A small walk through Paris

I had a short (only 3 hours) walk through Paris today. Most of the day I was traveling by train back from the Loire Vally so I only felt like a wee evening stroll. I ended up having a bit of a Jackle and Hyde type of stroll.

First I went up to the famous Sacre Coure on the top of the bohimian area of france. A district famous for its acceptence, love, joy, and Art. This massive white church on the hill has spectacular views, and is also lovely inside. Sadly they did not allow you to take any photos inside, and like all famous churches in Paris it was more of a tourist place than a holy place. However The walk up was worth it for the views of Paris and seeing all the artist on the steps painting in oils.

My second stop was to the Moulin Rouge. I did not go in, tickets to the girls show are 125.00. Yeah! Way out of my leage. But I did get a rather good tour of the red light district on the way. Ironicaly these two places are about 15 min apart by foot. I found that charming. I waw strolling with a charming girl from Germany who was pointing out all the cool attractions in a young bright bouncy kinda way. I felt old, and a little behind the times when she had to explain the appeal of so many of them too me.

For exapmle the Musee' de Sexual Historie, I wasnt to sure how any one would know the historical origins of sex. "Once apon a time a cave man hit a cave woman on the head with a stick, then he drug limp body her into the bushes. Then there were more little cave men and cave women...." I mean honestly? Apparently the museum is all about the development of sexual artifacts, toys, and the transitions of sexual trends through out the ages. huh?!?! Of course there was also the live sex show attractions. I thought this would be strippers or the like, but oh contrare! It is a show where you can pay to watch two people have sex on the stage live in front of you, for a mere 40.00 quid!!! Not sure why any one would want to watch this but it seems to be popular as there was a que to get tickets. I had to ask in my nieve way how long the show would last because I would be upset it I paid 40.00 and the guy only made it 8 min. Apparently its a full 2 hour show. Man alive that must be one fit couple. I do hope they move around and try different possisions. How dull watching someone in misionary posistion for 2 hours going at it. I dont know maybe Im not enlightened enough. he he he

Untill next time Lots of love to every one.

The Louvre 1 of many

The Lourve is far far too big for one post, and I took too many pictures to possibly load up. So I am going to split it into lots of tiny posts through out my trip. As an overal, The Louve is massive, and my feet were very soar after 7 hours of active walking around. I found that the gallerys dispalying the art were often art themselfs in their design and layout. The map is confusing, but the crowds were not bad at all, so go in Feb.

Because it was Mom's birthday this week the picture for the day is an odd one. Not one you would expect to see starting the Louve series! These Chairs are masterfuly upulstered. They are from the appartments of Napeloen B the 1st . The yellow fabric on the back of the chair is all one peice. The swag at the top is made by lots and lots of tiny tucks holding it in place but it is not an additional peice of fabric over the top, its all the same. And it lays so softly. The bottoms of the Chairs have a delecate little skirting adding a bit of grace and grandure to the chair. More than that there was a whole row of Chairs. Squeeee!
And to go with the whole row of lovley Chairs today I think I will throw in a gold, and cut glass Vanity table. Also found in Napolians apartments, it was stunning and lovely but I would be concerned sitting in a Chair with glass legs. However these items caught my eye and made me think of my mom. The one who taught me to sit like a lady, wear makeup like a lady, and appriciate when your being well kept.

Lots of Love to every one.

Time Warp 1 week Back to Blois

Ok so I am now offically one week behind on my online journaling and I think its starting to affect my sanity. The first week was so lovely and touristy the second has been lonely and stressfull. So Im taking over and getting back on track. Starting with my lovely tour of the Chataeu in Blois.

Some of the Renisance style masonry was almost cartoonish. The had a lovely little musee' of all the peices that had been removed from the Chataeu but kept for historical value. This was once a drain gutter, or gargoyl if you will. The Chataue was small comparied to other royal palaces but still the size of a large stately home. It was like a summer Chataeu for the Royal Family. Catherin De Medichi died in her bed in this palace. Personaly for me the painted walls and matching bed linen was all a bit too much pattern.

Like all Royal things every detail was perfect, they spared no expence, even thier musical instruments were ornate. I was also personally fasinated by the Kings private study that had secreat cupboards bult in them. Later in the Chateau's history Queen Margot used these cupboards for storing her poisons, and herbs. (why they didnt think she was a witch I dont know)

The Chateau was quiet, the staff very friendly and welcoming. It was entirely open to the public, and often a bit of a confusing maze as a result. I saw several rooms twice because I would get lost or go through the wrong secret stair case and have to back track. However it was nice to get to see every thing the Chateau had to offer. I was supprised how different the Renisance style was from the Reformation period. This Chateau was more mediaval in feel, dark dramatic colours, and heavy woods. By the time the Royal family in France took up residence in Versails the style was light and fresh. Gold, delecate design with pastel colours and the typical French country feel. It was a lovely contrast to see and the development of the French Royal style.

