Lazy Days, Manneken Pis, and Monet

Well, my devoted readers, it has been another crazy week and I have tons of new photos for you! This blog post may be the longest to date, so be sure to use the restroom before reading. You may also want to grab some popcorn.

On Monday, I climbed the 400+ stone steps to the top of Notre Dame cathedral, and I was awarded with blue skies and a fantastic view of Paris. I am constantly amazed by how beautiful it is here. After visiting Notre Dame, I walked along the Seine with a group of girlfriends and we ended up sitting by the water. I remember my first day in Paris, when I took a boat tour of the Seine. We motored past a group of animated students who were lounging by the river, laughing and talking. I took a picture of them because I thought, "Wow, they look so French!" Well, as my friends and I were sitting by the Seine, several boat tours passed by us... and we, also, had our photo taken. Maybe, as we've started to own Paris, the city has begun to own us... and we've become a little more French.


Here is a view of Notre Dame's backside, taken from my riverside seat.


And this is a photo of Hotel de Ville, the city hall. My church/school building is a couple short blocks from this magnificent monument. The sky was sure magnificent on Monday.


I have been enjoying school, for the most part. However, I my art history teacher is frustrating. On Wednesday, I had a particularly negative experience with my teacher... and I needed to get out of the country. So, my friend Amelia and I bought train tickets for Belgium.

I spent all of Thursday in Bruges (pronounced 'Broohj'), which is spelled 'Brugge' in Flemish (and pronounced 'Brooh-guh'). By train, it is about three hours away from Paris, including a train transfer in Brussels.


Bruges is called "The Venice of the North" because of its canal system and quaint water-side facades. The city has kept most of its medieval architecture intact, as many of the brick buildings date from the 12th and 13th centuries.


One of my favorite adventures in Bruges was a boat tour on the canal, and I was tempted to do it twice. The canals were spectacular.


I made sure to sit in the front of the boat, right next to the driver. He greeted each passenger in their native language (German, Italian, French, English, Japanese, etc.) and was very friendly. He was a Belgian Dick Van Dyke, with all of the charm and wit that comparison suggests. He had fun quizzing me on my French grammar and the Bonaparte family tree. He was also very interested in introducing me to his successful bachelor son, who is the head chef for a swanky restaurant in Bruges. He was a funny guy.


We rented bikes and rode around the town for a few hours. It was so easy to sight-see on two wheels, and I wish that I'd rented a bike earlier in the day. My bicycle was a little too big for me, so I did have a minor bike accident... but I stood up and brushed off the dirt very quickly. And then, I was back on the road!


One of the famous sites in Bruges is the Basilica of Holy Blood. Supposedly, after the Crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea used a piece of cloth to wipe blood from the body of Christ. The cloth was preserved and remained in the Holy Land until the Second Crusade, when the King of Jerusalem (Baldwin III) gave it to his brother-in-law, the Count of Flanders Diederik van de Elzas. The count brough the cloth to Bruges in 1150 and placed it in a chapel he had built on Burg Square. Reference www.sacreddestinations.com for more information.


There is an altar in the basilica where the holy blood is displayed in a crystal vial. Who knows if the relic is what the basilica claims... but it was still a reverent setting. I donated some spare change to the church so that I could light a candle.


On Friday morning, I hopped on a train to Brussels, and I spent a few hours enjoying the big city before heading back to Paris. A trip to Brussels is not complete without a stop at the Manneken Pis fountain. If you are confused as to why this fountain is famous, feel free to click on this photo and enlarge it.


This is a photo from the Market Square in Brussels, which is one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe.


Brussels is famous for its delicious waffles. I bought this sugary concoction from a street vendor, and it was one of the most enjoyable culinary experiences of my life. Warm, sweet, not too sweet, soft... yum.


And if that waffle weren't enough to stop my heart, I got some good old Belgian frites, slathered with a curry sauce. Take a close look at the store's sign, which pays tribute to the Manneken Pis.


As I was walking back to the Brussels Midi train station, I played the world's largest trumpet. Well, to be quite honest, I have no idea what it was... but it made for a fun picture.


It was a fun weekend in Belgium... I wish I could share all of my pictures and stories with you, but we don't have time. I am too excited to tell you about my visit to Monet's Gardens in Giverny. I took the train to Vernon, which took about an hour, and then I followed the blue footsteps to the closest bus stop, where I boarded a bus to Giverny.


We all know Claude Monet (hopefully), the founder of French Impressionist painting. When I was a little girl, my mother would read to me about Claude Monet's gardens. I grew to love his paintings of water lilies, and I always dreamed of visiting Monet's Gardens with my mother someday. When I visited Musee Marmatton last month, I was emotional when I saw a collection of Monet's Nympheas in person. I have been in love with Monet's paintings since my childhood, and to see them in front of me was a powerful experience.

