Miles and I have settled into a routine. After a hard day's wandering about Paris trying to see how many different cafes we can visit, we come back to our apartment. Once there, with a glass of wine in hand, Miles downloads the day's pictures, and I write in my journal and/or post to this blog. As he has the photo angle covered, please visit http://picasaweb.google.com/clarkmm/Europe2009# to see the latest pictures of our Fabulous Parisian Adventure.
Today, we storm the Louvre!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday's adventure was Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle.
We started with the Tower tour of Notre Dame.
400 steps. No lift.
The view was worth it, though. Miles got some great photos of the chimera (what people think of as "gargoyles") We could see la Tour Eiffel, Montmartre, le Louvre. Kind of cool to walk about the parapets. It amazes me how the stones are worn from over 700 years of tourists....
Next we went in to church. Hordes of people, lots of kids on field trips, toddlers in strollers. It's quite an impressive sight. But I couldn't get a "sacred" feeling.
By the time walked down the stairs, then walked through the church, I had "gone Elvis". My legs were shaking pretty badly, so we stopped for lunch at a creperie. We refreshed ourselves with buckwheat crepes, then grabbed a coffee and headed towards Sainte Chapelle, making a stop at the Jardin du Luxembourg.
The wait to get thru security at Sainte Chapelle was at least a half an hour. The chapel is in the courtyard of the Palace of Justice, which houses the Supreme Court of France and other judicial bodies. After security, we walked right into the lower chapel (complete with gift shop!), then into the "Haute Chapelle". Interestingly, the ceiling of the lower chapel, where the commoners worshipped, was painted blue, with gold fleur-de-lys, the symbol of the king. The ceiling of the upper chapel, where the royals worshipped, was painted blue with gold stars. I guess if one is a commoner, one can only lift your eyes as far as the king. But the king can lift his eyes to heaven...
After this hard day's work, we headed home, stopping at our cafe, le Comite. I think the cafes are my favorite part of Paris so far. You sit, have a glass of wine and watch the people. A wonderful way to relax.
We started with the Tower tour of Notre Dame.
400 steps. No lift.
The view was worth it, though. Miles got some great photos of the chimera (what people think of as "gargoyles") We could see la Tour Eiffel, Montmartre, le Louvre. Kind of cool to walk about the parapets. It amazes me how the stones are worn from over 700 years of tourists....
Next we went in to church. Hordes of people, lots of kids on field trips, toddlers in strollers. It's quite an impressive sight. But I couldn't get a "sacred" feeling.
By the time walked down the stairs, then walked through the church, I had "gone Elvis". My legs were shaking pretty badly, so we stopped for lunch at a creperie. We refreshed ourselves with buckwheat crepes, then grabbed a coffee and headed towards Sainte Chapelle, making a stop at the Jardin du Luxembourg.
The wait to get thru security at Sainte Chapelle was at least a half an hour. The chapel is in the courtyard of the Palace of Justice, which houses the Supreme Court of France and other judicial bodies. After security, we walked right into the lower chapel (complete with gift shop!), then into the "Haute Chapelle". Interestingly, the ceiling of the lower chapel, where the commoners worshipped, was painted blue, with gold fleur-de-lys, the symbol of the king. The ceiling of the upper chapel, where the royals worshipped, was painted blue with gold stars. I guess if one is a commoner, one can only lift your eyes as far as the king. But the king can lift his eyes to heaven...
After this hard day's work, we headed home, stopping at our cafe, le Comite. I think the cafes are my favorite part of Paris so far. You sit, have a glass of wine and watch the people. A wonderful way to relax.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Starting to relax
Today felt weird. I felt thick and fuzzy. Jet lag, no doubt. We managed to get out the door before 4pm. Pretty good considering we slept in 'till 1:30pm.
Our adventure du jour was an historic walk of Rick Steve's. We started at Notre Dame and were immediately panhandled by a purported Bosnian refuge. She was a hard sell, too. Miles handed her a euro to get rid of her.
Next we saw the memorial to French deportees of World War II. Red paint on the cuniform-like writing drove home the fate of most of the deportees.
Next, we wandered about the Left Bank. Most of the booksellers were closed. We stopped for a bite at a cafe. Interestingly, the TV's in this place were playing MTV. I saw videos by Bob Marley, Tori Amos and U2. The French seem obsessed by American music. (Our cabby from the airport was playing Elvis)
We had dinner not far from our apartment. Miles had confit du carnard and I had pasta carbonara. Accoss from us was a table of 3 Americans, one of whom obvious lived in Paris. She had her chocolate lab with her. The poor thing was so tired, it stumbled getting under the table.
