Some Paris observations: Thrilled at how the metro was so easy to use; observed several times the kindness of people helping strangers carrying luggage up or down the metro’s countless stairs; delighted how little trash and graffiti we saw; appreciated that drivers obeyed traffic signals and didn't rush through on yellow or even red as we've sadly become used to at home in Denver; noticed few signs of homelessness and poverty in the areas where we were; but, in a sign of the times, did see Syrian families looking for assistance in metro stations; saddened that the spread of English words has replaced so many French words as I consider the French language the most beautiful in the world; surprised there was almost no overt police presence even in a city that has seen so much political terrorism; and not sure if it was a glass half-full or half-empty situation with the cursory security or bag checks when accessing each of the famous landmarks.
Some highlights of our few days in Paris: The highlights for us were the Musee d’Orsay with its sublime Impressionist paintings; Saint-Chapelle with the most stunning stained-glass windows we’ve ever seen; the incomparable Arc de Triomphe; the immense Place de la Concorde with its Luxor obelisk and regal statues identifying cities throughout France; the Cluny Museum with its superlative Lady and the Unicorn tapestries; walking toward the Eiffel Tower from a good distance away and then finally standing below the majestic building with Steven for the first time; the Army Museum with Napoleon’s Tomb; the Pantheon; and, of course, seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
Reflections of our time in Paris: However, Steven and I were both underwhelmed by some of the churches we saw including the world-famous Notre Dame and Sacré-Cœur as compared to the richness and luxury of so many we saw in South America on our trip last year. I had thought that the Champs-Élysées would be the grandest boulevard and the ne plus ultra of all but was surprised how ordinary it seemed after walking much of the length of Mexico City’s Paseo Reforma with its spectacular sculptures, fountains, etc at major intersections. It was neat seeing the magnificent Louis Vuitton, Laduree, etc but the boulevard didn’t wow either of us even after walking its full length from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
I had been looking forward to our visiting the Père Lachaise cemetery but I found the lack of care and attention to those who have passed before us to be so, so sad. Piles and piles of leaves from last year still lay where they had fallen, too many graves were in a sad state of disrepair, benches were dirty, etc. I could only remember the grand cemeteries in Buenos Aires and elsewhere in South America which were things of beauty and elegance.
Are we glad we began our four plus month trip in the City of Love? Of course, but the city didn’t wow us, didn’t leave us wanting far more as I think we both expected. Steven wondered whether it was a case of our having seen so much beauty, so many world class museums elsewhere that nothing can wow and delight us to such an extent again. I heartily disagree with that because, for me, if that were the case, that would mean there would be few reasons to want to continue to travel to new places to search out new experiences and see many more wonders of the world.
I would love to hear from others who have visited Paris, to know your impressions, what you loved, liked and even disliked. What places intrigued you that you'd want others to also discover and why? Where would you suggest people stay away from and why? Please post any comments in the Comments section at the bottom of the post.
Next post: Discovering Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Posted on August 21st, 2018, from Yerevan, Armenia.
If no comment window appears, click on the words "No comments", "1 comment" or " 2 comments", etc. that appear below and a new window will appear for you to leave a comment. CLICKING ON THE POST TITLE BEFORE READING WILL ALSO OPEN THE COMMENT WINDOW.
Some highlights of our few days in Paris: The highlights for us were the Musee d’Orsay with its sublime Impressionist paintings; Saint-Chapelle with the most stunning stained-glass windows we’ve ever seen; the incomparable Arc de Triomphe; the immense Place de la Concorde with its Luxor obelisk and regal statues identifying cities throughout France; the Cluny Museum with its superlative Lady and the Unicorn tapestries; walking toward the Eiffel Tower from a good distance away and then finally standing below the majestic building with Steven for the first time; the Army Museum with Napoleon’s Tomb; the Pantheon; and, of course, seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
Reflections of our time in Paris: However, Steven and I were both underwhelmed by some of the churches we saw including the world-famous Notre Dame and Sacré-Cœur as compared to the richness and luxury of so many we saw in South America on our trip last year. I had thought that the Champs-Élysées would be the grandest boulevard and the ne plus ultra of all but was surprised how ordinary it seemed after walking much of the length of Mexico City’s Paseo Reforma with its spectacular sculptures, fountains, etc at major intersections. It was neat seeing the magnificent Louis Vuitton, Laduree, etc but the boulevard didn’t wow either of us even after walking its full length from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
I had been looking forward to our visiting the Père Lachaise cemetery but I found the lack of care and attention to those who have passed before us to be so, so sad. Piles and piles of leaves from last year still lay where they had fallen, too many graves were in a sad state of disrepair, benches were dirty, etc. I could only remember the grand cemeteries in Buenos Aires and elsewhere in South America which were things of beauty and elegance.
Are we glad we began our four plus month trip in the City of Love? Of course, but the city didn’t wow us, didn’t leave us wanting far more as I think we both expected. Steven wondered whether it was a case of our having seen so much beauty, so many world class museums elsewhere that nothing can wow and delight us to such an extent again. I heartily disagree with that because, for me, if that were the case, that would mean there would be few reasons to want to continue to travel to new places to search out new experiences and see many more wonders of the world.
I would love to hear from others who have visited Paris, to know your impressions, what you loved, liked and even disliked. What places intrigued you that you'd want others to also discover and why? Where would you suggest people stay away from and why? Please post any comments in the Comments section at the bottom of the post.
Next post: Discovering Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Posted on August 21st, 2018, from Yerevan, Armenia.
If no comment window appears, click on the words "No comments", "1 comment" or " 2 comments", etc. that appear below and a new window will appear for you to leave a comment. CLICKING ON THE POST TITLE BEFORE READING WILL ALSO OPEN THE COMMENT WINDOW.
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