Who Could Be Happier I Ask?
Originally uploaded by da_mere.
Finally...drinking with friends for our last night in Paris. Can you tell how happy I am? we are?
31 July 2006
da_mere on the Champs du Mars
Mere, MFABT, 15 July 2006
Originally uploaded by da_mere.
Riding along during Mike's Fat Ass Bike Tour.
Please don't end, Paris...I love you
Talk about the best birthday. Saturday arrived. Our cameras were still missing. The first party-girl was leaving to return home. The end was nearing.
By Saturday we were really tired and couldn't bring ourselves to do much...so...we set out on a fruitless adventure to the Bois du Bologne, but gave up once we got to the neighborhood. We simply weren't prepared.
We returned to the Latin Quarter and ran our various errands. I sat down for a last meal of mussels. Some of the group ran about then returned to join me.
At 6 or 7, I can't remember, we all met under the Eiffel Tower for what we like to call Mike's Fat Ass Bike Tour. Simply, this was the greatest tour I've ever taken; I can't recommed it enough. If they have one in the city you are visiting - GO!
We rode around Paris for a few hours taking some great photographs, then hopped on a boat for a cruise up and down the Seine. The tour provides some wine, but that wasn't enough for us...so we picked up 20 or so beers at a nearby stand. Good times, good times.
We drunkenly peddaled the rest of the way to the tour offices. Then, with new friends from the tour, we headed back to the Latin Quarter for some late night drinks and dancing.
Somehow, miraculously, I awoke Sunday morning about the time we were supposed to be collected for the airport. That was the fastest packing, cleaning, and exiting of a flat by four people (3 girls!) I have ever witnessed!!! But we made it downstairs and to the airport. Sadly.
Aside from a few snafus, mostly the loss of our cameras and pictures, this was the greatest week of my life. In the meantime, I've been on a few roadtrips, used a few disposable cameras, and bought a new, slightly fancier, camera.
I'll write more when next I have Internet access.
By Saturday we were really tired and couldn't bring ourselves to do much...so...we set out on a fruitless adventure to the Bois du Bologne, but gave up once we got to the neighborhood. We simply weren't prepared.
We returned to the Latin Quarter and ran our various errands. I sat down for a last meal of mussels. Some of the group ran about then returned to join me.
At 6 or 7, I can't remember, we all met under the Eiffel Tower for what we like to call Mike's Fat Ass Bike Tour. Simply, this was the greatest tour I've ever taken; I can't recommed it enough. If they have one in the city you are visiting - GO!
We rode around Paris for a few hours taking some great photographs, then hopped on a boat for a cruise up and down the Seine. The tour provides some wine, but that wasn't enough for us...so we picked up 20 or so beers at a nearby stand. Good times, good times.
We drunkenly peddaled the rest of the way to the tour offices. Then, with new friends from the tour, we headed back to the Latin Quarter for some late night drinks and dancing.
Somehow, miraculously, I awoke Sunday morning about the time we were supposed to be collected for the airport. That was the fastest packing, cleaning, and exiting of a flat by four people (3 girls!) I have ever witnessed!!! But we made it downstairs and to the airport. Sadly.
Aside from a few snafus, mostly the loss of our cameras and pictures, this was the greatest week of my life. In the meantime, I've been on a few roadtrips, used a few disposable cameras, and bought a new, slightly fancier, camera.
I'll write more when next I have Internet access.
The World's Greatest Fireworks Display
Fireworks Ballet IV, Champs du Mars, Bastille Day 2006
Originally uploaded by da_mere.
You'd have thought you were at the ballet. It was the perfect birthday...Thank you to all of my dear, dear friends!!!
It's Here - The Big...Bastille Day, ofc
Wow. It's here. Bastille Day. I've waiting years for this day. I'm not sure what that says about me...but it is what it is, as an ex would say.
I awoke early, showered, and ran out the door. I didn't think the Louvre would be open, but it was. It was my understanding that the metro system would be extremely limited and that business and cultural institutions would be closed due to the holiday. That information was wrong. I took a bus to the Louvre, which was free.
I couldn't believe how giddy with excitement I was. I hadn't anticipated such emotions. I ran through the Louvre with my AudioGuide thrilled at every turn. Well, thrilled at every turn aside from all the people. =D
I saw all the requirements: Mona Lisa, Winged Nike, and Venus de Milo. Then I also saw things that were important to me, largely Mesopotamian, such as the Code of Hammurabi! WOW!