That's all I have to report on day 2 of the Trip. Stay tuned; tomorrow, we tour Notre Dame!
Our adventure du jour was an historic walk of Rick Steve's. We started at Notre Dame and were immediately panhandled by a purported Bosnian refuge. She was a hard sell, too. Miles handed her a euro to get rid of her.
Next we saw the memorial to French deportees of World War II. Red paint on the cuniform-like writing drove home the fate of most of the deportees.
Next, we wandered about the Left Bank. Most of the booksellers were closed. We stopped for a bite at a cafe. Interestingly, the TV's in this place were playing MTV. I saw videos by Bob Marley, Tori Amos and U2. The French seem obsessed by American music. (Our cabby from the airport was playing Elvis)
We had dinner not far from our apartment. Miles had confit du carnard and I had pasta carbonara. Accoss from us was a table of 3 Americans, one of whom obvious lived in Paris. She had her chocolate lab with her. The poor thing was so tired, it stumbled getting under the table.
That's all I have to report on day 2 of the Trip. Stay tuned; tomorrow, we tour Notre Dame!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
We have arrived!
Miles and I have arrived in the City of Light.
Flights were smooth. No problems with bags or customs.
After a righteous, 3-hours nap, we went walkabout in the City. A few observations, in no particular order:
We are just a few blocks from Notre Dame.
Why are so many preschoolers sucking on binkies?!
Mother Clark was right; a scarf is an essential item. I was a bonehead and forgot the beautiful scarf she gave me, so Miles bought me one as a Mother's Day gift. I don't feel so naked now.
French women are either beautifully turned out, or completely undone. No middle groud.
The people watching in Paris is fabulous!
Despite what many guide books say, the natives are very pleasant. Our waiter joked and smiled.
We had our first cafe and croissant, our first drink in a cafe and our first dinner. French onion soup, grilled lamb and creme brulee for me, salmon salad and pork chop with potato gratin for Miles. Yummy
Now,if you will excuse me, our wine is chilled, and the jet-lag is brutal.
Bon nuit!
Flights were smooth. No problems with bags or customs.
After a righteous, 3-hours nap, we went walkabout in the City. A few observations, in no particular order:
We are just a few blocks from Notre Dame.
Why are so many preschoolers sucking on binkies?!
Mother Clark was right; a scarf is an essential item. I was a bonehead and forgot the beautiful scarf she gave me, so Miles bought me one as a Mother's Day gift. I don't feel so naked now.
French women are either beautifully turned out, or completely undone. No middle groud.
The people watching in Paris is fabulous!
Despite what many guide books say, the natives are very pleasant. Our waiter joked and smiled.
We had our first cafe and croissant, our first drink in a cafe and our first dinner. French onion soup, grilled lamb and creme brulee for me, salmon salad and pork chop with potato gratin for Miles. Yummy
Now,if you will excuse me, our wine is chilled, and the jet-lag is brutal.
Bon nuit!
Friday, May 8, 2009
We are outta here!
This is it, sports fans! The moment we've all been waiting for....
Liftoff!
Miles, the girls and I will spend tonight at Gra-Maw's. Tomorrow, we get up at oh-dark-thirty to start the Trip!
Notes from the road will be posted; stay tuned!
Liftoff!
Miles, the girls and I will spend tonight at Gra-Maw's. Tomorrow, we get up at oh-dark-thirty to start the Trip!
Notes from the road will be posted; stay tuned!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Starting to pack!
With 5 days until departure, I am beginning the most stressful part of the Trip.
Packing.
For me, packing for a major trip is almost inevitably fraught with peril and angst. The first consideration: what are my most flattering outfits? Are they suitable for the events and season? ("Ack! I have nothing to wear!") Followed closely by: do the the clothes I want to take still fit/need cleaning/where the heck are they?!? ("I need to lose 20 pounds! Like, yesterday!")
Then comes the shoe dilemma. Which shoes go with which outfit? How many pairs should I take/will fit in my suitcase? And if there are plans for lots of sightseeing, then the shoe problem gets worse. Then you need shoes that not only coordinate with your wardrobe, but you must be able to walk long distances in them. ("Thank goodness for Sketchers, is all I'm saying....")
Then, there is the accessory component. What belts/scarves/jackets do I need to go with what clothes? Will this put me over my weight limit? Next, makeup and styling needs. Should I take my hair dryer, curling iron, straitening iron, ("Good lord, look at my hair!") clothes steamer? What makeup should I take?("Holy Mother of Poodles! I need to be more diligent with the wrinkle cream!" Which pieces of jewelry? Do I take the good stuff? ("What if I get mugged?!?")
Brother. Do I sound neurotic, or what?!
Oy vey, everybody!
Packing.
