My Last Day in Paris- For This Trip

What a great day! The sun was shining and a spent the morning in Monet's Garden. It was just perfect. The garden was alive with flowers, birds, bees and butterflies. The crowds were manageable and the water lily pond was alive. Last year when I was there it was raining. It is so much nicer in the sun.
Monet's home is open to the public. It is furnished with the original furnishings and one room has a collection of his paintings. There are family pictures around. You can go up stairs and look at the view of the garden from the bedroom. Unlike many of the famous painters, he seems to have had a stable life. Having been to Arles and learned about van Gogh and his shooting himself in the head at age 37, Monet's life was boring but filled with family and beauty.
Returning to Paris, i walked the streets of the Latin Quarter and St. German de Pres. It was filled with Parisian going about their daily routine. I stopped a coffee ($8.50) and just watched the people go by. Style in Paris is anything you have on. It was really amazing.
i had dinner in the Latin Quarter. It was a street filled with tourists as were the restaurants. It was by far the worst meal I have had. The Santorini Restaurant- Authentic French Cuisine. I should have known better. Oh Well!
I really could use another few days in Paris, but I am looking forward to London. You will hear form me there.

MONET'S GARDEN

 Book sellers along the Seine

 Entrance to the Metro

 Chatalet

 Latin Quarter

 Paris City Hall

 

Parting shot along the Seine

Jim Morrison, The Dorsay, Scams and Sore Feet

The thing about being in an apartment, the day often gets started later, but in Paris, that is OK. I had to take a round about way but I made it to Pere LaChaise Cemetery, Paris' largest. Here there are some notables buried and I spent some time paying my respects.
I began with the grave of Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors. (Light My Fired, for those who do not remember him.) I was here 20 years ago and they have cleaned it up considerably and there is no longer a 24 hour vigil. My next stop was Fredric Chopin, followed by Moliere, Yves Montand and Marcel Marceau. It is a fascinating cemetery with some interesting graves.
From here, I head to the D'Orsay museum. This is an old train station that has been turned into an impressionist museum. There is a whole floor dedicated to Monet, Renoir, Manet, Sisley, Pissarro and Cezanne. Although it was a great take in, I thing that the MFA can match its collection. This museum is nicely laid out be time period and it gives you a great deal of insight into how each painter grew over the years.
Leaving the D'Orsay, because my feet/foot could no longer take it, I stepped out on the main concourse to catch the Metro. All of a sudden, this guy bends down in front of me and get up and shows a gold band in his hand and say, "Look what I found. this is my lucky day. But you have it. It is solid gold." I said no thanks but he kept insisting that I have it. I suggested he give it to his church and give it to Jesus. This sent him over the edge and he threw his hands up  and began cursing me and left. Not less then 4 other people tried the same thing and I gave the same answer- Give it to Jesus. I got the same indignation each time. I am not sure what the scam is but I wasn't buying. I caught on to this one pretty fast.
Of course, the Metro was at least a mile away but it was good because I got to go past the Louvre and the Garden of the Tulleries. Both places were hubs of activity. I really like Paris. The people my seems abrupt but we have to remember that there are 9 million people living here. (and then add the tourists.) But unlike the rest of France, there is a "Joie de vie" that the people show in the cafes, the museums and on the streets at night. Not all the people on the plaza at the Notre Dame were tourists. many were locals enjoying their city. It is a really joyful and hopeful place to be . Each time I come, and this is my 4th trip, I just like it more and more.
Well enough of my rambling.

 Water fountain

 Light My Fire

 Marcel Marceau

 Different

 Moliere

 

 

Chopin

 View from the top of the D'Orsay

 The D'Orsay

 The Tulleries

The Louvre

I Finally Made it to Paris

Getting to Paris was effortless and mundane. Bus to the Avignon TGV station and a 2 1/2 hour train ride to Paris. Got my 3 day subway pass and here I am at 3 Rue Scipion in the Latin Quarter. My home away from home.
What I have not mentioned that I have been suffering from a little infection. Since fever had set in I decided I needed to do something, so I wen tot a pharmacie and asked for an antibiotic- no go. I needed to see a doctor. I went to see Dr. Valmalle. His office is on the 5th floor with no elevator. I went in and there were 6 people just sitting in chairs. When I entered everyone in unision said, "Bonjour". I greeted them and then asked if anyone spoke english. Thank God there was a woman who spoke perfect english. She said some people like herself had appointments and some were waiting for a different doctor. Dr. Valmalle is taking appointments until 5. Whoever is left will be who you will be waiting with. As it turned out, I was the first 'walk in".
He was ok. He was through and determined I had the infection but was in otherwise perfect health. He wrote my prescription and charged me 25 Euros and walked me to the door. I thought he was a pretty good doctor. I certainly felt better.
Now where else does a good Catholic boy go in Paris, right to Notre Dame. I must have 100 pictures and now I have 100 more. It was great. On the plaza, there was a woman playing violin and out behind was a group of students who put together a jazz band. The plaza was just bustling with people- families, kids, students, seniors from almost everywhere. It was so exciting.
Leaving the plaza and heading towards the Seine river, I bought a ticket tot he 8:30 river cruise. It was just starting to get dark and Paris was all lit up. There was a gentle breeze blowing and it was about 70 degrees. It was beautiful.
And now I am calling it a night. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Paris Scenes

 Charlemagne has a bird problem

It doesn't get better than this!