tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21233677685558399082024-02-20T07:28:46.635-08:00Eccos in Paris9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-41434780706912084422014-06-30T14:00:00.000-07:002014-06-30T14:00:00.492-07:00DeYoung and the RestlessMy new flight home from Paris was not cancelled and apparently there were no strikes happening in the city on that day! Banner day for Paris! <br />
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It was a long day of travel, but I arrived in San Francisco to a couple of smiling faces and big hugs. My mom and Christianne met me in the airport and I couldn't have been happier to see them. We spent the night in the city and decided to go see the Modernism exhibit at the DeYoung Museum the next day before heading back to Chico. It's not possible to go to too many museums you know.<br />
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We had a great time checking out some awesome artwork, including a Roy Lichtenstein of the Statue of Liberty! I tell you, she is everywhere! Of course, theme dressing for the national symbols unit in first grade came to mind when I saw the same painting on a t-shirt in the gift shop! Somebody has a new addition to their teacher wardrobe!! Woot!</div>
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Taking a selfie with three people is hard! Ha!</div>
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Don't worry, I didn't forget about the Eccos!</div>
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Eccos at the DeYoung.</div>
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I was pretty anxious to get home to see the kids, so off we went to Chico. I fell into bed as soon as we got home it seemed and got to see the littles first thing Friday morning. Saturday I headed up to Greenville to pick the bigs up from camp! It was fabulous to see everyone and now we are all getting on with the business of summer! </div>
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Gus in his French brain swim cap! He loves it!</div>
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Finn, Jack and Abe in their French soccer jerseys. </div>
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Next adventure for me and my Eccos...Vegas baby!! </div>
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<br />9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-87049960284105717112014-06-29T14:00:00.000-07:002014-06-29T14:00:01.826-07:00Take Aways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My time in Paris flew by, just like the scenery while on the train. It was a great trip.</div>
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I spent two weeks in a brand new city, all alone. I hardly spoke to anyone in those two weeks. I of course, spoke a little French when necessary - merci beaucoup was actually about it! I ordered food in restaurants on occasion, and I asked directions a couple of times. Other than that I really didn't talk! I was alone with my thoughts and that was something that I really needed. I walked and explored when I wanted to. I ate and drank when I wanted to. I went wherever I wanted to go on my own time schedule! I slept when I was tired and read a bunch of books. It was restful and restorative. </div>
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I also did a lot of things that I had never done before. Honestly, I did a lot things I always thought I wasn't very good at. I have always believed (for various reasons) that I had no sense of direction and couldn't find my way out of a paper bag; that I was a terrible navigator and couldn't read a map worth a damn. This trip was full map reading, navigating and finding my way around an unfamiliar city. While there were plenty of times that I had no idea where in Paris I was, I always found my way back to where I wanted to go. Proving that of course, I can read a map and get around in the world just fine on my own. </div>
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Remember this crazy map?</div>
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Another thing I'd been told forever is that I am pretty high maintenance. Apparently, I need certain drinks and certain accommodations to be a happy girl. Well let me tell you...I couldn't find a cup of black iced tea with a slice of lemon in all of Paris. Anyone who knows me at all, is well aware of my tea addiction. I drink iced tea morning, noon and night. Even Starbucks in Paris had no iced tea! Being so high maintenance, you'd think I'd have died or have had to cancel the trip. I'm here to tell you that I survived just fine without my regular tea. I made due with "ice tea peche." It was Lipton tea with peach flavoring in a very small bottle and came at quite a price, 3-6 Euros a pop. It wasn't anything like the iced tea I usually drink and it had sweetener in it! Still, I survived. There were days when I didn't have any tea at all! God forbid!! I STILL survived! Shocking, I know. As for my accommodations...I didn't stay at a four star hotel. I rented a studio apartment in a working class, busy and noisy neighborhood. It was cluttered and a bit tacky. I couldn't have been more happy staying there. It was perfect! It was close to the metro, included a washer and a warm shower. I survived and was quite comfortable thank you very much. Hmmm....perhaps I'm not so high maintenance after all. Go figure!</div>
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Lipton Ice Tea Peche poured into a wine glass without ice! </div>
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Old, narrow stairs leading up to the flat I rented.</div>
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Now let's talk about being lazy. This is also something I have been told and had believed about myself. I have no idea how many miles I walked while in Paris, but I can tell you that I walked for hours everyday. Is sitting down and looking at an amazing piece of art considered lazy? I did do that. I also stayed in the apartment and read for a whole day - it was a vacation after all! I even sat in a few cafes and watched the world go by every so often. So if that qualifies me as lazy then I guess I'll take it. But I thought a lot about that label while I was gone, and thought a lot about my life in general in terms of being lazy. I don't know why I took that label and owned it. I tossed that label out the window on this trip. It's not possible to have nine kids, teach 20 first graders, and live a full life like I have and be lazy. I'm not sure why I didn't realize that before this trip. I guess it took walking for miles and miles, and having the space to examine my life to figure that out. I'm so glad I did. </div>
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Napping does not equal lazy.</div>
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Another take away from this trip was probably the most important and most positive realization for me. I have been told in lots of different ways that I am too dependent to do anything on my own. Now I enjoy the company of others. I do. I enjoy having friends, meeting new people, working collaboratively with my colleagues, hanging out with my kids etc. I also very much love having some time to myself. I love peace and quiet. I love to read and write and be alone. This doesn't happen very often in my life - remember those 9 kids and 20 first graders? I don't get much of an opportunity for alone time in my life and this trip certainly gave me that! I didn't need to be with anyone else. I didn't want to be with anyone else. I was fine on my own and continue to be fine on my own. I've been fine on my own for quite some time now and have managed to take care of myself and my kids on my own. Again, having the time to walk and think and examine gave me the perspective to realize that dependent is not the same as enjoying the company of others. I am plenty independent and capable and competent. Phew! </div>
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All by myself, sitting in a restaurant, reading a book, happy and content as can be. </div>