Now, imagine how I felt when I visited Monet's home and the gardens in Giverny.


The picture below sums up the emotion pretty well...


Monet's gardens are fantastic in autumn weather. The ivy had changed to deep hues of red and orange.


It rained a bit while we were in Giverny, which allowed for some striking photography. I love the definition of the rain drops in this photo.


And, of course, seeing the water lily pond was the highlight of the trip.


Below is a photo of the iconic Japanese bridge, which Monet captured in many of his paintings.


This garden inspired so many famous paintings, so I decided to create my own masterpiece.

Ashley got pretty artistic with her photo-taking, and I remained oblivious to the paparazzi.


This is a picture of me, standing on the Japanese bridge.

The shot below could have been the coolest photo of all time, like a movie poster or a romance novel cover, but there's a green shirt lurking in the vines. Is anyone gifted with Photoshop? Thanks to Amelia for taking the picture.


After spending a significant amount of time in the gardens (but not nearly enough), our rumbling stomachs led us to a little restaurant called, appropriately, "Nympheas." It was a splurge, but I ordered a medium steak slathered with rocquefort cheese and a white wine sauce. For dessert, I ate my first "mousse au chocolat." I left the restaurant full and smiling.


We meandered around Giverny, enjoying the green countryside... and we stumbled upon haystacks, which are also a favorite subject in Monet's paintings. Isn't Giverny pretty? If I lived in such a charming location, I'd want to paint as well.


I found a little museum in Giverny where a team of artists recreated famous paintings with sand sculptures. This depiction of the Last Supper was actually larger than life.


The rest of these photos that document the natural beauty of Giverny in the fall. Ashley and I were in love with the landscape, and we decided that it was the perfect location for a photo shoot. So, some of these pictures are a little silly. Still, you have to admit that the surrounding countryside is beautiful.


This is Ashley's favorite photo-shoot image. She's rather proud of herself for capturing this facial expression. Here's how she described it: "You don't look sad, but you're hiding something. Like you have a secret, but not. It really is mysterious to me. Very interesting."


Thanks to Ashley, I have these fabulous model shots.


I love France. There are so many fascinating things to do in this country. And, if France isn't enough fun, it's relatively easy to travel to another country. I feel spoiled, having all of these amazing experiences. But I keep telling myself, "I have to have an adventure worthy of the blog!" So, really, I'm only going on trips for my readers...

I hope you enjoy reading my entries... because otherwise, I don't know how I'm going to continue justifying my compulsive traveling. :)

Until next time!

Door Knobs

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."
-Flora Whittemore













"You can walk through any one that suits you."
-Jim Morrison


*These photos were taken in Bruges, Belgium for my most recent photography assignment.

Come along! Lots to see!

Readers! What a week I've had. I've been dragging my feet about doing another blog update, because the more fun I have, the more daunting and long a blog post becomes. But here you go...

On Thursday the 14th, I went to a French national soccer game. The majority of our soccer group wore jerseys and face paint, in a grand show of team spirit... which is probably why France beat Austria (3-1). Ashley and I wore the jersey for Benzema (#10) who made us proud by getting the first goal. This photo was taken in the lobby of our church building, which is also where we go to school.

Almost every fan in the Saint Denis stadium was waving a large French flag. What dedication! I didn't have a flag, but I showed my support by yelling "Allez les bleus!" with the men around me, and participating in 'the wave' when appropriate. Ashley and I sat right by a group of loyal French fans and a group of rowdy Austrian fans... and when the game got tense, water bottles and other objects started flying.

During the second half of the game, two French fans ran onto the field and high-fived the French goalie. This photo was taken at the end of the game, and you'll notice a dramatic increase in security... at least twice as many neon coats controlling the crowd, compared to the previous photo. The French are passionate about their soccer!

One of the other kids in our group related that her host family was surprised by a group of Americans wanting to watch French soccer. They said, "Tourists never go to soccer games. You're the first girls we've met who have wanted to go to the stadium." And I'm so glad we did it. The soccer game was a fantastic experience, and it will probably stand out as one of my favorite memories from Paris. In fact, I'd like to go again... but first, I need to learn all the words to La Marseillaise so that I can stand up and sing!

I love the street musicians in Paris, particularly those that may be found in the metro. It's common to see an accordian player or a violinist producing lively music in the tunnels. On Thursday morning, however, I saw something completely new. I was on line 10, heading in the direction of Gare d'Austerlitz, when a ragged looking man boarded the train. There are always shady individuals on the metro, so I didn't give him much attention... but then, I heard the most lovely sound. The man was playing the hammered dulcimer. It seems difficult to play sitting down... and he was standing in a rocking metro train with the instrument strapped around his neck. I was absolutely amazed.

