The Paris wrap-up

Ladies, go back to mom and dad's house and find your old clothes, pull out the Z Cavariccis and put them aside for next year. They are all the rage in Europe so they'll be hitting our shores soon enough. Oh, it would be nice if you could find some in a horribly ugly flower print, SUPER STYLING! Guys, if you have any, they may make a comeback for us as well.

Another note for the ladies: just because you're stylish does not mean you're attractive. French women are very stylish but oh brother, they aren't exactly winning any Ms. World competitions. Oh and that little cancer stick dangling out of the corner of your mouth makes you look stupid.

Calves. No, not baby cows but those two wonderful muscle groups below your knee, how come French women don't seem to have any? They walk everywhere, oftentimes in the most ridiculous high heels yet they've got the most shapeless, ugly calves of any group of women I've encountered in my many journeys. Dammit, buy some Sketcher Shapeups or something, PLEASE!

Hey, you there. Yeah, you, guy who has stood for the last 4 stops on the Metro before sitting down next to the blonde.  Don't think she doesn't realize you sat down specifically because she's attractive. You may be French but you're not at all smooth.

I have to give my brother a shoutout for getting me to go the Luxembourg Gardens as they were totally amazing. I've always meant to go there but just never bothered walking the 3, yes THREE, blocks out if my way to get there. The flowers, lawns, fountains, walkways, and buildings were all great. Enjoyable place to eat some Boursin, baguette, and drink some wine. 

Speaking of having a picnic in the middle of the park, Philadelphia needs to relax the open-container laws.  The sheer number of people who would meet in the park,  the public gardens, in the river bank, or any other public space and have a huge picnic with wine, beer, and whatever else people bring was staggering. Old, young, tourists, natives, immigrants, natural-born, it didn't seem to matter. There's something really nice about being able to meet up after work/school for conversation, small food, and a shared bottle or four that I think many would take up in the city's squares and parks. Heck, I'll bring the corkscrew if you're up for it!

Reg mentioned about Paris bein the City of Lights, she failed to mention that at the end if June/beginning of July it is also the City of Perpetual Light. No one told the Big Guy upstairs to turn the lights out. I love Paris, especially at night, but twilight Paris (this trip that lasted until about 11pm) just isn't as pretty.

Let's talk about the sites for just a minute or two.
     Notre Dame: best church in the world as far as I'm concerned. We did mass there twice. Something about the place brings me great peace, which some of you would argue I need a great deal more of. It would've been nice if others did not take pictures in the middle of religious services, it's rude. 

     Eiffel Tower: I'm not sure how long Reg has wanted to see it but everytime a glimpse was caught, she went batty. Well over 100 years later and it is still a sight to marvel, especially lit up. 

     Champs Eleysee: you're much longer than people think. A big change has occurred over the past few years as rents go even higher (is that even possible?) is that there less cafés to enjoy but more shops to buy clothing at.

     Arc de Triomphe: yeah, you won, then you lost, then you won, then lost, and then the Yanks bailed your asses out...TWICE! Still it's a great way to cap of the avenue as well as a good centerpiece of what has to be the nuttiest traffic circle in the world. 

     Louvre: take me to David's "The Oath of the Horatii" and leave me there. Seriously, you could. I enjoy most of his work even though he fell out favor sue to being Napoleon's personal painter, but still think the "Oath" is completely under-appreciated. Go ahead, keep the crowds around the "Coronation of Napoleon", it makes it easier for me to sit in peace and enjoy my painting. Also, did you know there are tons of other paintings in the Italian Renaissance rooms besides te "Mona Lisa"? No? Neither did most of the people there. There's miles of art in this place and people will oftentimes make it out as she's the only thing worth seeing, BAH!

Okay, that's it for now. Next update will be about Brugge (Bruges for the Walloons out there). It may be my favorite place in Europe outside of London.  

 

City of lights, city of no right angles

I've been to France once before when I spent a few hours in Strasbourg. You can ask mom, I spent the entire time lost. I usually have a pretty decent sense of direction, but something about this country throws off my inner compass. (Coming from a grid city, I find the constant name changes and endless diagonals confusing.) Nick's been using this to his advantage, constantly surprising with the different sites of Paris.

Day one was the the easiest day for him to do this, since we were trying to figure out how to get places from our hotel. I think he may have been surprised a few times himself.Unbelievably, we're wrapping up day 4, but we've managed to hit most of the major sites and still spend many hours lazing in the city parks. We've visited the louvre, notre dame, the d'orsay, Rodin museum (which means I need to finally visit the one in Philly), Montmartre, so many neighborhoods and patisseres. We've picnicked in multiple parks, become fluent in riding the Metro, walked everyday until our feet ached, and then walked some more. And everytime we see the Eiffel tower (from ANYwhere in town) I apparently squeal "GEEE!" (pronounced with a hard 'g'.)

I find myself constantly comparing this town to the Paris of my imagination (the one of Gene Kelly films, Pixar's Ratatouille, and disney world). It is simultaneously just like all of those and unlike them at the same time. I really wish I could speak the language.

We've one more full day in Paris before we head to Belgium. The plan for tomorrow is to climb the Eiffel tower, either by foot or by elevator. We'll see how it goes!

Many thanks to Christin, Elizabeth, and Anne for their suggestions!

-R

A quick hello

The internet situation is not at all ideal. Suffice to say, we're here and okay. Reg is having a blast. Must be quick about this. Will write more later. Au revoir.

Soon to Depart

Twas the hours before Europe and all through the house
The humans were stirring, the dog quiet as a mouse.

The bags are all packed with some semblance of care
Knowing full well that soon Matt would be there

The Reg and the Nick eating and showering
While visions of Paris made Reg go wowering!

Soon we'll be off over the great Atlantic
So we bid you adieu, from Reg and Nick!

Here we go again

Summertime is fast approaching which means one thing: Reg and Nick on tour!

This year is a quick 10 day jaunt to France and Belgium. Okay, really, we're going to Paris, Brugge, and Brussels, but saying "France" sounds more sophisticated.

This was a much harder decision than it appears. Neither Reg nor myself wanted to plan a vacation, it has seemed like a huge chore. The decision to go on this trip was mine after finding a sweet price on an open-jaw ticket, into Paris, out of Brussels. We'll be gone from June 27th until July 7th.

This will be Reg's first time to any of these places and I must say she's pretty stoked. If she knows that you've been there I'm sure she's let you know and asked for suggestions. If you do have any that aren't, "Go to Notre Dame" (because really, we weren't planning on going there or the Eiffel Tower! {note, huge heaping amount of sarcasm}) please let us know. We're also thinking of spending a day in Chartres and if you do have any experience there, that'd be great. Also, Antwerp, Ghent anyone?