Louvre

On the way to the Louvre. I didn't go in the Louvre. I was kind of done with museums. Now you could say I went to Rodin and Musee d'Orsay, but I also took a short nap in the Musee d'Orsay to keep going. I get tired with museums after awhile. I was set after Villa Borghese. I didn't need to go to anymore museums. My favorite thing was to wander the streets.


The Paris officials HATE this I am told. Once a year or twice they come to cut all these off.


They just want their love to last.


On the way to the Louvre.


There it is with the famous pyramids. The artist who created them told the Paris people that they wouldn't be seen. The sides were suppose to be sheets of glass, but it is not stable so that is why they have the diamond shape with the black metal border.


I know the secret entrance to the Louvre without a long line. If you go there let me know.


Me.


Me doing some dorky movement...no I was not falling off. The blocks are there for your photo opt with the pyramids.


Favorite sign. If anyone can do this let me know. I only know of one.


Walking on water not allowed.


Bye-bye Louvre

Rodin

There wasn't anyone in line. You can get a combo pass to the Rodin and Musee d'Orsay for 12 euros. When you do that you skip a HUGE line at the Musee d'Orsay.


Rodin is famous for the 'Thinking man'


This door I remember studying, but you don't see how it comes out. The next pictures show what I mean.




Very dramatic door.


I thought this one was interesting with the mixed finished marble and the not finish and they only way to see it in the round is to have the mirror behind it. It is called "The Hand of God or The Creation"


"The Waltz"


A view out into the gardens. There were statues outside and inside. This is what I imagine very french looks like. I don't know it just is.

La Defense to Arch de Trimuph

Someone had told my about La defense and how it is modern and not a lot of people go there. I was like ok lets go and make a long walking day. Whoo was it long.


Some modern, hmm can you guess why I have a thumbs up in this picture?



It was quite huge.


There was also the modern take of the Arch de Triumph.


Slightly zoomed in is the Arch de Triumph. I am walking there.


Look back at the modern arch.


Some art as you walk toward the Arch de Triumph.


Here is the true distance to the Arch de Triumph. It is a little ways away.


Made it. Due to the traffic I was wondering how to get closer. Luckily there is an underground tunnel. For 9.50 euros you can go to the top. I was cheap so I went around it and headed off.


Look at the modern arch.


walking away.


Thought this was an interesting building. It is like someone Photoshopped it out.


I took a free walking tour again. This on a more cloud rainy day looking at the Arch de Triumph.


I'm here.

Arrival in Paris

On the train from Rome to Paris, like most trains I took to new country, I would say to myself I can do this. One step in front of the other. I did get some sleep on the train, but still tired. I got of the train and tried to find the way to the subway. A good sign is to follow the other lots of people. I got tripped up with the tickets, but figured it out the next day. I got in the metro and on my way to my hostel in the Montmartre (mon-mart-tra I just call it the mo-mart). When I arrived it was a bit early to get a room so I watched the end of the Royal wedding on a huge flat screen TV. They had left over croissants and bread from breakfast which was free to take.

I made it up to a room at some point and decided I needed to do laundry. I only had big euro amounts, so I tried to get change at reception, but they didn't have anything. I then had to go to the grocery store. They told me it was ok that they you could buy a small something and they would break the 50 I had. I when to the store and got a few food items like a tomato, kleenex, and wine I believe(maybe that was later). I then headed off to do laundry. It was located right by my hostel, but even the pictures weren't helping me figure out how to get soap, how to make the machine work. I asked the only 2 people in there if thy spoke English, luckily they did. I asked them how to get the soap and laundry working. There was a central box you feed your money into and press numbers. Ahhh. Yeah I had clean clothes, yet again.

I loved the Montmartre area and helped me in the coming days when I became irritated with people bugging me to sign papers or want my wrist to make a bracelet on it. I just wanted to enjoy and be left alone. I stayed close to my hostel for most of the trip, but I did take some pictures. Here are a few from Montmartre area.


Art Nouveau subway exit.


Just down from my hostel is the Moulin Rouge. I didn't have a desire to go and after I found out the price I couldn't go. It is 90 euros for the show and 190 euros (rough number) for food and champagne.


The art area up in the Sacre Coeur, there were some scammers(bad artists and outrageously expensive), but also some truly great artists with reasonable prices. Here are a few.


This is the 1 of the paintings I bought from him. He was very nice, gave me a slight discount for 2 paintings, which I love. They remind me of the Paris I loved.


Another artist who was friends with the one above. They were friendly and laughed at my hand because I had written things on it. Also like his work.


Some street view from Sacre Coeur to my hostel






I had to get up early for something and took some shots.


Here is the Moulin at night.

Venice

These are a mixture of my two visits here. This is what I think of Venice and not really 1, 2, 3.

Out of the train station there is water.


I'm here.


Small streets, my favorite. If you don't particularly like getting lost a little don't ever come to Venice. The fun is getting lost and finding fun things, small shops, reversing and trying again.


Rialto(sp?) bridge. Many days were here. I found a Venice mask in my price range on this bridge and there is a cheap eat up and over the the left and downs a ways. There is a slice of cheese pizza, a soda, and a ice cream for 5 euros.


Me in San Marco square-ish. (one part of it anyways)


My gondola driver.


Interesting way to see the city.


In front of my hostel (second visit) looking at San Marco square...I was soo excited that I called both my parents and told them how COOL it was...I was sooo excited.


From a boat ride to a stop near San Marco square.


There are lions everywhere a sign for Saint Mark.


I went in here and zig-zag'd around...it was cool.


Final day, kind of catching up on my journal. I was relaxing because I had a headache. I fell asleep here for a bit and listened to the water and boats.


From the top of the tower, you could see every thing, but cold and windy...whoo was it windy.


Another view.


Gondolas at rest off of the San Marco square.

I liked Venice, but you have to be okay with waiting for boats all the time. Not that they are not there every few minutes, but you have to get on a boat to go somewhere sometimes because you can't walk on water.

Now I am official done with Italy. After my second trip to Venice, I went back to Rome for the night, then went to the Borghese Gallery and packed up and headed to a night train to Paris from Rome. I was in second class , which means 6 beds. It was not bad, but I worried because most spoke French in my cabin and I was lot okay whole another set of rules and learning "paul-eee-voo on-glaze" My way of saying "Do you speak English?" in french. Paris here I come.