Sunday, May 18, 2014

Paris !!

What can possibly be said about this city that hasn't already been written for hundreds of years? Well, I won't try to compete, I'll just post my photos and write about my own experience and observations.

Pedro and I arrived at CDG and found our way to the Air France bus (confusingly called "Les Cars de Air France"), and headed to Paris and the Montparnasse train station. We were on a tight schedule, and of course there was Wednesday morning traffic; we arrived with about fifteen minutes to departure time (we were heading to Lourdes.)

We learned about the punctuality of French trains that morning. Yes, as we stood with our luggage in front of the open door of our train, attempting to get up the steps, a train official on the platform yelling "go-go-go!", an expressionless official on the train at the top of the steps doing and saying nothing, the bell sounded and the door closed, leaving us behind. It could have been much worse. If I had made it up those steps I'm certain the door would have closed leaving my partner on the platform. That would have been a disaster.

So, we got re-ticketed  for a train several hours later, relaxed (somewhat) at a café in the station, and arrived in Lourdes that evening. We stayed in an apartment-like residence, and in spite of the frequent rain, spent an enjoyable several days there. I guess the train issue and the rain were appropriate hurdles for such a pilgrimage. If you are not familiar with the story of (Saint) Bernadette Soubirous, watch "The Song of Bernadette", a lovely 1943 movie based on the book by Franz Werfel (the story of his life is quite amazing, too.)

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Lourdes


Lourdes France Grotto Saint Bernadette
Grotto of Saint Bernadette


Lourdes France Grotto Statue Virgin Mary
Statue of Virgin Mary


Lourdes France Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Lourdes France village
village of Lourdes, France


Lourdes France village street
street in village of Lourdes, France

Lourdes France village street
street in Lourdes, France


Lourdes France city hall
city hall, Lourdes


Lourdes France train station
train station at Lourdes, France



Friday, May 16, 2014

Paris starts here . . .


Paris France church St. Sulpice
Église St.-Sulpice


Paris France Pedro and camera with tripod
Pedro


Paris France Wallace drinking fountain
Wallace drinking fountain


Paris France church St. Sulpice
Église St.-Sulpice


Paris France street in St. Germain
oldest church on the right, famous cafés ahead at the crossroads (Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore)




Paris France oldest church St. Germain des Pres
Église St.-Germain-des-Prés (oldest church in Paris)



Kat in front of fountain at church, Paris
Kat (photo by Pedro)








Thursday, May 15, 2014

to the Seine - and other classic spots


Paris France colorful graffiti on wall
colorful graffiti


Paris France Laduree pastry shop
Ladurée pastry shop


Paris France Seine River with bridge
bridge over the Seine (with "locks of love" attached to the railings)


Paris France Notre Dame garden with Pedro
Pedro in the garden behind Notre-Dame


Paris France Ile St Louis street
Île St.-Louis


Paris France garden Place des Vosges in the Marais area
Place des Vosges, in the Marais area

Paris France in the Marais area
near Place des Vosges


















Wednesday, May 14, 2014

In the 6th arrondissement


Paris France metro station St Placide
one of our neighborhood metro stations, St.-Placide


Paris France metro station Rennes
metro station Rennes


Paris France glass building reflecting old building
reflective glass buildings, old reflected in new

Paris France glass building reflecting old building
more glass reflections

Paris France architecture glass street scene
gray sky and glass












Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Latin Quarter and St.-Germain

Paris France restaurant in the Latin Quarter
Breakfast in America, restaurant in the Latin Quarter (5th arr.)

Paris France Latin Quarter street scene
street in Latin Quarter

Paris France cobblestone street scene
classic cobblestone street


Paris France outdoor sculpture Rue du Four
crazy horse/man sculpture (Rue du Four, in the 6th arr.)


Paris France view from window rooftops clouds
view from our hotel window (in the 6th arr.)












Monday, May 12, 2014

evening stroll on Rue du Cherche Midi

Paris France restaurant red awning twilight blue sky
brasserie on Boulevard Raspail

Paris France large carved wood door
beautiful carved wood door with stone arch

Paris France restaurant and chef
chef in doorway, Rue du Cherche Midi

Paris France colorful restaurant twilight blue sky
red and blue in the night

Paris France strolling with dog
evening stroll with chien

Paris France small car for rent
French "Zip car"