From Right Here

Photos from walking around in Paris.

These photos were taken at the Jardins des Plantes in Paris - the Botanical Gardens of Paris, if you will. This garden is completely free, had many blooming flowers even in October, and has several nice exhibits for kids and people like me who are nil with biology. One exhbit chronicals the millions of years of history of the earth while you’re walking - you just have to see to believe it!

had to get me some boots for paris - can’t do the sneakers here!

Many, Many street photos - including this little cafe - where I accidentally ordered LIVER…oh la.. (it said BOEUF!)

This is what people do, alll dayyy - hang in cafe’s - rain or shine.

These photos were taken at one of my favorite spots in Paris - The Jardins du Luxembourg. They were originally built to please Queen Marie de Medici, Henri IV’s widow - I guess she was feeling homesick. So this reminded her of Florence. It’s now the home of the Senate, and is a central place to play tennis, chess, or just walk around. It contains over a 100 statues of some of the women of France.

For the link to more, go to my Picasso site: http://picasaweb.google.com/chodger/ParisOctober#

Photos from my first week in Paris - just wandering around alllll daaayyy loonnnggg.

These are photos of a “greve” a strike in Paris. These happen quite often and people often return to work the same day or next. They are held more to show opposition - usually complaining about a salary. This was for Hospital Workers.

‘Grise’ refers to the economic crisis in the US. They talk constantly about it, as they do everywhere. So far, there have been several small French Banks that have been hurt, but the worst of the damage is yet to come. Funny enough, aside from your house mortgage, many French people I’ve met here owe nothing on credit cards or loans. It’s not part of the culture and students rarely graduate with a hefty monthly payment because school is “gratuite!”

Musee D’Orsay - The Museum of Post-Renaissance, Impressionist and Post-Impressionists (1848-1914). It’s got all the good stuff, so make sure you stop there.

(highly DON”T recommend the food - awful, tiny cafeteria, and 2 over-priced restaurants).

For more, click on the link to my picasso photo gallery -

http://picasaweb.google.com/chodger/ParisOctober#

I spent the first week of my France trip in Paris. I have a thousand pictures, but my day at the Louvre was my favorite. I spent the morning walking around the Musee de Beaux-Arts, saw Napolean’s bedroom, and even glimpsed a Finnish Art exhibit. I met up with my cousin and her boyfriend later on for drinks at a cafe, and conversation about working too hard and not having time for you art (it’s the same everywhere, folks!)

The best part about the Louvre was the outside. The Louvre Art Museum - was originally a palace. I think it was built for one of the Louie’s but who can keep track of details like history? It was added to, and added to, and it now looks like the biggest building I’ll ever see in my life. The park cuts through the center, and seems to attract school kids, couples picnicking, and anyone looking for a nap.

Bon apres-midi!