much and helping us navigate! We thoroughly enjoyed our day with them!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad,

Location:Loire Valley

PARIS-EIFFEL TOWER, ST.CHAPPELLE: Day 3, June 6, 2011

Donning ponchos and umbrella we trekked off to the Eiffle Tower in the pouring rain. By 10:00 the showers lifted and we enjoyed this marvel of architecture and engineering as well as beautiful views of the city.

John's Poem for the Day:
If Eiffel fell from his tower,
On his grave we'd place a flower.

After "linner" on the Ile Saint Louise, we meandered through the unique Ile shops and ended at St. Chappell for a concert of Pachebel's Canon and Vivaldi's Four Seasons. A double string quartet sounded marvelous in this high and narrow masterpiece of French gothic architecture constructed under Louis IX. As Lyle told us, it's like sitting inside a music box surrounded as we were by fifteen 13th century stained glass windows formed of 1113 illustrated panels. What a place for a concert!

Another poem from John:
In the Saint Chapelle's grandeur, for many reasons
We heard the beauty of Vivaldi's Four Seasons,
Not to mention Pacabel's serenity,
For which we have greater solemnity.

Location:Paris

NOTRE DAME, BATEAU MOUCHE, Paris, Day two, June 5

Nous avon fait un bon voyage.
The forecasts all called for rain , so we were ready for a scene like the opening scene in Woody Allen's new movie "Midnight in Paris" - walking in the rain.

JOHN'S POEM:
Never say damn when visiting Notre Dame, unless it becomes obsessional
Very near the priestly confessional.

In fact, it was a beautiful day. We strolled over to Notre Dame, amid Sunday services, and after "linner" in a sidewalk cafe, we enjoyed the bateau mouche ride along the Seine. We're crashing early!

JOHN'S POEM FOR THE DAY:
Would you have to be insane
To swim int he Seine?
That's what I saw a couple do -
Man and wife - swimming for their life -
Oh, you could, too, if you had to.

a demain

Carolyn and John

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Paris

Getting ready for trip

Watch for postings next week.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:La Jolla