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I probably didn't need to go all the way to Paris to discover that these things that I had believed about myself weren't true, but I'm sure glad I did! It was a wonderful place to walk, contemplate and get to know myself better. As I was exploring one day, I happened upon a store with the strangest window displays ever. I loved one of them most especially because it pretty much summed up how I was feeling about these negative things I had always believed about myself. I had to take a picture.</div>
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Nothing like a big red chimp to get the point across eh?</div>
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My Eccos served me well in Paris so I think I'll take them on some more adventures. Stay tuned!</div>
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Eccos on my age in Paris.</div>
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9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-23709011286266548772014-06-28T16:28:00.001-07:002014-06-28T16:29:35.963-07:00Au Revoir Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All good things must come to an end, sadly. I received an email last Sunday from the airlines that explained that due to a strike by the air traffic controllers, my flight home was cancelled. Yes, they plan their strikes well in advance in Paris. So I called the airlines to rebook my flight and my choices were to stay an extra week and miss my trip to Vegas for a conference, or come home a week early. Well, the choice was obvious... I needed to come home early. I wouldn't miss my trip to Vegas with Susan and Renee, and I could see the kids for awhile before Vegas! I figured it was a win-win situation. So.... I packed it up and headed home on June 25th.<br />
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My packed bag in the metro station for the last time.</div>
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On the metro for the last time. I'm on my way to the train that will take me to the airport.</div>
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I was actually pretty excited to ride the train. It's not too terribly different than the metro, but I didn't take the train much on my trip. It was another new experience!</div>
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The B train that would take me to the airport.</div>
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Eccos on the train.... wait, those aren't Eccos! </div>
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Birks on the train. </div>
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TSA was coming. I was prepared for easy on and off of the shoes!</div>
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Au revoir Paris! It's been real! </div>
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9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-45698169077573289252014-06-22T11:32:00.000-07:002014-06-22T11:32:58.796-07:00Rodin and ArmorToday's adventure: Rodin! What a great way to spend the day!<br />
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Are you ready for today's art lesson? I learned a lot today. Rodin made many casts of his famous statue The Thinker. It was originally a very small statue. He made it larger once he decided he liked it so much. <br />
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The Thinker in the garden of the Musee Rodin.</div>
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Rodin also liked to take apart his molds and reuse the body parts to make new statues or statues of individual body parts. </div>
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Hand by Rodin</div>
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Rodin's work was compared to Robert Maplethorpe's photography in a special exhibit. Maplethorpe loved Rodin and studied him closely. He also took pictures of isolated body parts as well. They both used movement and light and line in their work. It was stunning to see these works side by side. Really powerful and beautiful.</div>
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Hands by Maplethorpe</div>
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It was also very cool to see all the famous Rodin sculptures in one place. The Museum is located in what was once a hotel that became an artists quarters. It was then purchased by Rodin and made into a museum by him as well. </div>
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The Kiss by Rodin</div>
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Hotel Biron that houses the Musee Rodin</div>
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The museum also has beautiful gardens to wander. Rodin sculptures are tucked into the garden landscape amid beautiful flowers and lawns. </div>
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Eccos at Musee Rodin</div>
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After I left the Musee Rodin I wandered the streets nearby. I found another beautiful museum to visit!</div>
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This lovely building is the home of Napoleon's Tomb, the Hotel des Invalides. This is actually the church dome where the tomb lies. One of the wings of the Hotel des Invalides houses the Musee de l'Armee, the military museum. </div>
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Napoleon's Tomb</div>
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Eccos at Napoleon's Tomb</div>
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Admittedly, I am not that interested in military stuff. None the less, I went through the military museum after seeing Napoleon's Tomb. It was filled with case after case of armor, swords, and guns. What I saw surprised me. The armor was gorgeous! The swords were so beautifully decorated. The guns were beautifully carved and etched. There were whole rooms of cannons! It was actually pretty interesting and cool. I really liked it. </div>
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Head armor for a horse. So cool!</div>
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Check out that beautiful armor! </div>
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After learning all I could manage at the military museum I decided it was time to call it a day. I hopped back on the metro and headed back to the flat for a yummy dinner of bread, cheese and cherries. </div>
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La cerise origine France Provence</div>
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<br />9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-1080146261668412032014-06-21T09:14:00.001-07:002014-06-21T09:55:02.618-07:00On Top of the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4ysfW0KrLlre8837ureGJ5L2-qOF-6Du2bSlNxr7jgh-fH94wNw2PY0HBHLfLk6RZVAypVUiuvnLtAzH4Dd72BVCH6Tqz5nzs9DF0asRlNQepBZOjSwdKacsCsmfCPBjZ4b03dUEqcc/s1600/photo+3+%252837%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4ysfW0KrLlre8837ureGJ5L2-qOF-6Du2bSlNxr7jgh-fH94wNw2PY0HBHLfLk6RZVAypVUiuvnLtAzH4Dd72BVCH6Tqz5nzs9DF0asRlNQepBZOjSwdKacsCsmfCPBjZ4b03dUEqcc/s1600/photo+3+%252837%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Here I am on top of the world...or at least at the top of Paris. I went to the Pompidou today and rode the escalators up to the top! The view was amazing. For some weird reason I didn't think it was going to be quite so high! I got more and more nervous as I continued to climb up high, but up I went. I quickly snapped a few photos of the view and then went inside the building. I hate heights and my stomach flip flopping all over the place! Yikes!!!<br />
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The escalators are pretty cool. They are in these tubes that zig-zag up the outside of the building. </div>
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Do you see the teeny tiny Eiffel Tower out there? </div>
