Heading home...part 2 adventure

Au Revoir Europe! I sit at the airport and can't believe all that I've seen, done, and the people I met along the way. I would do it all over again in a second.

The flight is almost 8 hours and I have a window seat!!! We are in an airbus - huge! I hope the time change doesn't mess me up too bad.




I won't recap everything until part two is done. Next journey begins on Tuesday. I am driving cross country to spend some time with friends and family. Who knows what or who I'll see along the way.

Next stop...


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an American girl in Paris

It is my last day in Paris. I seized the day. Mission - to walk the streets and take it all in for the day time (of this adventure)!

I tok the metro to Denfert-Rocheran. I planned on seeing a crypt. I got off and there was a line around the block. I decided it wasn't worth it. I've seen dead people and tombs. My next it was walk and shop at an outdoor market. On Saturdays and Sunday's it is state law that each district has a local market. Melanie told me about a great one in the 14 district, along Edgar Quinet. I strolled shopped and had an delicious egg and cheese crepe. I also tasted some amazing coconut macaroons. They had local musicians playing on accordions.

Got a little turned around on the way to my next stop, the Jardin du Lexenbourg. It is a massive park with gardens, fountains, playgrounds, tennis courts and a small but tasteful palace. Typical for Europe. Around one of the fountains are metal lounge chairs. I took full advantage of them. I sat and read for a while and took a little power nap. Not typical of me but I really enjoyed the scene.



Next stop was just down the road, the Pantheon. I was going to go inside but it was 8euros. No thank you, I've seen the other one in Rome :)

Just over a bridge, down the street was Notre Dame. Still a great sight and quant. It looks just the same from when I saw it 7 years ago. There were two long lines so I just walked the outside grounds.

After crossing another bridge I stumbled upon a site from my last trip a merry-go-round in front of the Hotel de Valle. I rode it my last trip here and have a picture on it. This time I just stopped and smiled.



Next stop, walk the enormous shopping districts in 3,4, and 5. You had stores that were small and cheap to high-end million dollar boutiques. Some of the windows were amazing. Not to mention the pastry shops.



Of course, throughout Paris there is music. I stumbled along a pick up group string orchestra! Crazy but cool. I enjoyed every musical note.




My day ended right back where it all began.


Tomorrow...home.

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Location:Paris, France

My final museum in Paris

Well, yesterday was my final museum on my adventure. I went out big...the Louvre.

My first trip to Paris I just walked my the museum and set my sights on Versailles. This time it was one of my must do's.

It was open late last night so I made it a date night with Paris. I was won over by a couple fellas inside.

Suitor #1 - Ralph



Suitor #2 - Jeań Paul



Suitor #3 - Marco


Conversation wasn't much but they kept me company as I weaves in and out of the gigantic maze. They said it would take 6 solid months to see everything. I gave myself 3 hours. I made a list of 15-18 pieces.

Here is me with the Mona Lisa; she of course was a huge attraction. I didn't spend much time with her.




After a few dozen master pieces I said goodnight to my guys and Ms Lisa.

I can't help but not always wander to the river and stroll along as I marble at the architecture and landmarks. I felt completely safe along the banks. Plenty of couples and groups.

Every hour on the hour the Eiffel Tower has a light show it looks like a giant sparkler. It last for a solid 7 mins. It is quite a sight.

Earlier in the day I had lunch with Melanie near her office.



Coincidentally, she pointed out the home of music artist Lenny Kravitz's Paris home. Hello!!! He wasn't home :(


In honor of him I had a great playlist made as I strolled in the afternoon.

One day left in Paris...

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A rainy day is still a good day in Paris

Yesterday was a pretty rainy day. I kind of too my time getting ready for the day.


Me at the Arc de Triomphe, eight lanes of mayhem. It was also the starting point of where I ran my first marathon. Quite a unique place.



Me in front of the Opera House; it is in the 9th district. Tons of shopping and tourist.

I also visited the d'orsay museum. It was quite a sight. I have seen dozens of museums and I haven't reached my overload yet...the Louvre and maybe the Pompidou. I just am still in awe of what I see. Pro sly because I really only seek out the stuff that interest me and I'm not pressed to tour with anyone. I hop in and out at my pace.

Let me tell you about the d'orsay.
Monet - huge collection of landscaping and water lilies
Renoir - les baigneuses and ballerina dancer
Van Gogh - self portraits, bedroom, countryside and house-great collection
Cezanne, Mattisse, and Toulouse Lautrec

They were all jut fantastic to see up close. I would kill my art history class now.

They also has a special exhibit dedicated to Oscar Wilde: the art, writings, fashion, design inspired by his work. It was a wide spectrum of influence.

The museum was fairly crowded so there were times I needed to distance myself from the groups so I would duck into another less crowded exhibit.

I also visited another pastry shop...it's what you do in Paris. It is called Goaselin; I had a fantastic almond/honey croissant.

In the evening Melanie and I has a delicious dinner at an Indian restaurant. It was almost as good as my former boss Roopal's cooking. It was a nice reminder of home.

Two more days of l'amour...

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From sun to rain it's still Paris

Well I've made a good dent on the city by metro, bike, and foot. I took a bike tour yesterday with a local company it was a big group. 14 adults and 4 kids. I hung back based on everyone's bike skills. It was nice, they don't believe in helmets in France unless it is vespa.

I saw the:
Eiffel Tower
Louvre
Hotel des Invalides
Sainte Chapelle
Champ-de-mars
Golden Dome
Liberty Flame
rode over the Pont Alexandre III
Place de la Comcorde
and cruised along the river Seine






The weather was perfect fall, slight breeze and sunshine in the early afternoon.

With the weather being good after the tour I was advise to go to the Sacre Coeur. They told me to avoid scams and all people who approach they will hassle you for money.

The walk from the metro is steep but worth the hike. I was approached 2 times; not hard for me to shake them off.




In the evening my lovely host made a great Parisian dinner. The baguette and cheese were delicious! After dinner we went to her gym and took a body pump class. Funny to be told to push and hang-in there in French.

Tomorrow...another day in Paris.

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4 museums - Munich

This is going to be a photo blog now that I have the power to show through my phone. Yesterday I arrived in Munich very early due to their their daylight savings. I made the most of it...4 museums. All of the museums in Munich are closed on Monday's.

So I visited:
The Residenz
Alte Pinakothek
Neue Pinakothek
Pinakothek der Moderne

I saw some great works by Picasso, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Andy Warhol.

I had a surreal moment when I saw the following up close and personal.









The view from the old town city center.


Along the way back to the hotel I happen to walk upon two different protest. One for Turkey - having to be about some suicide boomer in Turkey. The other one I wasn't sue about. But both had the full presence of the police in riot gear. Now I couldn't avid going around to I just stayed back until I felt it was safe enough to talk ahead.

Anyway, good times in Munich. On to Paris.

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A typical walk after the gym - Paris

I arrived in Paris last night after a 6 hour train ride from Munich. FYI...The USA totally needs to get on board with the rail system.

Anyway, I have lots to say about my day today but it will have to wait until tomorrow. However, my hostess, Melanie took me to the gym tonight. Such a treat for me. Well this is sadly the view the entire way too and from her home.



Bummer...right!!!
Au revoir!

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Location:Rue Boissière,Paris,France