As we enter the catacombs, far beneath the streets of Paris, we are warned that this city belongs to the dead. Beginning in the 1700's the bones of six million people were re-located to underground quarries to alleviate the overcrowding of Paris cemeteries. Somewhat creepy, yet somehow respectful, the bones are artistically piled. Gravestones indicate each section's cemetery of origin and plaques with some uplifting, and some not so uplifting, quotes are scattered on the walls. It is fair to say we have never experienced anything quite like this before.
In case you are worried we spent our entire day underground, we must confess we had a TO DIE FOR tarte au citron from Angelina's. Living and loving the City of Light. You are Always in My Prayers. Love Mom.
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The French word for window-shopping (faire du lèche-vitrines) is literally window-licking. Well, that is about all we could do on the Champs-Élysées, as the prices are very up-scale. We did acquire two items:
#1 Dad got a bag from the Louis Vitton flagship store😄 Don't get too excited--he noticed that they had a sales representative standing at the door placing your wet umbrella in a special machine that dried and bagged it. So, Dad being Dad, went in so he could say he "got a bag from Louis Vitton's". #2 We bought four macarons at Ladurée. The licorice was a mistake--the pistachio was yummy. They didn't make it home to the apartment. Along with our magical morning with Monet's murals at the Musée de l'Orangerie, this all added up to another unique (albeit rainy) day in Paris. Living and Loving the City of Light. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. P.S. Sad, but true, there is a McDonalds on the Champs-Élysées I made a new friend half way up the 420 steps to the top of Notre Dame. I love Sunday in Paris.
Living and Loving the City of Lights. You are Always in my Prayers. Mom.
Is that the Phantom or Dad--hard to tell🤔
Third visit to the Louvre today--the membership is really paying off. In fact so are the European art courses you kids bought for us. Today was 14th to 17th century French art. Dad loves Poussin's seasons. You know what else Dad likes--a bargain. So, last night's free Organ recital at Eglise St Eustache was ++ Of course, not everything we are doing is quite so cerebral. I'm still on a sugar high from the hot chocolate from Angelina's (which is definitely not a bargain). Honestly, it is like drinking a bar of melted dark chocolate with whipped cream on top! Watching the Parisian who brought her dog into the restaurant in her purse and sat it up at the table was worth the upscale prices😄 Biggest challenge of the day: figuring out our apartment's recycling rules that were written in French. Loving and living The City of Lights. You are Always in my Prayers. Mom. Poussin's Seasons from The Louvre with Debussy from St. Eustache
Dad talks about his Marathon:
Why Paris? I had never done a marathon before. I usually do halves. We knew we wanted to spend April in Paris and the Marathon was on--so it was like two dreams in one. Why not? Coolest thing you ran by? It's Paris so everything you run by is cool. Part of the race is right along the Seine. But if had to pick, I would say the Eiffel Tower. I was just coming out of a tunnel (feeling kind of low) and there it was. It really lifted my spirits. How is it different than the Toronto Scotia runs? It is much bigger. Over 57000 signed up and 49000 participated. You run through some very long tunnels and at certain spots there are Firemen spraying participants to with water. Also, a lot more people being taken away in ambulances. The most unusual thing for me was the crowd yelling "Allez, Allez Allez, Ray-Mow" They had to yell that a lot😄 Lowest point? During the race it was sitting on a bench gagging on an energy bar. Post race would have to be almost passing out on the subway and retching on the subway floor. So, a few not so attractive moments. Paris is the food capital--do they give out good treats? A lot of the treats are more natural. Instead of energy drinks they give out bottled water and sugar cubes. Oh, and lots of fresh and dried fruits. Overall? It was longer (42.195 km) and tougher than I expected...oh, and warmer. But I MADE IT! |
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Ray & Diane
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