So I realized on Day 1 that we just had to make certain decisions about what we were going to see. There is only so much we can do in 4 days (actually 3 full days). It was hard to cut things out.
Today we decided to go to Norte Dame. Our concierge advised us to go by train but we decided to go by bus so we could see as much of the city as possible. We took our bus 84 to the Panthéon, and the plan was to walk to Norte Dame which is only few blocks away.
The Pantheon was a very nice surprise. It is hard to comprehend on what a large scale these building are made. The ornate details and decorations are endless...there are so many special little pieces to pick out in your mind and remember. I seem to like the angels and cupids the most.
So this is the Pantheon. It is so incredibly huge. See how tiny the people look next to it?
Look at her staring down at all those who enter...
The doors in general in this city were so beautiful. I am a sucker for antique doors.
The natural lighting in these places is just amazing. Even with all the details and architecture you don't feel suffocated at all..there is so much space here. When I am in places like this, I can't help but to imagine all the people who were here before me. Especially in churches, the weddings and ceremonies and prayers for loved ones. How much hope and love and pain and loss and forgiveness is floating around here.
When I saw this pendulum right smack in the middle of the place here, I thought how odd. It seems so totally out of place. But part of the history of this monument is its dedication to the intellectuals of France. So this pendulum is to demonstrate the rotation of the earth. Pretty cool.
When I saw this statue, I loved her. She looks so strong, carefree and beautiful.
And when I saw this one, I felt admiration for the men of incredible strength who manage to hold up the incredible weight of their world, how there's strength when you don't have to do it alone. How it can even feel easy - look at the expression on the face of the guy on the right. He looks like he can hold it up forever.
There were so many beautiful paintings on the walls all around this monument (look in the background.) What's great about traveling to places like this for me, is that I get to see all these wonderful things...and I feel inspired to remain passionate and let go of all the small stuff that really doesn't matter.
And this one...that in the midst of grandeur or the cold aloneness, your good friends stand close and remain committed; so strong and present.
"Live Free or Die" , a statue dedicated to the French Revolution.
Under the Panthéon there is a HUGE, dimly lit world of crypts where many of France's great men and women are buried. It is very quiet there. This is what you see as you enter the crypt on your last step down.
This is Voltaire's crypt. There's a story that on his death bed, a priest tried to get him to renounce Satan. He is reported to have said "now, now, my dear man - this is not the time to be making enemies." How funny, and how French, is that?
This is one of the paintings I referred to earlier. How often do we get to fight for something we want so badly, we are willing to literally die for it? Not too much these days it seems.
When we were done, we were ready to eat. We found a nice little crêpes place a block away. You can see the Panthéon in the background. I got to talk to my mom and see her...and see this wonderful monument in the background. Digesting my food...and all the things I just experienced and felt. It was really great. If you have the chance, try crêpes with honey and lemon. It was divine. On a side note, my mother is so funny about her waddle (neck/chin skin/fat that hangs)...she would always try to "suck" it up/in when I took a photo of her...she is doing this now. We would laugh so hard afterwards.
After lunch we started on our journey to Norte Dame. Then I saw these two. What is so sweet that I don't really see much here in the states, is sometimes I would see lovers just embracing like this. I feel like this was just a random moment, they were walking down the street and decided to give each other some love. I think she has a smile on that we can't see. Look at how much it seems he loves her...he has his head snuggled into her and seems he feels so relaxed and comfortable there.
And then we saw Norte Dame. Another magnificent, incredibly huge building. Mom hiding her waddle..haha.
There were SO many tourists there that day. It was about 85 degrees out side, perfect blue skies. Sometimes the practical side of me appears and I think of things like, where do the heck do I go pee if I need to? There were no public bathroom around here. So if you visit this place, please remember to pee first.
I think of all the lovers I saw in Paris, these two were by far my favorite. They were most definitely on something, I presume Ecstasy. They were sitting just barely on the Zero Mile mark or Point Zero (behind them & pictured below) which marks the heart of Paris. How appropriate, no? They were just sitting there, not really talking, tracing something on the ground with a piece of paper and their hands. Firmly embraced and acting as one being. I wonder what they were writing.
This is the actual Point Zero marker.
As you enter Norte Dame I couldn't help but to marvel at the architecture, the shapes of things, and the statues. There is meaning in every bit of detail. It is overwhelming.
Look at all the symbolisms here. Every person or scene depicted was completely different. Wow. I think I stood here for at least ten minutes.
As you enter, on the right there are rows and rows of candles that were lit. So mom and I stopped to light candles for our loved ones in heaven and here on earth that have challenges, of various kinds, in their lives. I made a little prayer for each one of them.
There was some amazing beautiful stained glass here.
Look at how the natural light makes the cross seem like it is only light, nothing solid or concrete. Like it's just floating there.
And the starry night...