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<span class="">Surprisingly, I think this was my favorite museum so far! It was full of fun, colorful and funky stuff - pop art that really makes no sense to me. It was also full of other more modern painters that we all know and love - Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Mondrian. I loved it all. Okay this one I didn't really love:</span></div>
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<span class="">There was a big white tent, wailing music, sand and a palm tree in the middle of the tent with alphabet letters projected on the ceiling. All I could think of was <u>Chicka Chicka Boom Boom</u>. I don't think that was what the artist was going for. I have no idea what it was supposed to represent. There were other weird ones...lots of plastic bottles strung together. I didn't get that either. </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwj5GY5SyVbB3Mdbh4KSlyrss3zoyN4TpV48bxyNX2y3md0u4thxnvbhY1K-0vklZMZ_1rP9YI-9Fg-ZgKHkAPBBA4DlQPOnIGyYEhBPecf5Nd8fCG3N_3e5aiePnL0tBeBHjFHE2JSc/s1600/photo+1+%252838%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwj5GY5SyVbB3Mdbh4KSlyrss3zoyN4TpV48bxyNX2y3md0u4thxnvbhY1K-0vklZMZ_1rP9YI-9Fg-ZgKHkAPBBA4DlQPOnIGyYEhBPecf5Nd8fCG3N_3e5aiePnL0tBeBHjFHE2JSc/s1600/photo+1+%252838%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">This was the only thing that resembled "art" to me in this part of the museum. You can't really tell, but it's made from a grocery bag, newspaper, feathers and beads. The artist (I can't remember his name) took a lot of mushrooms in the 70s while he created art. Not very surprising! It looks like someone raided a teacher's craft drawers. It looks like a first grader made it too! But really, I loved this museum! </span></div>
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<span class="">The rest of the museum was filled with amazing work! </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2aauGg_A7M4S0z5xv2tmhn27wFn2wgS4H99ktvUCCPHSQr3p3ayAFGEVgNsSYNlEuchqlpJNnpokDQ8ymucNysGp31OaExwp6dJvt__nQEYK2pziSLlx-jF7uFKNiMrn_Pg9DUiflcw/s1600/photo+1+%252837%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2aauGg_A7M4S0z5xv2tmhn27wFn2wgS4H99ktvUCCPHSQr3p3ayAFGEVgNsSYNlEuchqlpJNnpokDQ8ymucNysGp31OaExwp6dJvt__nQEYK2pziSLlx-jF7uFKNiMrn_Pg9DUiflcw/s1600/photo+1+%252837%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">I know I look bored to death, but inside I was screaming "oh my gosh! It's a real Picasso!!" I was totally trying to look calm, cool and collected so I didn't make too much of a fool of myself. </span></div>
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<span class=""> Mondrian - love the yellow!</span></div>
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<span class="">Georgia O'Keefe - love it all!</span></div>
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<span class="">There was a music festival going on in the area so bands were playing, people were dancing and there was a ton of good people watching. So after wandering around for quite a long time, I went outside and sat and watched. </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs2hRZVGYUkYqUVvtDDXVCe5ktjqZgEyoiSTaWrYr7X8Y_jC4JfTso9Uy8Lt0VGYePbHEPGKPk2FjF7UbzFITU0MvxDgVZ97aQkmJgAGi8IqJCr9YGkTlAYHeb-_TOT3zdli-JdVY0ME/s1600/photo+2+%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs2hRZVGYUkYqUVvtDDXVCe5ktjqZgEyoiSTaWrYr7X8Y_jC4JfTso9Uy8Lt0VGYePbHEPGKPk2FjF7UbzFITU0MvxDgVZ97aQkmJgAGi8IqJCr9YGkTlAYHeb-_TOT3zdli-JdVY0ME/s1600/photo+2+%252833%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">Eccos at the Pompidou</span></div>
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<span class="">Then this happened - </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhoPm6lGQ6McQ3ihyTHMW_VIJdPZbstXltj4D6PDMafoBT19SDzTNKo5A1OvJTwmbE4AtI4HwOvXWx-BZLYYzFQnsNPrj2LG5aVmVOpbPPMCHYn3g0kU61pcRcxnJQz-ySg3Pwvh0Gm0/s1600/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhoPm6lGQ6McQ3ihyTHMW_VIJdPZbstXltj4D6PDMafoBT19SDzTNKo5A1OvJTwmbE4AtI4HwOvXWx-BZLYYzFQnsNPrj2LG5aVmVOpbPPMCHYn3g0kU61pcRcxnJQz-ySg3Pwvh0Gm0/s1600/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">I finally ate some glace! They made it into this rose for me! This is from a place called Amarino. I had lemon and strawberry. It was super yummy and almost too pretty to eat. Loved it. </span></div>
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<span class="">I met a man while I was eating my glace who was a fabric importer for 15 years and has recently lost his job. He now draws caricatures for living at 10 Euro a pop. He was sweet and a little sad. I didn't get my picture drawn (I kind of felt bad about that) but he asked me to dinner. Ha! I politely declined and went on my way. Who knows if his sad little story was even true. He was sweet though. Not my type however! Too funny. </span></div>
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<span class="">Nearby there is a fun pool with funky fountains in it. It was colorful and fun. Sat and watched more people from there. It is surrounded by a bench so you can sit and enjoy the fountains up close. </span></div>
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<span class="">Headed home after listening to music and all that people watching. Stopped for the ingredients of my favorite French dinner - bread, cheese and a tomato with some fruit. Doesn't get better than that! </span></div>
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<br />9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-54391496648794298832014-06-19T12:07:00.001-07:002014-06-28T16:38:18.810-07:00Statue of Liberty<span class="">Nope, I'm not in New York City. It was funny how often the Statue of Liberty came up today though. She was everywhere! I visited the Musee d'Orsay today and there she was just as I walked in. Of course there were groups of school children sitting right by her! She's much smaller than our version in New York of course, and she's still brown, not having been exposed to the weather and all. It was fun to see her.</span><br />
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<span class="">I loved the Musee d'Orsay. I had great hopes of visiting the Musee Rodin today as well, but by the time I was finished at the Orsay, there was only about an hour to spend at the Rodin. I'll have to squeeze that in another day! <span class="">The Musee d'Orsay had so many great works that I had never thought I'd see in person. </span>It was amazing to walk through the museum and look at paintings that I've only seen in books right in front of me. There was a special exhibit of Van Gogh. It was based on a book written by this man who spent nine years in an insane asylum. He was an artist in the 1940s and since he was "crazy" he wrote a book about Van Gogh being "crazy" and what his art meant. The exhibit was all about how society caused Van Gogh to commit suicide or something. Honestly, I did not care a bit about this man's points of view. I was far too interested in soaking up all the Van Gogh paintings in front of me. </span></div>
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<span class="">Photos were not allowed in the exhibit, this Van Gogh was outside the special exhibit. I do not think pictures were really allowed here either, I snapped this one really quickly (that's why it's off center) and then felt super guilty about breaking the rules. Everyone else was taking photos, but you know what they say ... 189 wrongs, do not make a right! Ha! I ended up buying a couple of postcards after the exhibit. They will have to suffice. <span class="">It was pretty exciting to see his self portraits, roses and sunflowers. </span><span class="">Starry Night was not part of the exhibit, there were so many others that were, I couldn't complain.</span></span></div>
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Here I am with Van Gogh himself. </div>
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<span class="">There were lots of other things that I saw at the Musee d'Orsay too!</span></div>
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Susan texted that she was headed out to see some gators on a swamp tour in Louisiana. I spotted this and thought of her right away. Hopefully her experience with the gators wasn't quite like this! Yikes! </div>