For me, packing for a major trip is almost inevitably fraught with peril and angst. The first consideration: what are my most flattering outfits? Are they suitable for the events and season? ("Ack! I have nothing to wear!") Followed closely by: do the the clothes I want to take still fit/need cleaning/where the heck are they?!? ("I need to lose 20 pounds! Like, yesterday!")
Then comes the shoe dilemma. Which shoes go with which outfit? How many pairs should I take/will fit in my suitcase? And if there are plans for lots of sightseeing, then the shoe problem gets worse. Then you need shoes that not only coordinate with your wardrobe, but you must be able to walk long distances in them. ("Thank goodness for Sketchers, is all I'm saying....")
Then, there is the accessory component. What belts/scarves/jackets do I need to go with what clothes? Will this put me over my weight limit? Next, makeup and styling needs. Should I take my hair dryer, curling iron, straitening iron, ("Good lord, look at my hair!") clothes steamer? What makeup should I take?("Holy Mother of Poodles! I need to be more diligent with the wrinkle cream!" Which pieces of jewelry? Do I take the good stuff? ("What if I get mugged?!?")
Brother. Do I sound neurotic, or what?!
Oy vey, everybody!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Getting down to the wire
One week from today, Miles & I will be on a plane to Paris. (Well, actually..... to Phoenix, then Philadelphia, then Paris. But that's the price you pay for cheap airfare.)
I'm feeling pretty confident that we aren't gonna have any last-minute freak outs over getting out the door. Most of our shopping is done. We both have our "urban assault" shoes. We've upgraded our wardrobes. I've started a list of what I need to pack. Miles worked on a make-shift watering system for our garden today. We figured out we can get our museum pass at the airport. Miles ordered cell phones for us to use in Europe. I know exactly where our passports are. The only problem I foresee is deciding which of our 19 guidebooks on Paris we will take.
One week. Huh. I'm starting to feel the slightest bit of excitement, a little flutter of adrenalin at the thought of actually having my first real vacation in 15 years. I am so very ready; the family chaos is starting to really bug me. For instance, just in the last five hours:
- Three out of four of my kids turned up their noses at my grilled ribeye enchiladas, but an hour later wanted a snack.
- Claire was pouring milk into her hand, then scrubbing it onto her face.
- There are large, green leaves on the stairs.
- The little girls got into Kayla's makeup and smeared concealer and nail polish on her mirror.
- Claire decorated her bed, her pillow, and her father with Disney stickers.
- Aeron started to sob when Claire put away a book. "That's MY JOB!" she wailed, face down in the carpet.
- I found a plastic bag with half-eaten sugar snag peas on the family room floor.
- And the cherry on top? The little girls found a puppy and gleefully trapped it in their playhouse. "Can we keep it?!?"
I remember something Pam Sugerman said the day after her wedding. She and Tom were going somewhere fabulous for their honeymoon, and someone made a comment about all the great sites to be seen there. She remarked, flatly, "The only thing I want to see in the first 24 hours is my pillow."
Yeah. That's about right.
I'm feeling pretty confident that we aren't gonna have any last-minute freak outs over getting out the door. Most of our shopping is done. We both have our "urban assault" shoes. We've upgraded our wardrobes. I've started a list of what I need to pack. Miles worked on a make-shift watering system for our garden today. We figured out we can get our museum pass at the airport. Miles ordered cell phones for us to use in Europe. I know exactly where our passports are. The only problem I foresee is deciding which of our 19 guidebooks on Paris we will take.
One week. Huh. I'm starting to feel the slightest bit of excitement, a little flutter of adrenalin at the thought of actually having my first real vacation in 15 years. I am so very ready; the family chaos is starting to really bug me. For instance, just in the last five hours:
- Three out of four of my kids turned up their noses at my grilled ribeye enchiladas, but an hour later wanted a snack.
- Claire was pouring milk into her hand, then scrubbing it onto her face.
- There are large, green leaves on the stairs.
- The little girls got into Kayla's makeup and smeared concealer and nail polish on her mirror.
- Claire decorated her bed, her pillow, and her father with Disney stickers.
- Aeron started to sob when Claire put away a book. "That's MY JOB!" she wailed, face down in the carpet.
- I found a plastic bag with half-eaten sugar snag peas on the family room floor.
- And the cherry on top? The little girls found a puppy and gleefully trapped it in their playhouse. "Can we keep it?!?"
I remember something Pam Sugerman said the day after her wedding. She and Tom were going somewhere fabulous for their honeymoon, and someone made a comment about all the great sites to be seen there. She remarked, flatly, "The only thing I want to see in the first 24 hours is my pillow."
Yeah. That's about right.
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