Home again, again.
Paris was lovely and nostalgia has already set it. I apologize right now for peppering all my conversations for the next six months with, "well, when I was in Paris last..." I'm sorry; I can't help it.
Highlights: Chartres, the Cluny museum, the objets d'art section of the Louvre (especially the tapestries), having our portraits done, skipping down the stairs along the quays with ice cream and giggling, the Django Reinhartdt band playing on the bridge, teaching her how to wear makeup, pain suisse.
We delved far more deeply into the medieval history of France on this trip, leading up to the Renaissance, which was very satisfying. I was reminded that it was the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans that triggered the Renaissance and suddenly found evidence of Byzantine design in everything dating later than 1500. Also, at Chartres, preparations were being made for Assumption Day. It was cool and cloudy when we arrived, and the cool interior, organ music, offeratory candles and darkness helped to really cement the idea of spiritual mysticism that inspired the art from this time period. It was lovely.
It was also nice to know our way around and what we wanted to see and do a little better. The only thing that displeased me was that we didn't have such a dreamy view from our hotel room. Because we would be out walking for 6-8 hours each day, we tended to head in early to rest. The lack of view meant that we watched more TV than I would have liked, but as she pointed out, it was French TV.
The only downsides to our trip were an unpleasant run in with a couple of street hustlers who tried to intimidate us into giving them money and the bad poke in the eye that I received on the way home.
I think I may be done with Paris as a complete destination. While I would always be content to visit, I think I am ready to branch out into the French countryside and travel to other places. My old friend assures me that this is the same trajectory that her own traveling life has followed and suggests the next trip be Mont St. Michel, Normandy, Bayeux and the Loire valley. I think that sounds just right. Four years?
Paris was lovely and nostalgia has already set it. I apologize right now for peppering all my conversations for the next six months with, "well, when I was in Paris last..." I'm sorry; I can't help it.
Highlights: Chartres, the Cluny museum, the objets d'art section of the Louvre (especially the tapestries), having our portraits done, skipping down the stairs along the quays with ice cream and giggling, the Django Reinhartdt band playing on the bridge, teaching her how to wear makeup, pain suisse.
We delved far more deeply into the medieval history of France on this trip, leading up to the Renaissance, which was very satisfying. I was reminded that it was the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans that triggered the Renaissance and suddenly found evidence of Byzantine design in everything dating later than 1500. Also, at Chartres, preparations were being made for Assumption Day. It was cool and cloudy when we arrived, and the cool interior, organ music, offeratory candles and darkness helped to really cement the idea of spiritual mysticism that inspired the art from this time period. It was lovely.
It was also nice to know our way around and what we wanted to see and do a little better. The only thing that displeased me was that we didn't have such a dreamy view from our hotel room. Because we would be out walking for 6-8 hours each day, we tended to head in early to rest. The lack of view meant that we watched more TV than I would have liked, but as she pointed out, it was French TV.
The only downsides to our trip were an unpleasant run in with a couple of street hustlers who tried to intimidate us into giving them money and the bad poke in the eye that I received on the way home.
I think I may be done with Paris as a complete destination. While I would always be content to visit, I think I am ready to branch out into the French countryside and travel to other places. My old friend assures me that this is the same trajectory that her own traveling life has followed and suggests the next trip be Mont St. Michel, Normandy, Bayeux and the Loire valley. I think that sounds just right. Four years?
posted by csg | 8:41 PM
1 Comments:
No, and I am hoping that it doesn't become a regular occurance.
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