Category: Travels

Up on the roof

Paris is nothing if not glittering with gold. I’ve read that the dome above Napoleon’s tomb has 26 pounds of gold leaf. If I have my Parisian geography right, the gold here is part of Opera Garnier. But don’t make any bets on my account. I can read a map and usually find my way around. But in Paris? Except for the evening when we got off the bus about a mile early, dear husband was a flawless navigator. I’d still be walking in circles trying to find our hotel if it weren’t for him.

Art meets the everyday ordinary

When I saw this operation at the Louvre Pyramid I wondered if I.M. Pei, the designer, had ever considered how the 673 panes of glass would be washed. I’ve since discovered, according to Wikipedia, that it was suggested that the structure include a spire to simplify window washing. Pei objected.

I guess if you’re a world class architect and have a cool vision you let someone else worry about these things. This looks like a tricky job.

Special Note: Celebrating Veteran’s Day today with thanks to the men and women who have served and are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. I’m grateful for their sacrifices, which are many, great, and often taken for granted.

Another Paris icon

Here’s another icon of the Paris experience, from a different perspective: the Pyramid at the Louvre. Designed by I.M. Pei, the Pyramid was added as an entrance to the Louvre Museum in 1989 to improve the flow of crowds entering the museum.

The Pyramid brightens and opens up an otherwise underground entrance to this enormous museum. Some people like it, others don’t. It certainly is a stark contrast in the palatial realm of the Louvre. Come back tomorrow for a different view of this unique structure.

Photographing an icon

Now you know: We went to Paris. The first stop was the Eiffel Tower, the most visited monument in the modern world. Not because we hadn’t seen it before but because we had not been up close and personal. And this time I had a camera that could take it in.

I’m guessing that most of the quarter billion people who’ve visited the Eiffel Tower have taken pictures of it. Judging by what we saw, the current favorite shot is of a happy tourist in front of it, caught jumping up with outstretched arms. I was happy to be there but decided to take a more traditional, dignified route. I knew I’d have enough embarrassment with my so-called French language skills without looking like I’d gone to Paris to play on a trampoline at the Eiffel Tower.

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Weekly Top Shot #108

Jetlag

Distance-wise, we took a pretty long trip. Time-wise, it seemed even longer. By my watch, we were up 24 hours from pillow to pillow as we headed home. I know people do it all the time, but I’m not used to it. I’m beginning to speak in whole sentences again and I’ve slept an entire night or two. Things are looking up.

“Hey, you wanna see my vacation pictures?” usually sets people’s teeth on edge. I took over 450 of them. But, really, I know you’re curious. I went away just so you could have a change of scenery. Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you where we went. We’ll have fun. I promise.