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<span class="">After the Musee d'Orsay, I decided to take a boat trip down the Seine. I was up for sitting down for an hour, enjoying a cool breeze and seeing the sights. </span></div>
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<span class="">I got a great view of the Eiffel Tower from the boat. What a beautiful day too!</span></div>
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<span class="">I had to take a selfie! It was too good an opportunity to pass up! Ha!</span></div>
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<span class="">The Musee d'Orsay from the boat. </span></div>
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<span class="">Apparently, it was originally a train station that was converted to a museum much later. </span></div>
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<span class="">Pont du Alexander III</span></div>
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<span class="">This is the fanciest of all the bridges across the Seine. </span></div>
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<span class="">While I was on the cruise on the Seine, the Statue of Liberty came up again! I couldn't get a picture, but by one of the bridges there is an exact replica of flame on the Lady Liberty's torch. It's gold and everything. It was very cool to see. I meant to walk by and get a picture, but I got distracted by the Louvre! oops! I guess it was dedicated to Princess Dianna after she died. I'm not sure why.... </span></div>
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<span class="">Then, as we went under yet another bridge, they told us how another replica of the Statue of Liberty was a the end of the bridge. She's everywhere I tell you! The French are pretty proud of that gift to the United States! </span></div>
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<span class="">Eccos on the boat on the Seine.</span></div>
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<span class="">After I got off the boat, I walked back by the Louvre. I can't seem to get enough of that place. I didn't go in again. It was close to closing time, but the grounds outside of the Louvre are fantastic as well! </span></div>
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<span class="">There is that cool pyramid again! Love this place!!</span></div>
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<span class="">On my way back to the Metro, I actually shopped a little bit. Can you believe it? I shopped! I picked up a few souvenirs for the kids and then made my way back to the flat. I didn't realize that I hadn't eaten since lunch until I got back! I was actually still full after seven hours! It was an amazing lunch to be sure! I made a special trip to a restaurant called Frenchie To Go that I had heard great reviews about. It was worth the special trip to a new part of the city. The food was awesome!</span></div>
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I had fish and chips. The British girl sitting by me said they weren't the British version, and they sure weren't the American version either. It was so yummy! I'll take this French version any day! </div>
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The fun part of making this trek to find this restaurant was that I had to take the train. The RER C to be exact. This is different than the Metro. It's still underground and all, but it's a real train, not a subway. It was a fun new adventure!<br />
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The C train - double decker even! </div>
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Eccos waiting for the train. </div>
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Well, it was another great day in Paris! We shall see what tomorrow brings. I'm sure it will be good! </div>
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9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-46680117005745525642014-06-18T12:59:00.000-07:002014-06-18T13:13:12.000-07:00Time to eat!<span class="">I had trouble sleeping last night. I mean real trouble. I was still awake at 4:30 this morning! Not sure what was up...lots of thinking going on these days. Decisions flash in front of my eyes and for some reason I feel like everything has to be decided right that moment. Whatever! Ugh! Half the time, they aren't even real decisions to be made, just things I invent in my head! ha! Mind games!</span><br />
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<span class=""><span class="">So I slept in today instead of getting up and heading to Versailles like I had planned. I finally left the house around 4:00 and went walking. I walked in a new direction in the neighborhood to see what I could find. I stumbled on to more shops, a school for little ones, playgrounds and restaurants. I stopped at a cafe, hoping for food but discovered that kitchens don't open until 7:30 at the earliest for dinner! I had some tea, read my book and went on my way. After wandering a bit more I ended up at a restaurant that looked promising for dinner. I went in, had a glass of wine, read some more and waited for the kitchen to open. I was not disappointed. I ordered the filet, more wine and enjoyed the best meal I've had in Paris so far. </span></span><br />
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I lingered over my meal... something I've been told I'm not very good at. I ate slowly, savoring every bite of this perfectly cooked meal and this lovely wine. I watched the people go by and enjoyed the view of the street.<br />
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<span class="">After my scrumptious meal, I decided to have dessert. The waiter brought me what he thought was best from the dessert menu. It turned out to be a little bit of everything. It was awesome! </span><br />
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<span class="">That is some creme brulee you see, some espresso, a mini chocolate cake thing that was warm and gooey inside, some tapioca pudding, strawberries with some green sauce on them, some tart berries over yogurt... oh my goodness! A, B, C, Delicious! </span></div>
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<span class="">Once I finished, I realized that I had no clue where I was in relation to the flat. I knew I couldn't be far since I had walked there, it all just suddenly looked very different than when I had arrived. </span></div>
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<span class="">I didn't have my map - oops! I figured if worse came to worse, I could find a metro station and find my way back from there. It turned out that after a bit of wandering, and probably a bit of luck, I stumbled onto the street that my flat is on! I wasn't sure if I was headed in the right direction on the street, but I gave it a go. Sure enough, I found my flat! I was coming from the other direction, but there it was! I made it! Whoever said I couldn't find my way out of paper bag was wrong! Tada! Go Kari go! </span></div>
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<span class="">That grey door is the entrance and the window above the yellow framing is the window to the flat. I even made it home before dark! Maybe tonight I will sleep well with my full belly and be ready and raring to go on a new adventure tomorrow. Bonsoir mon ami! </span></div>
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9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-17704495293186114272014-06-17T08:45:00.000-07:002014-06-17T08:46:59.928-07:00The Metro<span class="">My biggest worry before coming to Paris was how I would find my way around the city, especially since I don't speak French. I didn't want to take taxis - too expensive, and one can only walk so far right? Well I got initiated to the Metro as soon as I left the airport and I haven't looked back. </span><br />
