Highlights from Paris

After three days in Paris, filled with the traditional sites, and a few off the beaten path, we all agree with Hemingway that Paris is a Moveable Feast, or as the French translation has it, "Paris est un festin," -- Paris IS a feast--for the eyes, mind, and, of course, tastebuds. Of all the different foods tasted, the crepes probably came out as being number one, but the Berthillon ice creams were definitely second.

Our first day, we left our bags at the hotel, after our taxi ride in from the airport, about 8 a.m. (the taxi ride being "baptism by fire"), and immediately set out touring the Latin Quarter. Our hotel couldn't have been more centrally located in this bustling neighborhood. The tour included the Luxembourg Gardens, and in the Montparnasse area on the other side of the jardin, we stopped by La Closerie des Lilas, and were able to see the booths which had been occupied by Hemingway, Picasso, Lenin, and other writers, artists and intellectuals early in the twentieth century. Passing by Le Select, La Rotonde, and La Coupole on the Boulevard du Montparnasse, we eventually ended up at St. Sulpice church, where tourists are still coming to see the "Rose Line" mentioned in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. There's a disclaimer sign which points out to the visitors that none of what he said was true, of course. Mr. Finsthwait took us by number 27, rue de Fleurus, where Gertrude Stein had her "salon" and was an early collector of Picasso and other artists who stopped by regularly. We were even able to go into the inner courtyard, thanks to a repairman who had left the door open.

On our second day, we visited the Musee d'Orsay, where each student selected an artist, then one painting of that artist, to make a little presentation, in French of course, to the group. They demonstrated a lot of courage, since this was in front of any other visitors who happened to be passing by at that moment. They all did a great job! Pictures will be added as soon as I can get the USB key to work. Sorry for the delay, since pictures are the most important part of a blog. The Eiffel Tower was an obvious follow-up to the d'Orsay, since they are just a couple of stops apart on the RER. Since Rolland Garros was only a few stops further on the metro, we went out with the intention of at least buying a few French Open t-shirts. No way to get in! We figured Mr. Finsthwait was the most likely to be able to worm his way in, and he almost made it when he was spotted by an entrance guard. "Monsieur, s'il vous plait!" But we did get a few photos over the fence.

Saturday was devoted to the Rive Droite (right bank), starting with the Arc de Triomphe, working our way down the Champs-Elysees to the Place de la Concorde, la Madeleine, and l'Opera Garnier. The day ended in Montmartre, with dinner at restaurant in the middle of the Place du Tertre. Jojo got a funny caricature done of her, and Taylor had a hard time resisting buying a small painting. She might have to go back for it.