If I sound like an interior decorator that would be my moms fault! he he he :)

Love you and Miss you all.

Im safe in Barcelona

No post for today. Its not that I dont have a lot to say about my interesting overnight stay in Perpiniea France, or the philisophical train ride to Barcelona. I would love to post pictures of the Louvre for you, or tell you about the lost day I didnt get to have in Barcelona. However I havent had two min to think, pee, or eat, let alone post any thing. However I am here in my stunningly quiet hostel in Barcelona so dont fret Im safe.

Lots of Love
xxx

Blois day 2 and then back to Paris

Sadly today will be picture free as I am in a cafe with out my laptop. Its a shame because I have lots of beautiful shots of the Chateau in Blois. Also worth a note, French keboards are totally backwards!!!!

However I have had a good day so no complaints. I slept peacfully in a double bed, then started off this morning for the Chateau Royal in Blois. Apparently the same one that Catherin De Medichi died in, and Queen Margot use to hide her poisons. The Chateau was older, and more medival in feeling but still full of splendor. The walls were covered in canvas then painted with brilliant patterns and colours. Cool at first but a little dizzying after a while. I will try to post some pictures for you tomorrow.

After the Chateau I made my way to the train station and took a leasurly slow train ride back to Paris. Im in a different hostel as the other one is full for the weekend. The new hostel leaves a lot to be desired, in fact it is one of the dodgy-est places I have ever been. However my new german roommate is very very lovely. She took me on a tour of the Sacre Cur, Monmart, and past the Moulin Rouge. We are cooking together and generaly it was nice to follow someones lead for a wee moment of peace. I didnt have to worry about the directions, what to cook for diner, or any thing. So it kinda felt like a day off.

However tomorrow is a different story, tomorrow I finish my Paris tour with the entire Louve in 1 day!!!!! Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnn! Im sure my feet will be soar, but it will be worth it. I am missing every one and send my Love and good wishes.

Blois (prunounced like Blwa)

WOW! Today may be a short post cause I didn really do much but wonder around but by far its my favorite!!!!! This tiny little town is every thing I was looking for when I came to see the world. Its a new experience, unique, friendly, historical, charming, inviting, breathtaking, oh wow I just cant describe it to justice. So the tiny town is about 15 min from one side to the other (If and only IF you dont get lost). I was given a map by the lovely man at the hotel with 3 english words but I didnt feel the need to use it once. Today I felt safe and was happy to be lost. First Im the only one in the hotel, so my breakfast will be brought to my room so they dont have to open or clean the dining room, and second I got a room upgrade free of charge! Squeee. The locals here are much more friendly and welcome the chance to learn english. However so far I have heard about 4 english words and I have spoken to about 6 people. But they gesticulate like the Italians and smile so so big that you dont feel guilty at all for not understanding them. In Paris I always spoke english with a bit of an apology behind it, here they love it. They are also much more willing to help you learn french, but Im not sure the phrase I was taught was right, however niether here nor there.

The streets are less wide than ally ways, and they do like to twist and turn. They also love to go up hills and then down them again. No joke, we arent talking hills like Edinburgh, or San Fran. But rather they couldnt be bothered to move that mound of dirt, so the road goes up 4 feet, then down 4 feet. Its not speed mesures either because they are all different shapes and sizes, unmarked, and the pavements follow the same pattern. This happens all over the place. The buildings do it to. The buildings are wooden tudor, and ever so slighty squint or kattywhampus. The churches are freezing cold and massive. Also very old. This one on the left is from the 11 hundreds. The weather was nice so I just wondered. Every time I saw a cool street I would turn down it. I continued this way for almost 3 hours. Stoping to see what was cool, and walking slightly ahead of myself becuase my curiosity was stronger than my patience or lethargy.

I also decided to indulge myself and I bought a chocolate eclaire. I sat in a park eating my ecliare, pausing in between bites to giggle cause it was soooo good I felt slightly naughty for having one, and gazing out over this river that has no name as far as I could find.