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<span class="">I am staying in the neighborhood of Nation. It's super close to the Metro station of Bezunval and I can link to just about anywhere from within a stop of two of here. It's been great. The map of the Metro can be very confusing at first glance. It's sometimes hard to find where you are and to figure out which direction you want to go when switching lines, but the trick is to look at the end of each line on the map. The direction the train is going is always listed as the last stop on the line. </span></div>
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<span class="">The nice lady in the red vest that helped me find my way from the airport taught me that trick. It's been a godsend. I have yet to get lost! I have even been able to find the shortest and fastest routes to where I want to go! Success! When I'm done at the end of each day, I now walk through familiar tunnels to the Metro line 9 and get off at Buzenval.</span></div>
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I look for the Sortie (exit) sign and make my way up to the street. </div>
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I think they want you to run every time you leave any where. So far I haven't run, but I still manage to exit successfully!</div>
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Heading up the escalator at the Buzenval station.</div>
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Eccos on the Metro. </div>
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<span class=""><br /></span>9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-14677080023952393312014-06-17T07:58:00.000-07:002014-06-17T08:11:28.679-07:00MontmartreToday I explored the neighborhood of Montmartre. This is a fun neighborhood up on a hill north of Paris. The Sacre Coeur is there. It's beautiful, like all the other churches in Paris. I took the metro there and then walked and walked again. This is a pretty touristy area - I guess all of Paris is, but this area seemed even more so. There were so many souvenir shops and bistros that all looked exactly the same I was wondering what I would actually see as I wandered. <br />
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<span class="">I started off at the Sacre Coeur.</span><br />
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<span class="">It was seriously crowded! The view from up at the top of the hill was pretty impressive however!</span></div>
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<span class=""> Just like everywhere in Montmartre, you had to go up lots of stairs to get there. I actually took the funicular up to this point. I've never been in a funicular before so I wanted to give it a try. I also figured it would be easier to come down all the steps than to go up them all. </span></div>
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<span class="">The funicular headed up to the top of Montmartre.</span></div>
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<span class="">Eccos in Montmartre, going down! </span></div>
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<span class="">While there, I did finally get past all of the souvenir shops and find some great creperies. My first crepe of the day was ham, cheese and a fried egg. Crepe Complete it what it was called. </span></div>
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<span class="">Later on in the day I decided I needed a sweet crepe. So I found the tiniest little creperie tucked down a side street and ordered at chocolate and banana crepe. Oh my word! It was heaven! </span></div>
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<span class="">After eating that slice of heaven I walked and walked and walked some more. I definitely needed the exercise after that indulgence. I saw lots of cool buildings, taverns and boutiques. There were many street artists and lots of galleries to check out. I found a painting that I absolutely fell in love with. They wouldn't let me take a picture. It was only 1,500 Euros! I had to leave it behind sadly. C'est la vie! </span></div>
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<span class="">And of course, I saw more groups of school children! </span></div>
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9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-6044747698422430212014-06-16T09:46:00.001-07:002014-06-16T10:25:05.200-07:00Notre Dame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class=""> I went looking for the hunchback today ... and god. <span class="">It was a no go on both accounts. </span>I found lots of other beautiful and interesting things to occupy myself however. It was quite a day for taking in lots of sights! </span><br />
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<span class=""><span class="">I started off toward Notre Dame, not in a hurry to get there. I was determined to go slow, look up, and enjoy everything around me. I stopped for lunch at a lovely little cafe right by the courthouse. The cafe was filled with lawyers doing business. Lots of intense discussions were happening and lots of papers were being signed. Funny how they do that in a restaurant. This was the view of the courthouse, though. So beautiful!</span></span><br />
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Apparently there are still dungeon-like cells underneath that are still in use. </div>
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<span class="">I've been eating a lot of bread, cheese and fruit so I took this opportunity to eat some protein. </span>Susan was sure to tell me that cheese was not enough protein and I needed to eat some soon! I took her advice and had some yummy quiche. It was fantastic! </div>
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Feel better now Susan? </div>
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I wandered toward Notre Dame and stumbled on to the most fabulous bookstore! I spent a good hour just looking at everything. It was pretty cramped inside and full of nooks and crannies. No pictures were allowed inside, but trust me, it was awesome! I kept thinking Gracie would have been in heaven in this place! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ES2WzMuTnQwS3TXomJegcn0nMly__gx7kJbrhqrO395_SjUoh8eqxcf9g7IxDHXFQ_taRoFk5Aht5XzqU57gAePjU8qV98TdWE0_E_ZgA1RrKr-QPMxGELJz5WIfovME38Lx_C8KXWc/s1600/photo+1+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ES2WzMuTnQwS3TXomJegcn0nMly__gx7kJbrhqrO395_SjUoh8eqxcf9g7IxDHXFQ_taRoFk5Aht5XzqU57gAePjU8qV98TdWE0_E_ZgA1RrKr-QPMxGELJz5WIfovME38Lx_C8KXWc/s1600/photo+1+%252819%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="">I could have stayed here all day! </span></div>
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<span class="">Notre Dame was just across the Seine and the bells were chiming, so I decided to go exploring. I crossed the Seine and walked up to ....</span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOUyEMSoiCxQfwt9w572Q6kfcQULZO0XXuuXVYilZTFycUlZJIDC6HQ5PjEHvf6gaPpet26W7kuvuth4BHbpbchj4fTcjiF89Khu_GN1OLe2RcRlfiM3hBBMoKo3yryMhp5okeFc5zRI/s1600/photo+5+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOUyEMSoiCxQfwt9w572Q6kfcQULZO0XXuuXVYilZTFycUlZJIDC6HQ5PjEHvf6gaPpet26W7kuvuth4BHbpbchj4fTcjiF89Khu_GN1OLe2RcRlfiM3hBBMoKo3yryMhp5okeFc5zRI/s1600/photo+5+%252810%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">Notre Dame!</span></div>
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<span class="">The line to get in was long but never fear, there was plenty to look at! Check out this tourist! </span></div>
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<span class="">There were quite a few kids who were sure she was Lady Gaga, but really she's just a tourist checking out the cathedral. How in the world does she get around in those heels? Clearly Eccos are not her style! </span></div>
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<span class="">As I made my way into the cathedral, I was struck by the size, the height of the ceilings, the darkness, the windows ... It was stunning. Instead of just wandering, I paid for the audio guide and made my way through it. It was well worth the 5 Euro. It was full of information that I'd never have picked up from wandering on my own. </span></div>
