I really like these Paris walk cards. They take me to places I would never have ventured. Covered rue de la Huchette and all the back alleys. Chanced upon a sweet little cathedral at the back where thery were polishing the chairs. How I love the smell of varnish! And of course, no tourists, total silence.
And then came to "Shakespeare and Company", the book shop started by Walt Wiltman. Its a great back up option for me, second hand books being available for 4-5 euros. Just when I was about to enter, the bells started tolling at the Notre Dame, Chirac's cavalcade tried to cross the street and I saw a big black cat sitting at the table right in front giving me the up down look. Felt I had ventured into some magical land and was about to enter and buy myself a wishing wand....for lack of better option coming to mind, it could very well have been the wand shop from Harry Potter. Decided not to enter and break the spell.
The Arene de Lutece must have been spectacular in its heydays. What's left of it is too cleaned and whitewashed for me, doesnt have the historical touch. Especially when you go in picturing lions and gladiators and find a bunch of children playing with balls. Moreover, they broke off a large part to accomodate Rue de Monge. Saw the original structure at the Musee du Carnavalet. Where, by the way, it was interesting to see a replica of the Bastille made of the original stone.
When in France, you just dont seem to get enough of the royal family. They market the bloodiness. At the Place de la concorde, you can actually imagine where Louis XVI was guillotined and then closer to the Jardins des Tuilleries, where Marie Antoinette and the rest met Madame la Guillotine. At the museum, they had paintings of the Dauphin being taken away from Marie Antoinette and other such scenes. Quite heart rending. They have even preserved their hair...horrendous!!!
One of the cards took me to the Sorbonne. Would love to see it from the inside. Wonder if that is possible. There is a chapel where Cardinal Richelieu is buried. I'm not too interested in his politics but wanted to see it for the Three Musketeers. And on the subject of literature, the Maison de Victor Hugo had illustrations of his works, his bedroom (tried to feel like a genius in a borrowed environment, failed), letters written by him. His handwriting will make Tweedledum feel very happy.
In a different vein, its fun teaching La Petite Fille english. Love hearing her speak the words in a french accent. And for the first time, I can see the vagaries of the English language through foriegn eyes. The subtle difference between looked, surveyed, regarded...the difference in the sound of 'i' in words like in, it, tinned, possible and then wife, side, time.
Today, I am finally moving on with life, leaving behind Zidane's headbutt. He's still the best......and my ban of Italian pizza continues.......
And then came to "Shakespeare and Company", the book shop started by Walt Wiltman. Its a great back up option for me, second hand books being available for 4-5 euros. Just when I was about to enter, the bells started tolling at the Notre Dame, Chirac's cavalcade tried to cross the street and I saw a big black cat sitting at the table right in front giving me the up down look. Felt I had ventured into some magical land and was about to enter and buy myself a wishing wand....for lack of better option coming to mind, it could very well have been the wand shop from Harry Potter. Decided not to enter and break the spell.
The Arene de Lutece must have been spectacular in its heydays. What's left of it is too cleaned and whitewashed for me, doesnt have the historical touch. Especially when you go in picturing lions and gladiators and find a bunch of children playing with balls. Moreover, they broke off a large part to accomodate Rue de Monge. Saw the original structure at the Musee du Carnavalet. Where, by the way, it was interesting to see a replica of the Bastille made of the original stone.
When in France, you just dont seem to get enough of the royal family. They market the bloodiness. At the Place de la concorde, you can actually imagine where Louis XVI was guillotined and then closer to the Jardins des Tuilleries, where Marie Antoinette and the rest met Madame la Guillotine. At the museum, they had paintings of the Dauphin being taken away from Marie Antoinette and other such scenes. Quite heart rending. They have even preserved their hair...horrendous!!!
One of the cards took me to the Sorbonne. Would love to see it from the inside. Wonder if that is possible. There is a chapel where Cardinal Richelieu is buried. I'm not too interested in his politics but wanted to see it for the Three Musketeers. And on the subject of literature, the Maison de Victor Hugo had illustrations of his works, his bedroom (tried to feel like a genius in a borrowed environment, failed), letters written by him. His handwriting will make Tweedledum feel very happy.
In a different vein, its fun teaching La Petite Fille english. Love hearing her speak the words in a french accent. And for the first time, I can see the vagaries of the English language through foriegn eyes. The subtle difference between looked, surveyed, regarded...the difference in the sound of 'i' in words like in, it, tinned, possible and then wife, side, time.
Today, I am finally moving on with life, leaving behind Zidane's headbutt. He's still the best......and my ban of Italian pizza continues.......
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