Wandering Presentation

On my wanderings I came across a church. I walked in and sat down. It was there I had my surrealist experience. Immediately afterwards I wrote this:

"I entirely forgot my location. Paintings, statues, and mosaic tiles cover every inch of the church I sit in. Displays of modern art spaced throughout contrast the rest of the building. Despite the splendor, I forgot my surroundings and got completely lost in places I've already been. I look up, take a moment to remember reality, and return to enjoying the church."

The picture is of the seat I sat in while this experience occured. Just as I was in the church but not seeing anyting around me because I was lost in my own head, this picture is within the church but you cannot see any of its grandeur.

Wish me luck!

Second Time Around

I went to Notre Dame for the second time today. It was packed, as it is Sunday, and stuff was going on. There was an organ concert while Sarah and I were there. My personal opinion is that the organ playing is a bit creepy. The organist had mad skills, but the song was a tad on the eerie side. After the song ended and I'd taken enough pictures (mostly of the Rosette windows- I LOVE them) we headed outside. Behind the cathedral there's a small park with a bunch of benches. We sat under the trees while people passed, children played on the toys, and an old man played the harmonica. It was fantastic. I love Notre Dame.

Sacre Coeur

I went here today:

You can't miss it. In Paris it's the big, white, domed building on top of a huge hill that looks like it had Indian or Muslim influence (it reminds me of the Taj Mahal). But it's actually a Catholic church. While there we got to see some sort of service. The organ played rather creepily and then a nun came out and set up a microphone and music stand and then sat down. After a while this little old woman stood up and started to sing. She was pretty dang good. A priest (is that right...I'm not up on my Catholic terminology) came out and spoke between verses. It was interesting, but I have no idea what anyone said. Some people were there for the service, they knew when to stand and kneel and even sang along with the nun. I think it would be so weird to have a church service with tourists walking all around, buying souvenirs in the gift shop, and street performers just outside playing loud music for their acts. I appreciate being allowed to go into such magnificent structures. They are beautiful and impressive, but I almost felt like I was interrupting as I had no idea what was going on and I am not Catholic. At least no one was taking picturs (supposedly) because that was not allowed. All in all, it was a good experience and I'm glad we went.

The Fountain

Here is the Fountain, on display in the Pompidou Museum of modern art in Paris.

Marcel Duchamp was on a board to choose art pieces for an exhibit. He entered this piece under the pseudonym "R. Mutt" (hence the signature). It was immediately thrown out, with no one (except Duchamp) understanding how a urinal could be art. Later Duchamp made a fuss saying he wanted to buy the piece because Mutt was the only entry that truly understood what art is. Art is not the object, it is the concept (according to him and the Surrealists).

So...that makes sense, right?

Happy Birthday KGB!

Happy Birthday to You!



















Happy Birthday to You!



















Happy Birthday Dear Kuuurrrt!















Happy Birthday to you!



















Happy Birthday KGB!

Flea Market!

I went to my first swap meet today. There was some awesome merchandise and great deals. And you can bargain for lower prices! I'm not very good at it, but I saved a few bucks.

Here are Sarah and I at the market:




















My first purchase-
I got a few Euros knocked off the price.




















My second purchase-
(I didn't barter for it. It was pretty cheap already and there were a lot of people around so the lady wasn't paying much attention to me.)





















And I bought a secret 3rd item (which I did some bartering for) but it's a gift so no picture.

Yay for flea markets!

Homework Assignment: Wandering

"As I walk down the streets searching for something "surreal" I'm distracted by shops and restaurants. I think of the souvenirs I need to buy for others and things I want to buy for myself. So I do. Then I'm fascinated by the buildings and roads. I love the windows adorned with flowers and how the streets make no sense. They suddenly split into 3 and the buildings shrink and expand to accommodate. Grand structures are found down narrow streets and magnificent restaurants with fantastic mousse hide in side roads. They don't need to advertise their grandeur, they simply are. I realize there is no need to search for something "surreal" for according to those who know more than I reality is surreal...a little boy just walked by wearing no pants, only underwear".

I wrote this sitting here:





















"We happened upon the Palace and Gardens of Luxembourg. Absolutely beautiful and dare I say "surreal". There is nothing similar back home. Being here would feel like a step back in time if not for the thousands of people with their cameras, iPods, and cell phones wearing modern clothing which surround me. I'm resting now, sitting in the shade watching people pass and birds fly by as sweat appears on my skin. This doesn't quite seem true- to be in Paris seems beyond reality."

I wrote this here:





















"We're sitting on the banks of the Seine, not too far from Notre Dame. Falling in the river would be disasterous, but I wish it wasn't so far away so I could dangle my feet in the cool water. The birds fly too close for comfort- they are not afraid of people. It has been a glorious day."

I wrote my final entry here:














*The class I am taking while here in Paris is on the Surrealist movement (hence the assignment. We'll be "presenting" our wanderings in a couple weeks")

*For more pictures of today's adventures go to my Facebook page!

The Passages of Paris

Why is Paris called the City of Lights? Why do the women dress so fancy? It's because of the passages of course! That's pa-sage...pronounced in French. They are pathways which go directly through buildings. Back in the day streets were all muddy and it was only through these passages that people could keep out of the mud (unless they were in a carriage). They had glass roofs to let in light, large mirrors to reflect that light, and gas lamps to keep them well lit at night. It was the only city which lit up at night. Trust-fund women would hang-out in these passages and could see their reflections in the large mirrors. They became places to show off your great style- perhaps only to yourself. Less reputable women also adorned these locations and many lived in the apartments above them. Men could go upstairs and return to the passage below...good times. They essentially became the first malls- enclosed spaces (mostly) lined with shop windows to entice customers into their stores.

We explored several different passages today. Many of the original passages no longer exist but there still are some- a few are still fancy locations.

Lined with shops (most are closed because it's August and Parisians are on holiday)





















Tiled floors





















Statues (only one had a statue)




















Clocks (all had clocks and beautiful ceilings)

















and glass ceilings

Parisians

1. Have been quite nice and helpful thus far.

2. Seem a bit stuck up.

3. Smell. At least some do. They should use deodorant.

4. Do not have good directions to the RER (train) but great directions for the train system.

5. their city is quiet- at least our sector.

time to find food and explore.

Cherokee People Cherokee Pride

I got a package today. It contained my new phone, capable of being used in France. However, it was not sent to me. It was sent to "Cherokee R. Johnson". I've been miscalled several things in my life from Cherry to Trudy, mainly due to my inability to say my own name clearly, but Cherokee is definitely a new one. Also, my middle name is Ann.

Auntie Chew!

Meggie had her baby! On July 31. Her name is Charlotte Cathryn Roth. Yay!