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<span class=""> This priest was seeing people in the confessional. I did not get in line. </span><br />
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<span class=""> The choir was practicing for a concert this weekend. The acoustics were unbelievable. The truly sounded like angels. The oldest member of the choir could not have been more than 15. It was beautiful to listen to them sing accompanied by a harpist and violinist. </span><br />
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<span class="">You could light a candle and say a prayer in many spots throughout the cathedral. They were beautiful. Normally I'm not the praying type, being an atheist and all, however I lit a candle and put out some good thoughts into the world for all my family and friends who have made my life bearable this year. It's been a long year for sure. <span class="">Positive thoughts in the universe can never hurt, especially for those I love so much. </span></span></div>
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<span class="">I made my way outside to the grounds and d</span>iscovered gardens and statues. Again, so amazing.</div>
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<span class="">Eccos at Notre Dame.</span></div>
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<span class="">The day continued with exploring the surrounding area. This was a lovely part of the city that I hadn't seen yet. I zig zagged over the Seine on the many bridges and found lots of quaint cafes, shops and hotels, along with beautiful apartment buildings. </span></div>
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I crossed the famous bridge that is full of locks as well. Apparently it's been in the news of late that the locks are getting so heavy that they are damaging the bridge. Apparently they've had to cut some off to thin it down and reduce the weight. It sure didn't look like they'd removed anything to me! It was pretty amazing to see. </div>
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Everywhere I've been in Paris there have been bikes available to rent on the street.</div>
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This is the first time I stumbled on to electric cars available to rent however. These cars were plugged in on the street. You could insert your credit card, unplug the car and drive away! I'm not sure where you'd have to go to drop it off, or if you'd have to come back to where you started, but it is a pretty cool idea none the less! </div>
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I walked and walked again today. The cobblestone streets are wonderful to explore.</div>
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Eccos in the streets of Paris. I love this city!</div>
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<br />9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-48798207891603837262014-06-14T09:36:00.000-07:002014-06-14T10:19:02.407-07:00Notes on my neighborhood<span class="">I woke this morning, my first Saturday in Paris, to quiet streets. <span class="">Strangely quiet. </span><span class=""><span class="">I Looked at the clock and it was 8:30. </span></span><span class=""><span class="">I stuck my head out the window and the streets were empty and still. </span></span><span class=""><span class="">I decided that if everyone else was still sleeping then I should be too! </span></span><span class=""> I went back to bed! </span><span class="">The next time I woke up It was 11:00 and the streets were starting to come to life. </span><span class=""><span class=""> I have noticed a very different schedule here for sure!</span></span></span><br />
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<span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class="goog-text-highlight"><span class="">The kids are still in school until the beginning of July. </span></span></span><span class=""><span class="goog-text-highlight"><span class="">They begin to make their way to school at around 8:30 in the morning.</span></span></span><span class="goog-text-highlight"><span class="">Their parents walk them there as they make their way to work. </span></span><span class=""> The kids look just like American school kids - backpacks and lunch boxes, shorts and t-shirts, riding scooters or bikes, laughing and skipping. </span>They do not head home from school until 4:00 however. I'<span class="">m not sure if they are in school all that time or if they all go to after school programs, but they hit the streets en masse at that time. </span>They head home and dump their stuff and are out to play right away. </span></span><br />
<span class=""><span class="">They play ball, ride scooters and skateboards, play at the neighborhood park and generally run around. No adults to supervise, no big kids looking out for the little siblings, just kids playing like kids do.</span></span><br />
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<span class="">The grown ups in this neighborhood are all ages, ethnicities, shapes, sizes and colors. They speak different languages, as many as I've ever heard, most seem to speak French as well. The young college age kids walk around on their cell phones seemingly in a hurry to who knows where. The older men lean against the buildings and talk. The women lean out the windows of their apartments and yell down to whomever they need for whatever they need. The kids ignore them all and just play.</span><br />
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<span class="">Cars make their way down the narrow streets, but not all the time. People definitely walk and take public transportation around here. They also rent bikes that are parked in sections of the streets every few blocks. They swipe a card, unlock the bike and ride away. They swipe the card again when they get where they are going and lock it back up. It's awesome! The Metro is at the corner and the trains come every couple of minutes. It's not too expensive (cheaper than a car for sure!) And so convenient! Why would you want to own a car? </span><br />
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<span class=""><span class="">There are markets on every corner. I've discovered a great fruit and veggie stand, a market called Picard where they have only frozen foods (not lean cuisine type foods - really cool things) and the Simply Market that is like a small American grocery store. There are many, many stores in the neighborhood. The pharmacy for health aid stuff, the Mega Lots for household goods, clothing stores specific to ethnicity, shoe stores, and lots and lots of stores where there is a desk, a computer and a phone with someone sitting there looking busy. I have no idea what these businesses are. People go in and out all day so they must be doing something! There are lots of bistros and cafes and bakeries as well. Everything you need or want is at your fingertips. </span></span><br />
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<span class=""><span class=""><span class="goog-text-highlight"><br /></span></span></span>9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-6744537640477054012014-06-13T13:39:00.001-07:002014-06-13T13:59:28.820-07:00Americans in Paris<span class="">Today I headed out to the Eiffel Tower. There were Americans everywhere! Everyone spoke English and everyone had a camera. After waiting in line for a few hours, we discovered that the security guards were on strike! A new day, a new strike I guess! This meant that they had closed the tower. Of course they did't make any announcement of this, just waited for the dumb Americans to figure it out! ha! I Took Some pictures from the ground, but I did not get to go up. Truth be told, I'm scared to death of heights so I'm not sure I want to go odd up to the top. I may not go back! Gasp! </span><br />