I had to run back to the flat to meet Anna. We were meeting up with Aussie Paul and his friend Aaron at their hotel then heading to the Eiffel Tower/Champs du Mars to picnic and watch the fireworks. We knew Aussie Paul was lying when he told us it was a ten minute walk, but we didn't think it'd be closer to a 45 minute walk.
We found a spot, moved a few times, and settled in for the long haul. We had a great spot. A little boy and his family sat next to us and we played football/soccer with him. As the sun set, the crowd fell silent. The celebration had begun!
These were the most amazing fireworks I had ever seen! It was more a ballet than a display of ammo. WOWZERS.
All was pure bliss until we began collecting our belongings to go home. Anna's camera was missing! I said, we'll use the flash on mine to find yours. Mine was gone too! Our cameras had been stolen!!! For me, the loss of pictures was intense. For Anna it was really intense; the camera was brand, spanking new.
Thankfully others had cameras, and have shared their pictures. But we are largely without pictures from the beginning of the week. We had to drown our sorrows. Thanks for the drinks and shots Aussie Paul!
I awoke early, showered, and ran out the door. I didn't think the Louvre would be open, but it was. It was my understanding that the metro system would be extremely limited and that business and cultural institutions would be closed due to the holiday. That information was wrong. I took a bus to the Louvre, which was free.
I couldn't believe how giddy with excitement I was. I hadn't anticipated such emotions. I ran through the Louvre with my AudioGuide thrilled at every turn. Well, thrilled at every turn aside from all the people. =D
I saw all the requirements: Mona Lisa, Winged Nike, and Venus de Milo. Then I also saw things that were important to me, largely Mesopotamian, such as the Code of Hammurabi! WOW!
I had to run back to the flat to meet Anna. We were meeting up with Aussie Paul and his friend Aaron at their hotel then heading to the Eiffel Tower/Champs du Mars to picnic and watch the fireworks. We knew Aussie Paul was lying when he told us it was a ten minute walk, but we didn't think it'd be closer to a 45 minute walk.
We found a spot, moved a few times, and settled in for the long haul. We had a great spot. A little boy and his family sat next to us and we played football/soccer with him. As the sun set, the crowd fell silent. The celebration had begun!
These were the most amazing fireworks I had ever seen! It was more a ballet than a display of ammo. WOWZERS.
All was pure bliss until we began collecting our belongings to go home. Anna's camera was missing! I said, we'll use the flash on mine to find yours. Mine was gone too! Our cameras had been stolen!!! For me, the loss of pictures was intense. For Anna it was really intense; the camera was brand, spanking new.
Thankfully others had cameras, and have shared their pictures. But we are largely without pictures from the beginning of the week. We had to drown our sorrows. Thanks for the drinks and shots Aussie Paul!
The Girls & Aussie Paul
The Girls & Aussie Paul
Originally uploaded by da_mere.
The wait over...we're all on the Champs du Mars awaiting sunset and fireworks over the Eiffel Tower. 14 July 2006
26 July 2006
Waiting, and waiting, and waiting...
Thursday came, and I was exhausted. I had been unable to sleep the night before because I was anxious about Susan and Matt finding each other at CDG then making their way to the apartment. Finally, I took a xanax so I could get some rest. The remainder of the house (Thanda and Anna) had been asleep for hours.
As usual, I was the first to get up and leave the house. Anna and I met over coffee and yogurt at Le Croissanterie across the street. Then we started off for Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle and Musee d'Orsay.
Armed with my museum pass, I cut all the lines and never paid a dime. Anna, however, didn't have a museum pass, which meant I basically waited in line while waiting for her.
Notre Dame was everything I expected. It was perfect. Normally you spend your life hearing about something and your expectations are way to high...so when you get there you are nothing but disappointed. Not so with Notre Dame. It was just right.
Then we crossed over to Saint Chappelle hidden in the Department of Justice. It is the most glorious thing I have ever seen. I mean, we have nothing on these people. When the aliens come down from the heavens and are judging our civilization...they will think this is the height of all of our accomplishments, even though it was built during a time referred to as the Dark Ages. Simply Stunning.
A quick run through the Musee d'Orsay and I had to head home. Susan and Matt should have arrived from CDG around 11.45/noon. No such luck, they were both delayed on their outbound flights because of weather problems in New York. Of course, neither knew that or could communicate with the other, so they took individual taxis when they still could have shared a ride. Oh well. Such is life. At least they both arrived safely. In the meantime I sat in the apartment watching German and UK MTV from about 11.30 until 3 pm.
