We had to see the Catacombs, I mean come on, 6 million dead Parisian skeletons underground arranged artistically, who wouldn’t want to see that? These caverns used to be mining areas back in the olden days, but in the 19^th century, the cemeteries were apparently overflowing, literally, so over several years they carted these bones down underground at night (so not to freak out the citizens that were living there at the time). They then made them neat towards the front by arranging designs with the long bones and skulls, and then opened the area up like in an amusement park. It was weird and kinda spooky. Initially, I found myself just walking along trying to find different bones or commenting on the artistic use of a femur here instead of a humerus. It was like it wasn’t real. They go on for miles. But then it hit me, especially when I started seeing the bones of toddlers or babies. I mean these were living people, just like you or me. Very surreal. I even felt a bit sacrilegious taking pictures. I definitely want to be cremated when I die and have my ashes spread somewhere, just so someone in the future doesn’t see me somewhere in some cavern.

Tags: Catacombs,Dead Parisians,Le Catacombs
Categories: Becky Blogs, Paris
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We were starting to smell, so we attempted to do Laundry at this Laundromat near our hotel. It was all in French but thank God that there is universality with washing machine symbols. In the end it must have all worked well cause they smelled much better, were still the right color and no shrinkage, despite that to my mother’s horror I did not sort out by color and just crammed them all in the same washer. Do you know how expensive it is to do a load of laundry?

Did Fat Tire Bike tour/Boat Ride around Paris tonight. Was amazing to see the city all lit up. It looked completely different than the day. No serious injuries, but two near death experiences. One involved French drivers and the fact that like in the states the pedestrian crossway just means speed up. And the second involved me being graceful and falling over into traffic by Notre Dame cathedral after getting my shoe caught in the bike. The car that was speeding towards me swerved and I did not get run over, but I was shakey for a bit. My guardian angel was on overdrive today.

Tags: Fat Tire Bike Tour,Laundry,Night tour,Seine River Cruise
Categories: Becky Blogs, Paris
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We came. We saw. We kicked Mona’s arse. We had a 4 day museum pass and with a little modification it turned into a 5 day museum pass. We did so many museums it was a blur. Seeing literally 1000’s of pieces of art. After five days of museums it feels like a hang over of high art intoxication. I like that phrase high art intoxication or being drunk on art. Maybe I do have some writing skills. Naaaaa.

Below are pieces of art that I liked from the coolest museums in Paris. The Musee d’Orsay or Orsay Museum has mostly Impressionism works. Its soothing on the eye pallet and less hectic than the Louvre. A must see in my humble option.

Tags: Cabanel,Degas,Manet,Mittet,Musee d'Orsay,nude women,Orsay Museum,Renoir,Van Gogh
Categories: Chris Blogs, Paris
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Ok so I knew it was wrong. But Chris said it would be ok since I was injured yesterday. And I knew that is not an excuse, but we still used our 4 day museum pass for a 5^th day and went to the Orsay museum to see the Impressionists. Please don’t tell God or the French government I lied.

Orsay was a very pretty museum, not just because of the artwork that it held, but also because of the location. It used to be a train station. We saw Manets, Monets, Van Goghs, Rembrandts, etc. My favorite Monets were here like the waterlillies and the painting of that bridge at giverny. Also saw VanGogh and the room he painted at Arles, France. (I think that is where he went crazy and cut off his own ear). You gotta love that. It was fabulous. I wish we had more time here but basically we just ended up running around with the camera and taking pics and video. I am sure it looks silly on film, probably also looked silly in person.

Tags: Arles,Impressionism,Manet,Monet,Musee de Orsay,Orsay Museum,Rembrandt,Van Gogh
Categories: Becky Blogs, Paris
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So, it’s museum pass day number 4 and Chris realizes (finally) that we are nowhere close to finishing all the stuff to do in Paris. So today we tried to do too much. On the schedule was Rodin museum, sewer tours, Arc de Triomphe and Louvre part two. HAH!!! I say looking back. I was psycho for thinking that my boyfriend and me, who don’t wake up before noon, could get all that done. But we tried!

Rodin was great. That man could sculpt. He sculpted so much that it filled up the whole house and then some. The gardens were so nice (of course I got yelled at when I sat on the grass – I mean who knew you could not sit on the grass – geez, these French people and their perfect gardens). Saw the THINKER, and the GATES of HELL and lots of others. It was one of my favorite museums. Chris of course had to go up to the gates of hell and “Knock”. Lol. Oh the silly things we end up doing just to make ourselves laugh.

Sewer tour was educational but VERY STINKY. I learned that I never want to work in a sewer. I also learned that those people who do should be either sainted by the Pope or knighted by the Queen.

Le Tour Eiffel, was enchanting. Had a picnic dinner under it (in an area where you could sit on the grass). Had thought about going to the top, but too expensive and we had already had a view of the city from Notre Dame.

Omitted today was Louvre 2 and Arc de Triomphe due to the fact that on the way to Rodin I fell and twisted my knee, Why am I a klutz? Anyway, more stairs were a no go. Wishing I had ice or an ace wrap.

Tags: Le Tour Eiffel,Paris Sewer Tour,Rodin
Categories: Becky Blogs, Paris
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