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<span class="">I wandered off to walk along the Seine and found myself at the Grand Palace where there was a Robert Maplethorpe exhibit that I really wanted to see. The security guard strike closed the tower, but for some reason it also meant all the museums were free! I took advantage of that and went to see all the special exhibits at the Grand Palace and the Petit Palace across the street! The </span>Maplethorpe exhibit was my favorite. He was a photographer in the 70s and 80s in New York City. He loved sculpture and photographed nudes as if they were sculptures, often displaying them next to photos of sculptures. He also photographed flowers and then body parts and displayed them together to show their similarities. I may never look at a calalilly the same way again! He really thought they looked like penises! He was also known for his erotica and pictures of some famous people. It was an amazing exhibit. It was interesting to see these pictures displayed in such an old building. Very cool.</div>
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<span class="">Eccos at the Petit Palace</span></div>
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<span class="">I loved the tile floors at the Petit Palace! Somebody must have taken years to lay the floors! </span></div>
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<span class="">After taking in the museums, I headed down the Champs Elysee. <span class="">Everyone told me this was something I must do while I am here so I did! </span><span class="">I honestly could have lived my whole life without doing this! </span><span class="">It was a sea of humanity and one shop after another. </span>I hate shopping! <span class="">Why anyone would come all the way to France to shop at the Gap, H & M or even Tiffanys is beyond me. There were </span><span class="">lots of overpriced cafes and bistros though, so I did stop and get an overpriced salad and pay 8 euros for a glass of tea. </span>As soon as I was done eating I started looking for a Metro station so I could make my way out of this place. <span class="">Every station was closed and there were guards at the top of the stairs. </span><span class="">I had no idea what was going on, I figured it had something to do with the security guard strike. </span><span class="">I kept walking and walking. </span><span class="">At the end of the Champs Elysee is the Arc de Triomphe. </span><span class="">I found out when I got there, that a big ceremony was going on. </span><span class="">The fire fighters were out in their fancy uniforms, the military band was playing and limos were dropping off important looking government officials. </span><span class="">I watched the festivities for a bit and then headed in the opposite direction of in hopes of finding an open Metro station. </span></span></div>
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<span class=""><span class="">Don't I look thrilled? </span>I was done! <span class="">The shopping had just about sent me over the edge! </span>Ha!</span></div>
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<span class="">Finding a Metro station turned out not to be so hard and I made it back to my flat by dinner time. I stopped and bought a roasted chicken and potatoes and by the time I got back I was good and hungry, not to mention tired. <span class="">I took a nap, ate some food, listened to the Friday night sounds of the neighborhood and am now ready for bed. </span>Tomorrow will definitely not involve shopping! </span></div>
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9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-64066162067935816582014-06-12T11:02:00.002-07:002014-06-12T11:02:59.099-07:00Exploring the CityToday began much later than I had planned. I woke up at 9:30 this morning! I can't remember the last time I've slept in that late. I made my way out the door as quickly as I could, anxious to start my day. I headed straight to the Louvre. I've been dying to get inside a museum and today was the day! <br />
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Eccos in the Louvre!</div>
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It was crowded of course and I really wanted to see the most famous paintings, but I decided to ease into the crowds slowly. I spent the first while hanging out with sculptures, enjoying the quiet, and soaking in the fact that I was inside the Louvre! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtAiATfuDQFBZc4EbMRXp1Jj4FakFknWxNnbFOh0bsNRPEPH7HPxAwvBWt1Lnvdm2WCHb40NAJ6dRAPxqAoMCQLBzemmhN_r4o9yuDfOu0oerlDM2H6c-yNjbJuZ2xd5fVxHaodez9ZQ/s1600/photo+3+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtAiATfuDQFBZc4EbMRXp1Jj4FakFknWxNnbFOh0bsNRPEPH7HPxAwvBWt1Lnvdm2WCHb40NAJ6dRAPxqAoMCQLBzemmhN_r4o9yuDfOu0oerlDM2H6c-yNjbJuZ2xd5fVxHaodez9ZQ/s1600/photo+3+(6).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="">Eventually I made my way to see Napoleon's apartment. Quite the apartment! Not a thing like the flat I've rented, but stunning none the less!</span><br />
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1l-Nl8OXlRIhyphenhyphenJNEEdnws2MtgUBp6V_Lg3IvlHp9LIi_9HS_eJn9ZEfm7HKTkLj84P_fuAvViceBFplZtOpMDJ1b8q7xsHFh2ngZFH3LYeeo8kGvKBg10BztUmoMKqlmJhTImoz1mWo/s1600/photo+1+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1l-Nl8OXlRIhyphenhyphenJNEEdnws2MtgUBp6V_Lg3IvlHp9LIi_9HS_eJn9ZEfm7HKTkLj84P_fuAvViceBFplZtOpMDJ1b8q7xsHFh2ngZFH3LYeeo8kGvKBg10BztUmoMKqlmJhTImoz1mWo/s1600/photo+1+%25287%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDEoraC3w3o8l5HgqTNyFnb0_5FyxR3seZTUflAdG6SsX8H8lmyuH_50MyM9nfCzbPPGKAiYgKBsRX3N_GHa6MxhxB2tFxcbvdKPsr9RLUEkfNgIHIoFGw20pU6cC9b5gqAwXN7hjBmg/s1600/photo+4+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDEoraC3w3o8l5HgqTNyFnb0_5FyxR3seZTUflAdG6SsX8H8lmyuH_50MyM9nfCzbPPGKAiYgKBsRX3N_GHa6MxhxB2tFxcbvdKPsr9RLUEkfNgIHIoFGw20pU6cC9b5gqAwXN7hjBmg/s1600/photo+4+%25282%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">Napoleon himself!</span></div>
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<span class="">It was finally time to head over to visit Mona Lisa. The crowds weren't going to get any smaller. </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2xJn8h6XPZTicnnQ1Bcwksb6xz3urz2-ngYoCpzWKhD-3QWUaj3n9Qq8zxEN2cAljeExRSgeulBceiMbzspw4tNJQNden4DsPh7VbCka0xO8hTCRE55e2P71W282FjFWeiEZaz7VwPo/s1600/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2xJn8h6XPZTicnnQ1Bcwksb6xz3urz2-ngYoCpzWKhD-3QWUaj3n9Qq8zxEN2cAljeExRSgeulBceiMbzspw4tNJQNden4DsPh7VbCka0xO8hTCRE55e2P71W282FjFWeiEZaz7VwPo/s1600/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">There she is! </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXkQRyGijyNYkJ_wS5VNS5MzPYEE9cYIZQVaUID15RyANqKi3B9lyA1sCizLXhjPuej1fxm_I24CrwSwxYaowDvMZSyVakr-ceSB7_-jmxs6TMxACcNAzN48NDN_5rQpEdUWri2_KWVw/s1600/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXkQRyGijyNYkJ_wS5VNS5MzPYEE9cYIZQVaUID15RyANqKi3B9lyA1sCizLXhjPuej1fxm_I24CrwSwxYaowDvMZSyVakr-ceSB7_-jmxs6TMxACcNAzN48NDN_5rQpEdUWri2_KWVw/s1600/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">We hung out for little bit and then I'd had enough of the crowds so I headed out of there as fast as my eccos would take me! </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXktgkroGQzaZXvTQAUKC26UfKa3oCScEyRAxIq4kUhX0lOu5G20oM2b-9S6Yiphm3zTu0oK-4NxYuCdZKLqV0kbwBBgM3ikTZQxhPqHmCVv6WsRMr6a1v54qG5boE3sYZ95VZZoZj8NQ/s1600/photo+2+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXktgkroGQzaZXvTQAUKC26UfKa3oCScEyRAxIq4kUhX0lOu5G20oM2b-9S6Yiphm3zTu0oK-4NxYuCdZKLqV0kbwBBgM3ikTZQxhPqHmCVv6WsRMr6a1v54qG5boE3sYZ95VZZoZj8NQ/s1600/photo+2+%25284%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">I saw lots of other things while at the Louvre and had a great time just wandering. I never looked at the map they gave me. Listened to the information on the Nintendo and enjoyed finding whatever was around the next corner. Hours later I made my way outside and decide what would come next. </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaiQn_Hoj9ttDB_k3sJFfwoYLi3rN3YziyCIEAaTDQwO4yk7BjPCMgqeXvmJYuGqsIaXNnQnE-ixAI0QiL-I_MneKhvoDsb5al3GUOLkh-EppdDNfZ2hlxqlf1JDayU6HamCA9zyIFwo/s1600/photo+1+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaiQn_Hoj9ttDB_k3sJFfwoYLi3rN3YziyCIEAaTDQwO4yk7BjPCMgqeXvmJYuGqsIaXNnQnE-ixAI0QiL-I_MneKhvoDsb5al3GUOLkh-EppdDNfZ2hlxqlf1JDayU6HamCA9zyIFwo/s1600/photo+1+%25286%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">Outside the Louvre. One of many fountains I saw today. </span></div>