Matt and I left moments after his arrival. We took in the Pompidou Center, which I had been wanting to see since I was an undergrad, and the rest of the Musee d'Orsay. We then met the girls for dinner out on the town.
Susan, in her infinite wisdom and extensive past with Paris, took us to an Irish bar in Paris' Bastille region where she had first had Strongbow cider. It was a HIKE. It was like being on the Upper East Side and then deciding to walk to a bar in the Village for an after dinner drink. No joke.
Susan, God bless her, got us our drinks for free...almost free. Ahh. Nothing like having your best friends around you. I am freakin' lucky!
As usual, I was the first to get up and leave the house. Anna and I met over coffee and yogurt at Le Croissanterie across the street. Then we started off for Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle and Musee d'Orsay.
Armed with my museum pass, I cut all the lines and never paid a dime. Anna, however, didn't have a museum pass, which meant I basically waited in line while waiting for her.
Notre Dame was everything I expected. It was perfect. Normally you spend your life hearing about something and your expectations are way to high...so when you get there you are nothing but disappointed. Not so with Notre Dame. It was just right.
Then we crossed over to Saint Chappelle hidden in the Department of Justice. It is the most glorious thing I have ever seen. I mean, we have nothing on these people. When the aliens come down from the heavens and are judging our civilization...they will think this is the height of all of our accomplishments, even though it was built during a time referred to as the Dark Ages. Simply Stunning.
A quick run through the Musee d'Orsay and I had to head home. Susan and Matt should have arrived from CDG around 11.45/noon. No such luck, they were both delayed on their outbound flights because of weather problems in New York. Of course, neither knew that or could communicate with the other, so they took individual taxis when they still could have shared a ride. Oh well. Such is life. At least they both arrived safely. In the meantime I sat in the apartment watching German and UK MTV from about 11.30 until 3 pm.
Matt and I left moments after his arrival. We took in the Pompidou Center, which I had been wanting to see since I was an undergrad, and the rest of the Musee d'Orsay. We then met the girls for dinner out on the town.
Susan, in her infinite wisdom and extensive past with Paris, took us to an Irish bar in Paris' Bastille region where she had first had Strongbow cider. It was a HIKE. It was like being on the Upper East Side and then deciding to walk to a bar in the Village for an after dinner drink. No joke.
Susan, God bless her, got us our drinks for free...almost free. Ahh. Nothing like having your best friends around you. I am freakin' lucky!
25 July 2006
Bastille Day 2006
Alit at Dusk, Champs du Mars, Bastille Day 2006
Originally uploaded by da_mere.
Ok, so we didn't see the Eiffel Tower until late in the week, but this is, after all, why we went. To watch fireworks over the Eiffel Tower.
First Days in Paris...
When I first took my sister to Washington D. C. many years ago, she said she did not want to go to the National Gallery of Art because she didn't know anything about art. I told her simply, when you see a painting on which you wish to comment, simply say - It reminds me of Paris in the springtime. Now...that means something to me :)
Wow. Did we have a good time.
The first few days was just the six of us. We felt we had plenty of time to see the sights, enjoy our time with each other, and relax. Boy were we wrong.
We were lucky enough to arrive in time for the World Cup final, but not lucky enough for France to win...which only meant a reasonable bed time, not that we held back on the drinking!
We walked all over the Latin Quarter, then over to the Louvre and down the Champs Elysee on Monday. It was quite a day, really. On Tuesday we went to Versailles.
I'm going to share pictures, but honestly, our cameras were stolen on Friday. So all the pictures I have are from later in the week from the others. Ok, so Thanda's disposable cameras weren't stolen :)
Wednesday we spent the morning together visiting Montemartre, but then split in the afternoon. I shopped around Montemartre, then headed to the St. Honore district. Exhausted, we packed a nice picnic of spreads, cheese, bread and wine then walked to the Jardin de Luxembourg. After, I walked over to Shakespeare and Co the bookseller and to Notre Dame, which was mere blocks from our flat.
Wow. Did we have a good time.
The first few days was just the six of us. We felt we had plenty of time to see the sights, enjoy our time with each other, and relax. Boy were we wrong.
We were lucky enough to arrive in time for the World Cup final, but not lucky enough for France to win...which only meant a reasonable bed time, not that we held back on the drinking!
We walked all over the Latin Quarter, then over to the Louvre and down the Champs Elysee on Monday. It was quite a day, really. On Tuesday we went to Versailles.
