Gus Digital

Today we woke up late so decided to just venture out to some of the local Museums in our area. Since the Picasso Museum is only 1 block away, we ventured there. This is reportedly the most work of Picasso on display. In true Parisian flare, the Museum itself is a monument. This is housed in the old Hotel Sale. Definitely looked a lot bigger in the photos, but it’s still an amazing building. The collection itself was impressive, spread over 3 floors throughout the hotel. I was amazed at some of the work and a little thrown off by others. Maybe it was because he is a “modern day artist” as opposed to an artist of the 13th or 14th century. I definitely learned that he did more than just paintings, from sculptures in clay or metal to pottery.

From there we ventured to the Museum Carnavalet (the history of Paris). It was a pleasure to walk in and not have to pay for anything :). This museum houses work from the 16th century up to the 20th century both in paintings, sculptures, and furniture. This museum is housed in 2 mansions and creates a figure 8 design. There are 4 different courtyards with different gardens. Now throughout the musems, which ever one you go to here, they always have people making sure you are not touching the paintings or doing anything out of the ordinary. Their jobs are boring to say the least and I wonder how they pass the time. Well during our visit here, I found out how, they take short naps I just had to take a picture of him.

From there we ventured off again into unknown area and discovered some more shops and stopped off for a bite to eat. Nothing spectacular to report on the food as I just had a slice of lasagna and Russ had a salad.

From there we headed home but did stop by at a pastry shop and bought some delectable treats for later tonight. We will be eating in tonight to try to save some money as hopefully tomorrow we will venture off to Varsaille Palace, a 40 minute excursion outside of the city.

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So one of my co-workers (Laura) is leaving today to bigger and better things.

Alas I won’t be there to wish here all the best as I’m in Paris right now. But she has been so kind to look after our place and take care of Chelsea (the cat) while Russ and myself are away.

I will miss Laura’s laughter, late night phone calls to me about clients, or just generally having her around the office. I know we will still be in great contact with each other as she still lives in the city, afterall.

Laura I’m still there as a movie date should you every want one!

Hugs and big toast from Paris!!! SALUTE!!!

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Ok I just can’t help myself, I’m going picture crazy here in Paris. I’m so glad Russ has brought his laptop with him without it I don’t know what I would do with all the pictures. I think in the past 5 days I have taken over 200 photos. UGH! But hey you have to take alot to get the best ones

Today was a better day heat wise. Definately a hot day, but bareable.

We went to the Musem D’Orsey. This museum is housed in an old train station and has been redone to be able to house all the fantastic work. Now there is work from Monet, Van Gaugh and an exhibit of Rodin, just to name a few. You get to appreciate the work much more seeing it up close and personal. There are times you just want to actually touch the work, but that isn’t allowed. There are signs through out the museum warning you of this as well as warnings about leaving your bags behind - “any unattended bags will cause the museum to be evacuated” OUCH!

After 3 hours at the Musem D’Orsey, we walked along the street and made our way to the Latin Quarter. Now this is full of fantastic Art shops which line the many streets. We just wondered around, at one point lost, but that was half the fun. We entered a back alley, which turned out to be full of little stores and cafes. One which we sat out and enjoyed a glass of Pepsi, Beer, Crepe and salad, all for an amazing price of 29 Euros! Ahhh the French! But it was fun and enjoyable and we don’t regret it at all.

We slowly ventured our way back to the condo, but managed to stop along the Notre Dame Cathedral and took pictures of one side we didn’t take pictures of yet (I know, unbelievable!!!). We stopped by a tacky shop where I bought some postcards, and then ventured back home to do some laundry (2 loads for 10 Euro, including drying..EEK)

All in all a fun day, more relaxed.

We started planning our other ventures outside the city in the next few days, so keep posted to some new and interesting points of view!

EDIT - What’s hot in fashion here, BIG and I mean BIG belt buckles, can be with reinstones or not, silver or not, just BIG and chunky. Also I was surprised to see more Parisians drinking rose wine, not Zinfindel as in North America.

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It’s hard to believe it’s only been 4 Days already. We’ve been going to bed fairly late and waking up even later. I’m starting to feel more Parisian everyday :). The cafes here are amazing. People linger outside on the street, talk, drink, smoke. Just socialize. It’s interesting from a North American perspective.

Today, on advice from Laura, we decided to take it easier. We kept our walking to a minimal and went on a ride in the Metro. Our goal, to see the Effiel Tower. Now I’m not one to give you a history lesson, but from what everyone knows, the Effiel Tower was not loved by the Parisians when it was first built. They HATED it. Walking under the structure you are just awed, granted be warned that the gypsies are everywhere there asking if you “Speak English” and then hold out a card for you to read saying “we are new to this country, just arrived, we haven’t eaten, could you spare some money” HA! and they look so healthy to me!

