Paris in Spring (2009)

Until this trip, I have only been to Paris in the winter time. I did not know what to expect from Spring time in Paris(May). It did not take long to notice the difference. When I was making my way to the city proper from the airport,I noticed that the railroad track--usually very industrial and somber, all steel and grease in the winter time, was lively and playful, showy--covered with crimson poppies, blue lupines and all sorts of lively wild flowers. Sorta like this (though this was a garden outside of some government bldg). It was a very gay Paris.


One of the highlights of the trip was riding across town in one of those rented bicycles called the Velib. I did not think I was gonna enjoy it; but I was wrong. Dodging the traffic and bullying a small parcel of the road from hulking fast moving vehicle was actually fun.




Now for some cityscapes: the first set is along the viaduc de arts/promenade plantee








Around Place Bastille




The Great Pompi Centre


Some gate...I was just strolling along getting lost and chanced on this one


I think this is at the Royal Palace Garden:








Shops and Neighborhood walks:






At the Cluny Museum




And lastly, food stuff: Berthillion Ice cream


Beer and sandwich


Fruit de mer!

Brussels 2009

A coffee is always a good start:


Like all good tourist, we also visited the Manneken Pis


Belgium=Good Beer


As for the sense of place, it's something old and something new like this plaza. The church on the background is middle ages old...you can see those colorful tubular steel that are more contemporary. I like the juxtaposition. It's spicy one may say.


The city is well tagged. The tags are not hidden; they are right smack front row center. They don't hide in the fringes. They are a big part of the landscape. This one is by the National Library






More beer; the balm for all that sight seeing


I never get tired of old magnificent churches; that this happens to be a Catholic Church makes it so much more comforting




Brussells is a huge interior design destination. One of their neighborhood is devoted to this art. Here are a couple storefronts from the neighborhood.




They also have a bumping flea market scene:






Did I mention they got good beer?


Accompanying me on this trip is my good friend Dan who grazed most of the beer shots.
What is not included in these photos are:
Their amazing chocolate, tasty seafood,gaufre (pardon the spelling), bumping bar scene, mussels, lace, and friendly friendly english speaking locals.

Paris

The Eiffel Tower lights up like a Christmas tree on the hour at night (it sparkles, something that I did not capture with this shot)


What these photos don't show are the pains of traveling in Paris. It's that language barrier combined with the Parisian Haught. They are not mean spirited. They are just very good at expressing displeasure at one's faux pas. And as a tourist, I can't help but do faux pas.  It takes an amazing resolve to act gracefully under such an open display of irritation. But it's all worth it. It's the price I pay for that snappy crust on a baguette, for Monoprix, for the Orsay Museum, for a demi, or for a nice stroll along the Seine.  

For Scale


View of the old "new bridge"


Pompidou Center (Contemporary and Modern Art Museum)


Pompidou Center Interior



Chair from Tuileries Garden

Chilin' at the Garden (notice the chair)


Finally made it the Louvre...Awestruck the whole time by the collection
Winged Victory of Samothrace hallway

The mob of tourist are definitely part of the experience...by Mona Lisa

Frieze of Archers...pardon the angle, it was the only way to get a decent shot with my shoddy camera


It snowed while I was there. Lucky since it does not happen that often




Food Shots
This was an unexpected dish...I knew I got lamb...I just did not know I ordered the kidney...I am assuming these are kidneys based on the uriney after taste


Count the cheese...there are about 8 and these are all from one region of France. This is why I go to France.


A (s)tag