Le Fun Le Flore en Paris
28/05/2009-29/05/2009
So we left this morning at 8AM sharp and arrived in Paris around 2 or 3PM. We slept the entire way because we knew Paris was going to “start” as soon as we got there. My initial reaction to Paris was “NEW YORK CITY! But with much more history, art, design, and general European flavor”. We were greeted with beautiful statues and monuments and herds of well-dressed people on foot, on bike, and scooters. After getting settled into a hotel room, our group set out for a stroll through the city. My words would certainly not do the city any justice, so I hope the pictures can at least make an honest attempt. We got to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. What a marvel it is that MAN, could build such an immense structure sooooo long ago. Across the street was an old fashioned carousel. I couldn’t resist and all the girls(Linda,Mary,Britney, and myself) hopped on for a ride. As we made our way back to the hotel, Dr. Stribling pointed out some of the main attractions, such as the bridges and art museums. Then we got a nice introduction to the metro system-quite possibly the king of all public transportation systems.I THOUGHT I could read a metro map because I’m familiar with the light-rail system(growing up in Baltimore). Well, I was wrong…and I was VERY confused. It would be a headache for me to explain the metro system in a blog but I will sum it up….many lines=many stops= different colors=could be RER=hurry hurry=go here, no wait, go there=get in before the door closes=this is our stop…I think=oh look, we’re here after all!
Our second day in Paris, the group headed to Sacre Coeur, one of the most recognizable churches in Paris. It sits at the top of a hill overlooking the city. It also slightly ressembles the Taj Mahal. As part of her class, Jessica made a presentation on the site. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but accented with beggars and souvenir hustlers. That was one of the first things are instructors warned us about. Thus, we kept our purses and bags close to us and an eye on strangers. After exploring the church, we walked around Montmartre- a neighborhood famous for it’s painters and singers, such as Edith Piaf, who would sing in the streets. Then, we got on the Metro and got off at the Saint Martin stop. A small group of us went to the Cluny Museum, the largest museum for the Middle Ages. My favorite part was La Dame et L’unicorne tapisserie= the lady and the unicorn tapestry. Luckily, we got to hear a curator discuss the tapestries to a group of school children. From what I understood, the five tapistries represent the five senses. There is alot of symbolism in the works which alludes to some mystery. The highlight came when my camera flash went off, and I got the dirty looks of a room full of French people. Afterwards, we visited Saint Chappelle and Notre Dame cathedral. St. Chappelle was the original cathedral that held the relics from the Passion(Jesus’ crown of thorns, nails, etc.). Furthermore, it is known for its stained glass windows which depict all the scenes from the Bible. The windows are enormous, so you just grab a chair, a guide that tells you how to read the windows, and just sit in awe. Compared to this, Notre Dame did not reach my expectations. I expected grandeur. However, the most compelling part of Notre Dame(besides its exterier, belltower,etc…); is its history. I did not know that Notre Dame was in danger of being condemned until Victor Huge saved it and hired men to make renovations. After taking a tour, I bought a rosary to have blessed for my co-worker. Jenny and I waited for about 45 minutes to see a priest-rehearsing our request in French. I feel guilty for wanting the person ahead of us to expedite his confession. We did not get to see the priest BUT he did meet a nice couple from Iowa. Finding Americans in these parts in not uncommon, but the feeling is similiar to finding a dress you adore but its not your size, and then by fluke you find the dress IN YOUR SIZE on a totally random rack. You give up hope, but then VOILA! We had a quick lunch and then walked over to the Louvre. Now here, words cannot do the most magnificent museum-justice. If your reading this blog, and you have not been…you need to go. What I do suggest is reading up on art beforehand. You will appreciate it so much. It will be like listening to the Beatles all your life and then finally getting to see them in person. I’m sure if I had done some more research, I may have cried like the Venus de Milo was Elvis.