I took all 3 of these pictures tonight. Pretty incredible, huh? The French flag is now hanging at the Arc de Triomphe...not sure the significance? And to stand below the Eiffel Tower at night is awesome...the base of it is ENORMOUS and the lights are so pretty. The top photo was one I took when the lights started twinkling and we'd already started to walk away...so next time I'll stay later and take closer pics of the Eiffel when it's twinkling. So pretty!!
Today Kristi and I saw the movie Hairspray at a theater on the Champs-Elysees! That was really fun, because 1) it's a really great movie that made us laugh and smile for 2 hours straight, and 2) it was cool to experience a French movie theater...and because it was a movie in English, I ALMOST forgot I was in France for those 2 hours...there were French subtitles, so I did look at those sometimes to see how they interpreted the film in French, but honestly I was happy to forget about 'thinking' and just listen and watch in English. The movie was great....and clever me spotted the 'original Tracy Turnblad', a.k.a. Rikki Lake! She has a cameo in the movie as an 'agent' in the studio audience at the end of the film. That was exciting to see her, and I'm pretty sure none of the French people picked up on that. The audience in the theater laughed and clearly enjoyed the film....which was just interesting because it's a totally American film, yet so popular (as are many American films and actors) in France. Anyways...
Today just happened to be the first day of beautiful SUMMER weather in Paris also! It's been very gloomy and rainy all summer, and not warm...but today it was about 75 degrees and clear blue skies. It was great. Kristi and I got off at the Gare St. Lazare and our first stop was a Starbucks, a place I haven't been to in about 8 weeks! I had a typical Carmel Machiatto, and it was fun to see all the students upstairs in the loft of Starbucks...just a little American feel. Then we ventured out onto the streets to walk...St. Lazare and Hausmann Street, and the Opera, are somewhat familiar areas to me, so today we didn't go to any new places for me. Which was fine, because we both agreed we wanted a less 'touristy' day and just to meander through the streets, shops and cafes. We found the Rue Caumartin, which I remembed from my first week w/mom and Harry....it's a great sidestreet off Hausmann with fun kiosks and shops. We then took the metro to Charles de Gaulle station, right next to the Arc de Triomphe and walked awhile on the Champs Elysees...Kristi bought some perfume, and we had a drink at my favorite cafe, Le Deauville. I ordered a martini and she had Kir...both under 5 Euro, which is really good. And my martini was FABULOUS, and reminded me of a drink I'd order at McCullen's in Lewiston! I'll have to remember to get that again next time I'm there. Then we went to the movie...then hopped the metro to the EIFFEL TOWER and saw it all lit up with the lights...It was gorgeous! We sat for awhile and took pictures and people watched, then decided it was time to find the train back to Bougival. Just as we were leaving the Eiffel @ 10:45, the twinkling lights came on! So we took a few more pics and then had to hurry to catch the metro. It was a really relaxing day, just the right amount of walking and metro action.
I'm happy to be back in the studio for some quiet alone time, upload some photos and write in my journal, read a book and sleep in tomorrow. I may go to a museum tomorrow for the afternoon, but it's possible I'll stay in Bougival, go for a run and do some exploration of the town and get more used to the neighborhood streets so I know my way around for when I drive....we'll see. I may have the urge to venture back for an afternoon of the Picasso exhibit at Musee D'Orsay. If not, next weekend! So much time to see it all, so I'm not stressed about time and venues.
I am also going to figure out how to process my first 60 minute video tape I've made...and then see if I can get a small clip online to show everyone!
Okay....write more tomorrow. Love and miss all you guys.
Megan, I got the Sound of Music postcard! Merci!
Mom, I got the card and photos!
Carolyn, I got the package w/coloring items, gum, cards and chocolate. Merci!
1 comment:
We saw the Picasso exhibit at the Orsay, but it was sooo packed with people that sometimes we couldn't move for 30 seconds. We went mid-morning, but I heard by late afternoon the crowds usually have dissipated. Good luck! It sounds like you had a great day, which makes me happy. :)
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