I spent the majority of Thursday at a chocolate festival called "Le Salon du Chocolat." The chocolate festival hits Paris once a year, and it only sticks around for three days... so I was very fortunate to have seen it. The most famous chocolatiers in Paris attend this enormous conference and provide free samples. You have to pay to get in, but it's absolutely worth it.

This is a model of the opera house, made out of pure chocolate and gold leaf. I had to restrain myself from lunging at that large pile of chocolate. I wanted to pull one of the Greek columns off the front and devour it. Walking through the Salon du Chocolat was almost like visiting Willie Wonka's chocolate factory, because almost everything was edible.

Here I am, sitting on my favorite pastry-- a religieuse. Now, if only that had been edible.

Aside from the exotic hot chocolate I drank, the best part of the Salon was the fashion show. I kid you not! Several of the big name chocolatiers created chocolate dresses, either made from or inspired by their chocolate, and paraded them down the runway... because why eat chocolate when you can wear it? Here are a few of my favorites.

When this model removed her gold foil robe, she was wearing a corset made of chocolate. She also had a chocolate mask strapped to her hand.

This model was representing a chocolatier who makes expensive chocolates shaped like feathers. She was the most energetic and oddly-dressed model to come down the runway.
And the best for last. This Carmen creation featured a slip made of solid chocolate, and several chocolate fans used as accent pieces on the dress.

It was a full day of chocolate tasting. Here's something interesting I've learned about French food: When a woman goes to buy beef at a local market, she will probably ask, "What was the cow fed?" because a cow's diet will affect the taste of the meat. The French like to taste history. They like to know the origins of their food. The same applies to chocolate. I ate a truffle that, to me, tasted exactly like dirt. This particular truffle was made from cocoa beans that were shipped from a very remote part of Costa Rica. If I had wanted to purchase some of those truffles, I would have paid an appalling amount of money... for a piece of chocolate that I didn't really enjoy. However, that brand of chocolate (forgot the name) is renowned for capturing the flavor of the region where the cocoa beans are harvested. Think of Swiss or Belgian chocolate-- to my knowledge, those two countries focus on making chocolate that tastes delicious.

That's not to say that French chocolate isn't great, because I ate some top notch dark, milk, hazelnut, praline and coconut chocolate... And I am constantly amazed by French pastries. But if you walk into the grocery store, craving the best chocolate in the world, feel free to play it safe. Go for something Swiss.

After the Salon, I went with some friends to see "500 Days of Summer" (or Cinq Cent Jours Emsemble). It was great, and I whole-heartedly recommend it. The weekend couldn't get better, right? Wrong.

On Friday, I went to EuroDisney. Caitlyn took this photo as we were buying our park passes, and she called it "Megan's excited face." I haven't been to the Anaheim Disneyland for nine years, so I was giddy to be at Disneyland.

Our group took this photo at the beginning of the day, in front of the Disney castle. From left to right, we have: Amelia, Ashley, Caitlyn, me, and Dani. It was a chilly- no, freezing- day. We even saw a good amount of rain. But not even the rainclouds couldn't dampen my spirits!

Some could argue that Disneyland is Disneyland, no matter where you go. However, the language difference was really fun. The Indiana Jones ride, which was a thrilling take on the mine car escape in Temple of Doom, was called Le Temple du Peril. The pirates and wenches on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride were shoutinig back and forth in French. And hearing C3PO speaking French on "Star Tours" was a total trip! Further praise-- Space Mountain was insanely awesome. I am an untouchable rollercoaster fanatic, but that ride made me scream like a girl.

Disneyland was decorated for Halloween, and the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack was playing all over the park as well. I will miss celebrating Halloween in the states, but running into Jack Skellington and Sally was a suitable replacement.

We tried, and tried, and tried... but even five of us could not pull that sword from the stone.


The Alice in Wonderland attraction was a surprise. Instead of the traditional 'ride on a caterpillar' homage to the movie, Disneyland Paris built a fantastic hedge maze. I was startled when the Queen of Hearts jumped out of the bushes, and I was even more terrified when I was caught painting the roses red.

The Peter Pan ride was housed in this cute little building.

Oooooh, and I saw Aladdin. It's embarrassing to admit, but if I were to have a crush on a cartoon character... this would be the one. He was very charming.

Chip (or Dale?) wearing a Halloween costume.



Who doesn't love Goofy?

All in all, it was a magical day!

On Saturday, I wanted to try one of Pierre Herme's expensive pastries... but the line was monstrously long. It stretched around the corner! Another day... I saw Pierre Herme at the Salon du Chocolat, where he showcased his latest creations and, of course, a chocolate dress.

Just a block away from Pierre Herme is a cathedral called Saint Sulpice. Some of you may recognize that name from Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code, as the location of pagan temple ruins. While I was there, I didn't find any signs of the Priory of Sion or the Holy Grail... but I did find this creepy mime lurking around in the shadows. Despite the fact that Saint Sulpice is the second largest cathedral in Paris (and it boasts the most magnificent organ, which I heard in concert on Sunday), it's not an obvious tourist destination... so who knows why this guy was there, splashing holy water on oblivious worshipers.