Through out this trip I have been troubled by several things that I cant shake; time to fit every thing in, remembering to relax, getting lost and thereby frightened, worried about cash flow and spending allowences, my inability to comunicate effectivly or express myself in a lanuadge they understand. Today I felt none of that. I gave myself the day off from sight seeing so I didnt worry about my time. I wondered not wanting to look at a map but actually enjoying not knowing where I was going. I took 3 hours to stroll, meandor, and take deep breaths so I am much more relaxed and hopefully with sleep as a result. I spent money on a totally endulgent eclaire and didnt pause for a second about weather or not I REALLY wanted one or weather I would have wished I saved the money later. And finally I wasnt afraid to say I dont understand, or gesture wildly like a mime on drugs cause the people were so friendly.

I am going up to the Grand Chateau tomorrow, and then Im gonna try and take some time to find out why Blois has been so successful. I hope I can re-create it cause this is what a trip around the world should be.

My very own Versailles

Well its a love hate relationship. For some people versailles was a palace for some a prison, for others it meant their starvation, and for the rich their sanctuary, currently its a place where people walk around in awe. Well I think I experienced all these aspects of the palace today and the gambit of emotions that go with them. It was beautiful, opulent, perhaps exesive just like one would expect. The grandure of gold, and ornate decoration was like non other that I have ever seen. But I was sadend to realise that even I couldnt live there with out feeling like it was excessive. I felt guilty for the starving beggars still at its gates today as I paid 15 euros just to see all the gold, and yet felt too poor to offer them a penny. So I cant imagine how terrible I would feel if it were my home. Basically I became maniacally depressed to discover that should the French government offer me a residence in the grand palace I would feel obligated to turn it down. This realisation was earth shattering. It totally conflicts with my princess complex.

The second thing I did not like were all the rules and regulations, you may not see this room, you must go through that one, You may only wonder around this room in a clockwise direction, and that one is circulated counterclockwise. I felt angry at the palace and the staff for their pretentious cattle herding. I understand that in the summer it may be so busy that these measures are nessicary, but today they just felt cruel. I kept thinking to myself "who do they think they are?" Then a small voice in my head answered, "Versailles", and therefore they have the right. I guess that is why the palace was built in the first place, it was made to think that its word was law. Every thing about the palace history was made with the thought "I will be cause I can", so I had to forgive the palace for its absurdity, because it didnt know any other way to be. As for the staff, maybe working in such a regal place goes to your head after a while. Therfore I was amazed, then guilted, then imprissioned, then accepting all in the 1st 5 minuets of being there. What did I learn about home today? If you want something decorated, hire the French. There is a point when to much luxury becomes a prison. And santuary for me is relational to light, and noise volume!

Now that the spiritual stuff is over I have to say Versailles was so unbelivably like a dream come true, and it would be perfect if even the beggers could have lived there, god knows there is enough room.

The bed chambers are stunning, and pretentious. Mom I took pictures of the fabric wall paper and gold embrodery trim just for you. The gaurd in the corner was giving me the strangest look, then he said "you missed the painting AND the fireplace." The ceilings are all painted and its magnificent. I have such a sore neck from walking around looking up.



The hall of mirrors is far cooler than most people realise. At first glance it looks like a lot of crystal and light bouncing around. One wall is floor to ceiling windows, the other all mirrored panels. In the middle hundreds of chandeliers dripping with crystal. the effect is magical. But what I found magical was that the mirrors were doors and when I asked what was behind the doors the guide reacted very supprised and told me I had already seen the rooms on the tour, but not many people realise the mirrors actually open. After carefull thought and a good look at the map I realised it was the King and Queens bedrooms and anti chambers. So in the morning they could wake up to this view.

The sad part was that so much of it is closed in the off season. So I did not get to see the opera/ballet house, or the grand chappel. I was gutted!!!! Much of the gardens were closed for planting too, so I was depressed, but what I saw took my breath away, and my feet are very soar so I dont think I could have walked more if there was more to have walked. I liked the gardens almost more than the palace not that I was suprised by this. They were practiacally empty and very peicefull. Some of the bast landscaping and water features I have ever seen. I took more pictures in the first 4 hours at the palace than I have in all of Paris. My battery was fully charged and ready for the day and it died after 4 hours of constant use. So I will have to share the rest with you at some point, these are just a taster.

Overall I had an amazing day, peacfull at moments and in other moments a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Although I felt kinda sad when leaving because I have been waiting my whole life to see that place and now I had. My dream had come true and then I was leaving and may never see it again. I am not sure what to do with the knolledge that I have realised my dream, now what?