Missing France

With the drizzle outside, I'm finding that I miss being on vacation. Holly and I have been reviewing photos to print to make a condensed version of a photo album, since all the photos we want to print got super pricey, real fast.

Overlooking the French Riviera in Nice, France.


The King & Queen of America in Monaco.




Exploring the palace gardens in Versailles, France.


On the bridge, in the sun viewing Notre Dame Cathedral. Did I mention the sun was in my eyes and I could not see anything!


Atop the Arc du Triumph in Paris, France.


Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.


Rodin Gardens in Paris, France.


In front of Notre Dame, our first night in Paris after we got bitched out a by a street vendor. "Beesh, Beeshes." I want a Nutella crepe so I can chuck it at someone! :)

Monumental France

Well, of course you knew it was coming. We did visit all the monuments and churches you're supposed to see while in France. Brace yourselves.

Dan and I in front of the Louvre.




Dan and I in front of the Eiffel Tower.




Dan getting a closer look from our boat tour.




At night.



Fantastic video at night.



Dan tired and bored at The Arc de Triomphe.





Us at the top of The Arc.




Walking down the stairs from the top of The Arc since we were told the elevator was for invalids. They didn't care that we had purple tickets that stated we were invalids and had already taken the elevator to the top.



Inside Notre Dame.







Chartes Notre Dame (they're all called Notre Dame).




Dan lighting a candle.



Stunning stain glass.

Chateau Versailles

First off I need to say that the day trip to Versailles was amazing, and I loved it. In the hall of mirrors, the only thing I could concentrate on...was my intense desire to have some outlandishly expensive and gaudy suit on, and a powdered wig four feet tall off my bald head, so I could run around and admire how I looked in all the mirrors, and bark orders at all my servants. All the while, thinking about how many candles would have been in this place, and out running any angry Parisians who wanted to chop my head of in the make shift guillotine in the huge court yard.


The very impressive Chateau Versailles.


Holly and I, Steve and Kelly overlooking the Orangerie.


The King and Queen of America looking ever so dapper...


Beautiful sculpture, a huge topiary of sorts.


Beautiful manicured gardens.


Romanesque columns and architectural accents, very beautiful.


More sculptural shrubberies.


Holly in her royal chariot.


Doing the epitome of American Laziness, by strolling around the gardens in the rented golf cart. Once we all figured out how big the impressive palace gardens were, we all thought..."There is no way in H, we are going to walk this all on foot!"


Steve's noggin, and Kelly laughing.


The King and Queen of America reprise.

Chateau Versailles was amazing. After a few train direction mishaps, we finally made it, and it proved to be one of the best experiences from my perspective that we had. Spending 30 Euros on a golf cart rental was the BEST expense of the trip.

France Vacation, Day 11

I've been "forbode" from giving a day-by-day recap of vacation, so I'll skip RIGHT to day 11. This would be the day we went through rolls upon rolls of toilet paper. The food poisoning gods unleashed their horror on Kelly after a less than favorable chicken schwarma experience for lunch. We all ate it, but for some reason she got sick from it. The last few days in Nice were chalked up to "too many people, not enough things open on the sabbath, and lots and LOTS of trips to the restrooms." I had a bit more mercy with my bowels, but Kelly by far gets the award for using the most toilet paper. I'll need to think of a fun prize for her.

Experiencing Art

We were able to go to some great museums and some not so great while in France. One of which of course was the Louvre. I must say it was quite the disappointment. The outside was great, the lobby was promising, but as we followed the signs to the Mona Lisa things got progressively worse. Once we finally arrived to the top floor all the lighting was harsh and florescent which made it hard to see the artwork and really hard for me to concentrate at all. Basically we saw 2 things and left spending no more than 1 hour.





Of course it didn't help that we had a very long day leading up to the Louvre. Our feet were so tired!



So, after that let down, I was excited that we were able to go to Versailles and see some unexpected and fun art. Of course when you think of Versailles you think of the hall of mirrors and some old paintings on walls. Well, I was surprised and so pleased to find an exhibit there of modern sculptures by Jeff Koons mixed in and around the old and ornate rooms. I loved it!







I also really enjoyed the brightly colored walls in each of the rooms.




The Rodin gardens were also one of my favorite spots we visited.







While we were in Nice we went to the Matisse Museum. I really enjoyed this, probably so much because Nice had been such a disappointment so far. The town was so touristy it was nice to take the bus away from the main chaos and immerse ourselves in art.






Another of my favorites had to be the Picasso Museum in Antibes. I loved the outdoor sculptures the most.







For as disappointing as Monaco was they did have a good art moment. Outside one of the casinos was a piece by Anish Kapoor who I'm a big fan of.



I also found art on the streets which is one of my favorite things about Europe.