I'm going to share pictures, but honestly, our cameras were stolen on Friday. So all the pictures I have are from later in the week from the others. Ok, so Thanda's disposable cameras weren't stolen :)
Wednesday we spent the morning together visiting Montemartre, but then split in the afternoon. I shopped around Montemartre, then headed to the St. Honore district. Exhausted, we packed a nice picnic of spreads, cheese, bread and wine then walked to the Jardin de Luxembourg. After, I walked over to Shakespeare and Co the bookseller and to Notre Dame, which was mere blocks from our flat.
Back to Civilization
Hey All - Finally, an internet connection. I decided not to take my laptop with me to France after all. Seemed I would spend all my time on the damn thing...so I bought a journal instead. I figured it was more appropriate to spend my days writing in a journal at a cafe than searching for WiFi.
I did bring the little black box Packet8 sent me, which meant we had Internet phone in the flat. That was key. Every one could call home or have home call France...without cost. Beautiful.
All in all, we had seven people. Anna and I flew over together meeting Thanda at the airport. Susan and Matt flew over on Thursday, both delayed by weather. Paul brought a childhood friend, Aaron, from London on Friday. It was a birthday straight out of the movies.
I did bring the little black box Packet8 sent me, which meant we had Internet phone in the flat. That was key. Every one could call home or have home call France...without cost. Beautiful.
All in all, we had seven people. Anna and I flew over together meeting Thanda at the airport. Susan and Matt flew over on Thursday, both delayed by weather. Paul brought a childhood friend, Aaron, from London on Friday. It was a birthday straight out of the movies.
08 July 2006
Today's the Day...So Is Tomorrow.
Today's the day I leave for Paris. I'm totally nervous, excited, anxious, curious, and slightly depressed. If it's a typical travel experience for me, the depression will only increase as the day wears on. The rest will maintain their adrenaline draining status. I should be exhausted by mid-afternoon, especially since I've been up since 5.30 AM.
My apartment is a mess. We move the day I get back from Paris. In fact, I plan on getting home from the airport and starting to move early. If that doesn't increase my depression, I don't know what will. Maybe being in my 30s.
I meet Anna at JFK. Then we meet Thanda at Roissy/Charles de Gaulle. At least we'll be in Paris for the World Cup Final. That should be incredibly memorable. I missed Indianapolis and Gainesville when we won the basketball national championship, but I won't miss Paris and the WC win!
Wish me luck...and be grateful for xanax.
My apartment is a mess. We move the day I get back from Paris. In fact, I plan on getting home from the airport and starting to move early. If that doesn't increase my depression, I don't know what will. Maybe being in my 30s.
I meet Anna at JFK. Then we meet Thanda at Roissy/Charles de Gaulle. At least we'll be in Paris for the World Cup Final. That should be incredibly memorable. I missed Indianapolis and Gainesville when we won the basketball national championship, but I won't miss Paris and the WC win!
Wish me luck...and be grateful for xanax.
03 July 2006
Be Seated
Be Seated
Originally uploaded by da_mere.
OMG - I love Stacy. We went to high school together, and the girl just rocks. I hardly get to see her anymore, but she has the greatest stories. In fact, I stole the idea for this year's birthday party from her, which meant I couldn't make hers :( Regardless...she went to China, and this is far and away the best pic of the trip! Enjoy.
02 July 2006
welcome to my travel blog
Hey All.
I'm finalizing my plans for a trip to Paris for my 30th birthday. I've been planning the trip for the last five years, and it's finally here. I leave Saturday.
Five dear friends are coming with me, and we're going to have a blast. I love my friends and I love to travel. Hopefully, it will all come together nicely.
I try to go on one trip per month, minimum. Especially since I've moved to a new place...so much to experience, now, even if it's just a quick trip to a neighboring county. Or a quick run to the county seat for a sourdough bread/wine tasting.
I'll work on learning to upload pics from flickr, otherwise, I'll just provide links to the pics. Probably a great way to share my trip journals with family and friends!
All trip suggestions welcome!
I'm finalizing my plans for a trip to Paris for my 30th birthday. I've been planning the trip for the last five years, and it's finally here. I leave Saturday.
Five dear friends are coming with me, and we're going to have a blast. I love my friends and I love to travel. Hopefully, it will all come together nicely.
I try to go on one trip per month, minimum. Especially since I've moved to a new place...so much to experience, now, even if it's just a quick trip to a neighboring county. Or a quick run to the county seat for a sourdough bread/wine tasting.
I'll work on learning to upload pics from flickr, otherwise, I'll just provide links to the pics. Probably a great way to share my trip journals with family and friends!
All trip suggestions welcome!
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