Go to Versailles, they said. It’s amazing, they told us. The gardens are massive, the palace is gorgeous, and you won’t believe the decor, they promised. So, buying into the hype, we swung by our favorite little coffee shop, picked up some coffees and walking sandwiches, and descended to the working train station beneath theContinue reading “VerSigh”
Monthly Archives: January 2022
A Contemporary Palace and a Cabaret Institution
Burlesque, what a word. The way the q balances the swing up of the l, could have been four syllables, but they did it in two. The playful bounce of the b with the sexy hiss of the s into the q and the sneaky u and e that show up at the end butContinue reading “A Contemporary Palace and a Cabaret Institution”
An Architectural Iceberg and Ramen in Style
I have a certain pace when it comes to museums. Since we’re in France, I’d invite you to speculate upon the snail. Now imagine this snail has an audioguide, a size 14 foot, and a brain that oscillates between super distraction and hyper fixation. Now present that snail with colors. Lots of colors, in closeContinue reading “An Architectural Iceberg and Ramen in Style”
Finding the Art in Montmartre
Today was a tagalong day for me and a sentimental journey for Erickson. The gang divided fast at the start of the day. Scynthia and Gina were headed to the airport to straighten up some difficulties with Air France, Marianna wanted to settle in to her surroundings a bit more and clean the apartment, andContinue reading “Finding the Art in Montmartre”
Louvre and War in the Heart of Paris
Our late mornings offered us time to contemplate and assemble before bounding into the day. The slow morning shuffle for the shower and pulling on clothes was often punctuated by the speed and efficiency machine who operated as the motivational spearhead for the squad. Erickson more often than not would have croissants, both regular andContinue reading “Louvre and War in the Heart of Paris”
Luxembourg, Shakespeare, and the Frippes
A gray day calls for graveyards to some, and to others, gardens, life, and bubbling fountains. For two of the gang, the graveyards spoke louder than I, so happy to meet them at the garden, I had my walking espresso and a croissant and took a lovely solo twenty minute stroll to the Palais deContinue reading “Luxembourg, Shakespeare, and the Frippes”
Back to the Basilica
I couldn’t sleep. All night, I tossed and turned, knowing what was at the top of the Basilica but shrouded from us, because we had gone on an overcast day. What the heavens had held back from us. What lay just beyond our control, what lay just outside the realm of possibility. To clear theContinue reading “Back to the Basilica”
A Gray Day at The Sacred Heart Basilica
Overcast and chilly, we tried looking for a pick-me-up in comparing the weather to back home only to find it was a whole degree warmer in blustery Boston. Gearing up to face the day included layers on layers, a backpack, and a rough idea of making it to Montmarte. We wanted the HopOnHopOff Bus thatContinue reading “A Gray Day at The Sacred Heart Basilica”
A Trip Around the Tour d’Eiffel
The gang was excited to get back to the Eiffel Tower. As alluring as it was the night before, they held off on going up and in, with what can only be described as either internal fortitude or unfortunate operating hours. Regardless, we booked tickets for the HopOnHopOff bus tour and enjoyed the tidbits andContinue reading “A Trip Around the Tour d’Eiffel”
A Day at D’Orsay
Three floors, two restaurants, multiple breakaway exhibits, and hundreds of pieces later, I retreated from the cultural mecca feeling much like a man buried by his own ambitions. Hungrily I poured over every piece I could find, I sampled the Pre-Impressionists, The Post-Impressionists, the Japonismes, Symbolists, and Synthesists. I read Baudelaire and gawked at Rodin,Continue reading “A Day at D’Orsay”