This is the gnomon, which is also discussed in Dan Brown's book. Here's the general history: In 1727, a priest of Saint-Sulpice requested that a gnomon be built, to help him determine the time of the equinoxes (and, therefore, Easter). A meridian line of brass was inlaid across the floor, and it ends at a white marble obelisk. A small lens was placed in the south transept window, allowing a clear ray of sunlight through the window. The time of the year determines where the ray of light will land on the floor.

Interesting Facts:
Around Easter, the ray of light hits the altar.
The gnomon was also used for various scientific measurements, which may have protected Saint Sulpice from destruction during the French Revolution.


The priests and worshipers at Saint Sulpice both love and hate The Da Vinci Code. The book has raised public awareness about the cathedral, thus bringing in more visitors and money... but visitors also have false ideas about the cathedral. Rumors about the Priory of Sion began with a prank by Pierre Plantard, who manufactured the rumors in order to convince others that he was a dynast. Dan Brown ran with the idea... and in an attempt to battle misinformation, the following poster was tacked to the wall, right by the gnomon. It made me laugh.
Saint Sulpice is a magnificent cathedral, and it does not get enough credit. But one of my favorite parts of the cathedral was this statue of the Christus. Catholic cathedrals in Paris focus heavily on the crucified Christ. It is very rare to see the resurrected Christ, as in the statue shown below, and it was a moving experience. I was also touched by the little slips of paper tucked in the folds of Christ's robes, all containing the humble prayers of worshipers.

On Sunday, Ashley and I took a walk in Pere Lachaise, which is the largest cemetery in Paris and the most famous cemetery in the world. The layout of Pere Lachaise is very much like the city as there are street signs, and many of the family plots resemble the facades of cathedrals. It would be easy to get lost in this labyrinth of tombs.


Many famous politicians, artists, composers, and philosophers are buried in Pere Lachaise. It's an enormous cemetery, but I discovered some known names: Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Moliere, Jean de la Fontaine, Francois Arago (helped abolish slavery in the French colonies), Vivant Denon (worked for Louis XV, and helped Napoleon Bonaparte pillage works of art for the Louvre), Luigi Cherubini (opera composer), Allan Kardec (founder of spiritism), Baron Haussmann (who leveled many parts of Paris to create the Grands Boulevards) and others. There were also monuments dedicated to victims of war and genocide.

Below is a photo of Chopin's grave, covered with flowers from grateful music lovers.

Pere Lachaise was absolutely beautiful, due to the large amount of plant life and flowers.



This is a photo of the crematorium, which was built in 1889.

I kissed Oscar Wilde's tomb, as is tradition. This photo does not do the playwright's tomb justice, but it's for your benefit. The top of Oscar Wilde's monument features a giant naked (and hideous) sphinx.


This is the grave for a renowned French journalist named Noir. The tomb features a lifesize bronze sculpture of the murdered man, with a top hat at his feet. Well, I don't know if it's true to life, or if the sculptor was very generous, but a certain part of his anatomy is very prominent. Apparently, this sculpture is a fertility charm for women who want to get pregnant because, while the rest of the statue has oxidized and turned green, his crotch has been rubbed so much that it's a shiny bronze color. In good taste, and to enhance your curiosity, I'm providing this vague and artistic photo.


Aside from several sobering Holocaust memorials, Pere Lachaise was so rich with history and color that it hardly felt somber. I may make it a Sunday tradition to stroll through the cemetery. It was such a peaceful and beautiful place. If you haven't done so already, take a look at the Pere Lachaise website. You can take a virtual tour and explore the cemetery for yourself.


Well, that's all for this week. Until next time!

"Nature, According to Disney" -photography assignment

In The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the attractive Phoebus remarks, "Hmm... leave town for a couple of decades and they change everything!" Paris, like any other big city, is a place of metamorphosis and reconstruction. Many thanks to Haussmann's city-wide overhaul, Paris has a layout that is very practical. And, in the spirit of urban progress, the city is continually becoming more efficient. But what is the price of any industrial progress? As Walt Disney once commented, "You can't just let nature run wild."

When I am lucky enough to find a piece of untamed landscape in Paris, I still have a hard time shaking the "big city feeling." The sounds of car horns honking and metro trains rumbling underground are audible from almost anywhere. Disneyland is one of the most fabricated and heavily planned places on earth... and yet, it was at EuroDisney that I finally felt removed from city life. As I was searching for Thunder Mountain Railroad, I found myself in a comfortable rural setting where the air felt clean. And you know what? Sans rides, I would have paid forty euros just to see 'nature' again. I think it's time for me to visit the countryside.