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<span class="">I decided to wander through the gardens outside the Louvre and see if I could find the Musee de l'Orangerie where Monet's Water lillies have their own special rooms. I found it without a problem and enjoyed wandering through the museum. As I sat in the oval room where the water lillies take up most of the walls, the museum workers paced back and forth to make sure we were all silent and weren't taking pictures. They took their jobs and their art very seriously! While there, I saw works by Degas, Renoir, Manet and Cezanne. Amazing. Loved every minute.</span></div>
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<span class="">Time for lunch... It was almost 5 at this point and I had only eaten a nectarine for breakfast. I didn't even notice that I was hungry until I began walking past cafes. I stopped for some pasta and tea, then made my way to the Seine. I walked and walked. </span></div>
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<span class="">Pont du Alexandre III</span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY7fcxeZEzK5-cD4J2gqEQGkOgl6JqnQVTcCN6zVIKq0JdyLxxME6KRdLvRnT5uODr2W7UAj2hAOzxPOfi6H5BrsAfWDh-MF9xuAuep0mJ76KjlGmPkAaL6hfp0uMqASHLDKGGgKt3Es/s1600/photo+3+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY7fcxeZEzK5-cD4J2gqEQGkOgl6JqnQVTcCN6zVIKq0JdyLxxME6KRdLvRnT5uODr2W7UAj2hAOzxPOfi6H5BrsAfWDh-MF9xuAuep0mJ76KjlGmPkAaL6hfp0uMqASHLDKGGgKt3Es/s1600/photo+3+%25282%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">Eccos and the Seine</span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYrYdhjlaRlCAiXr_Di_65_7EgU6Xt7hF9-WhInInntFlI6j5F9FS1GwYvelzjLNs-g6zF8nGDph199vWXvaaMdRDH9dF4jthc55fKa0AEq4C6-dNcDkprF3rc_zjbOqjOi7YOi9_lJI/s1600/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYrYdhjlaRlCAiXr_Di_65_7EgU6Xt7hF9-WhInInntFlI6j5F9FS1GwYvelzjLNs-g6zF8nGDph199vWXvaaMdRDH9dF4jthc55fKa0AEq4C6-dNcDkprF3rc_zjbOqjOi7YOi9_lJI/s1600/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">These boys were playing a fun tether ball type game along the Seine. I was so busy watching them I tripped over my own feet and landed on my ass. They ran over to see if I was okay and helped me up. I laughed the whole time. It's the first of many falls I'm sure. I'm just clutsy like that. Ha! </span></div>
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<span class=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zpkvxhKLNlYnN4EFd8nEjAH7Stxs1iEVlzoMzGQ5ORmo6z89t6qC6acBOeUW957cqTg_orn_FKDZFDh_dIchkjWcZzVBVPpGsiyGW16wuOZLzkeWGsISMVzNvhROvmK5yzCR8ypwoEI/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zpkvxhKLNlYnN4EFd8nEjAH7Stxs1iEVlzoMzGQ5ORmo6z89t6qC6acBOeUW957cqTg_orn_FKDZFDh_dIchkjWcZzVBVPpGsiyGW16wuOZLzkeWGsISMVzNvhROvmK5yzCR8ypwoEI/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="">On my way back to the Metro, I saw this darling ice cream stand. I didn't stop and get any ice cream, but I couldn't help but take a picture. Maybe tomorrow I'll find it again and try some of the ice cream after all. </span></div>
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<span class="">What a lovely day in Paris. </span></div>
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9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-58080862343850181702014-06-11T04:14:00.001-07:002014-06-11T04:18:34.114-07:00I made it!<span class="">Two flights, ten hours of flying, and a four hour layover later, I made it to Paris! The flights were uneventful and easy. They both were ahead of schedule! That's a small miracle. Hopefully a sign of a great trip to come!</span><br />
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<span class="">After retrieving my bag, I headed out to get a taxi only to find out that the taxi drivers are on strike. </span><br />
<span class=""><span class="">After weighing my options - some creepy guy who wanted to charge me 100 Euros to drive me to my flat (uhhh....NO!) waiting an hour or two in hopes that a taxi would show up, or taking the train - I decided to take the train. Why not? What have I got to lose right? I made my way to the ticket area and found a nice woman in a red vest to help me figure out where to go. With limited English on her part, limited French on mine, a cell phone and a map, she figured out exactly what I should do, had me write it down (teaching me how to read the subway map in the process) and helped me purchase my ticket. There were may of these train workers milling about to help people - so great! I paid only 9.75 Euros for the ticket too. If I had taken a taxi, I would have paid a ton more money and probably would have had to sit in traffic. The train was the way to go for sure!</span></span><br />
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<span class=""><span class=""><span class="">I followed Ms. Red Vest's directions and ended up exactly where I needed to be! I made my way to the correct street and actually found the bakery where I needed to pick up the key to the flat. No one in the bakery spoke English and with lots of pantomiming, I managed to get a key. Okay, it was the wrong key, but it was a key! I made my way to the flat and someone happened to be going in the front door just as I go there. He helped me find the right flat despite not speaking a word of English. I quickly found out I had the wrong keys so back to the bakery I went. This time I got the correct keys and a baguette and made my way back to the apartment. Did I mention that I am dragging my suitcase and carry on through the bumpy, narrow streets for all of this? No one even looked surprised as I walked up and down the street with all this luggage. Ha! When I got to the apartment I realized that I didn't have the code to get in the front door! I was stuck outside with no way to get in. I waited a little while, left a message for the host, and waited some more. Finally the nice French guy who originally let me in, leaned out his window and noticed me. He ran down the stairs, let me in and gave me the code. He even helped me carry my bags up the narrow, wooden stairs to the flat. He helped me unlock the door and waved good bye. I had officially arrived! </span></span></span><br />
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<span class=""><span class=""><span class="">It's about four in the morning California time and about one in the afternoon Paris time. I've decided to lay low today, take a shower, go to the corner market and relax. Tomorrow I will begin to explore. Right now I'm just letting it all sink in that I am actually really and truly in Paris!</span></span></span><br />
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<span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><br /></span></span></span>9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123367768555839908.post-59025338488670580802014-06-01T16:02:00.000-07:002014-06-28T16:50:43.099-07:00Paris Here I Come!So I'm going to Paris...not Paris, Texas either. I'm going to Paris, France! I'm going all by myself and I couldn't be more excited! Here is the itinerary...<br />
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June 9th: leave for San Francisco<br />
June 10th: Fly to Paris<br />
June 11- June 25th <strike>July 2:</strike> wander, eat, sleep, read and wander some more<br />
<strike>July 3: Fly to San Francisco</strike><br />
<strike>July 4: head home to Chico</strike><br />
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Doesn't that sound perfect? I can't wait!<br />
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(edited due to Air Traffic Controller Strike)9isfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430382654252367312noreply@blogger.com0