Now I'm not really sure if these two are lovers, like romantic partners, but you can see she loves him in the intensity of what she is explaining to him..it seems to be something they both care a lot about. And he seems to be looking forward, trying to see in the alter before him some kind of understanding of what she is talking about. They both look awfully tired and exhausted. He looks almost defeated the way he is slumped over...and they are just touching just enough from their shoulders to their feet in a way that seems it is all they can handle at the moment.
When were were done at Norte Dame, we headed to find more food. I saw lots of interesting things and lovers as we went on our way...
These two were cute...I didn't get the impression they smiled all that often. I noticed quite a bit with older couples that they really do seem to start to look like each other the longer they've been together. These two seem like they've been together a long time. Maybe too long. But she is leading him, and he is pulling her towards him just slightly, leaning on her. I wonder if they are looking for a toilet so he can pee...like I desperately needed to around this time.
Are they having a secret hard-on moment? Hum...although their heads and upper body seems slightly parted, their lower half is definitely locked tight. She has his ass tightly in her grasp..he is feeling her little waist...I really think this their attempt at some kind of camouflage that I captured! His expressionless face gives me the impression he is really focusing hard on something...
Now these two were funny. She was sitting there, chatting away, I presume trying to find out which way to go. He was just "lalalalalalala" not really paying attention. Just looking around, at the birds. But sadly, I thought they really don't seem connected...they both have their legs crossed. I think he just has her arm around her to passify her to make her think he is listening. It was a hot day..hopefully they just needed to rest and relax a little bit.
As we rounded the corner there were suddenly all these boys who seem like they were high school seniors just graduating! They were not shy about posing for me.
Okay, so these are the dog lovers..we saw them earlier. I think they are so alike they even share underwear! Same, clothes, same purse, same dogs, same pose or posture. So funny. I wonder if they just do it naturally or if she wipes his butt too. I'm thinking it's the latter. But he did seem really happy. And they liked that I took their photo.
We found this nice little outdoor cafe right in front of the Palais de Justice. The interesting thing is that in Paris, a lot of the cafe's have the tables situated so you sit side by side facing out towards the street, instead of on either side of the table, facing each other. It was really nice, it was in the shade. And they had a great toilet!
Our next mission was to visit La Sainte-Chapelle. This was one of many gorgeous tree-lined streets we passed during our time in Paris.
After we paid our entrance fee, look what I saw? More lovers...oh my god! They are everywhere!!! These two were matching too. Ahh, so cute. I know what I have on my mind most of the time, but I swear, there is something in the air here. I don't think much needs to be imagined about what they are thinking or feeling. It looks so great.
So this was my first look at La Sainte-Chapelle. It is a chapel that was built for the royal palace, beginning in 1246. It was built to house precious relics, such as the crown of thorns, among other famous artifacts from the Passion. A portion of the crown of thorns can still be seen here today, I believe on the first Friday of every month.
Look at that!
The chapel has two floor, this statue of Mary is what you see when you first walk into the first floor.
This is the first floor. Used only by the Palace staff for worship back in the day. By contrast to the Pantheon and Norte Dame, this chapel was very very small.
To get up to the second floor, you have to climb up a couple stories through this twisty tiny little stone staircase. Remember, this place began in the 13th Century, which means that everything you touch is hundreds of years old. The whole time I was walking up the staircase all I could think of was "how many people climbed these stairs before me?". And as I touched the sides and the walls I wondered if anyone ever put their hand right were mine were.
So this is now the AMAZING second floor...
La Sainte-Chapelle is regarded as the oldest and best example of stained glass artwork in the world. The intricacy and details and color are so amazing. The way the light comes in through the windows brings it all to life in the most brilliant way...and it all looks different the longer you are there and the light changes as it gets later in the day. So so cool. There is 6,456 sq ft of stained-glass here. The chapel is 139 feet high. This is a place you MUST visit when you go. The second floor was used exclusively for the King. There was a bridge connecting the chapel to the palace that no longer exists.
We just sat for a long long time, looking at everything. I swear I could stay here all day. You can see how old it all is. This is just so great to be here.
And these are all the little treasures I found....
These two are so blissfully happy and content looking...love it!
The floors were even gorgeous...
So we were done, and went to go back to the hotel to rest before dinner. Hello little birdie!
We rested then went back out to the Latin Quarters for dinner. We found a nice little place to eat. I was sad though...only the wine was consistently good to drink. If you go you really need someone who knows to tell you where to eat and what to order. Otherwise, not so good I'm afraid.
One the way home that night we took the tube....this is what the tunnel looks like. When I took this photo I could feel the wind blowing as the train was coming on the other side. Its a pretty cool feeling. I wish we had better public transportation here.
And when we transferred to our train, I saw these two...
I don't think he was too happy with me, hee hee. But she seemed super cool and down for me taking photos of them. Take it easy man!
Our last day in Paris was tomorrow, then only 2 days until it was time to go home States. It was bitter sweet to think of this..we had such a wonderful day. Paris is a place I could visit a dozen times and still fill my days with new things to see, learn and discover. Not to mention at least a dozen trips to head down south and explore the other parts of France. Oui oui.
xo
Jodi
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