Anyways, when entering the Tower, you have the option of buying a ticket which observation deck you wish to go to. Prices vary depending on which one of course. I opted out for the 2nd level as I’m not a great person with heights. Also with this option you can choose to walk up the stairs (why?) or take the lift. The lift itself is a double decker lift and you are pilled in there like sardines. We made our way up to the second left and took some amazing photos (see flickr)

We then made our way down to the first level and ate at the cafe there, and looked at the lovely tacky souvernirs. Instead of taking the lift down back to the main floor, we decided to walk down the stairs. I marvelled at the people making their way up. Some looked liked they were regretting it from the get go, and others were just enjoying it. Ahh Paris!!!

Tonight will be a quiet night out, maybe a cafe with some pasteries or not. We shall see.

Tomorrow will be another fun filled day!

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Hot, Sticky, Humid, Sweaty, SORE, feet tired, walked way too much around the Pere La Chaise Cemetery. Napped. Went out again to do some shopping though I didn’t buy anything, yet. Had dinner. Met interesting people. Walked to Notre Dame for some night time shots. Back at the condo, tired. I’m off to bed!!!!

Where’s the tylenol?

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I can’t believe this is just the second day. We did SO much today I think it’s hard to put it all in words.

First we got up late, jet lag is finally gone and we headed out on our day. The plan was to visit the Louvre Museum as it was a free day (first Sunday of every month). We ended up walking to the museum which was about 1/2 hour walk from the condo. Prior to getting there we stopped off at Brasserie for a couple of sandwhiches (in a bagette). MMM nothing like a bagette with brie and tomatoes.

We got to the backside of the Museum and it was so impressive. Now this was just the backside, when we walked through a door way into a court yard and was floored away. Russ of course kept say, wait, and boy was he right. Walking through the court yard and entered the main court yard with the glass pryamid. Now for those who have never been here, the pyramid is the actually the enterance to the Louvre. Since it was a free day, the crowds were out in force! The place was SO busy I’m surprised the security was so light.

We ventured into the Egyptian area. For those that know Russ, you can see why we started there first (he just loves anything Egyptian). With the crowds, I was getting alittle over whelmed and alittle heat stricken, but I ventured onwards, up some stairs, down some stairs, up some other stairs and down some more. After the Egyptian exhibit I had to go see my Mona Lisa. Alas the usual route to her was blocked off and we had to go through a detour to find her. Up some more stairs and down some other, but first we got to see the Venus de Milo and the Wings of Victory. Of course the Mona Lisa was highly sought after and the crowd was 15 people deep. Now in this area, no photos were allowed, but hey I had to try

At this point I was having a hard time with the crowds and we had to get out of there. We ventured outside and got our picture taken in front of the Louvre. We started to walk through the Tuileries Gardens. Tons of people around, enjoying the nice Parisian weather. We continued our walk up to the Champs-Elyees towards the Arc de Triumph. We didn’t exactly hit the Arc as our feet were getting so TIRED from all the walking.

We hopped on the Metro and went to see the famous Opera House. This is inspired the Phantom of the Opera. In true spirit, you had to pay to tour the Opera House (Russ remembers when this was free). The staircase was GRAND as grand as a staircases should be! The chandelliers were HUGE or as Russ likes to call them (earrings). Of course at this point my shirt was soaken wet from the humidity, but being a trouper I continued on. The reception area, the audience room was amazing to say the least!! We ended up taking a small break outside the Opera House and just enjoyed being there.

We hopped back on the Metro and came home. Granted we tried to stop off to pick up something at the groccery store, but nothing is really open here in Paris on Sundays! We’ll have to wait until tomorrow for that.

Tonight we dined at a fantastic restaurant known as The Gai Moulin. I had to go all out and ordered the Kangaroo for dinner. MMMMM Yummy!!!

We did some more walking and returned home. Phew a HUGE Day and another one to happen again tomorrow!!

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WOW finally here in Paris!

Had a short delay in Vancouver on our way to Toronto to join our flight to Paris. Overall the flights were very comfortable. we managed to at least get some sleep and felt alittle rested when we landed in Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Interesting note, you don’t have to grab your luggage before customs here. I thought that was interesting. Granted after having to fight our way through to our luggage carousel from what felt must have been a flight from somewhere in Africa where they were bringing anything and everything back (some I swear were rotting).

After a short delay there, we were on our way to our condo and it was a interesting ride. I manage to get a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower (which we will venture to sometime during our stay). We arrived in the condo only to find the cleaning person still cleaning the place. I was so hoping to just jump in the shower and relax, alas we just ventured out and did some grocery shopping. Europeans have such a way of shopping

Well we finally finished and headed back to shower. AHHH a shower after a 14 hour trip was well worth it. We got ready and headed out again.

We walked around the Marais District. WOW the architecture here is amazing. I couldn’t get enough of it. We walked down to Ile Saint-Louis and then to Notre Dame Cathedral. Such an amazing place. I was blown away by the gothic look of it all. I’ll have pictures posted on my flickr page soon enough.

We ended up walking back to the condo but we pasted by some interesting shops and the Hotel De Ville. PHEW so much in so little time.

Tomorrow we tend to head to the Louvre museum as supposedly it is free on the first Sunday of every month.

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