2009/2010 Itinerary

Okay - so I over did it with the pre-planning again. I cannot help myself. We have 10 days in Paris this year and new guests (my niece and her husband) with us for their first trip to the City of Lights. I cannot wait to share the city with them. I know we will have loads of fun. And ... from a quick look at this year's itinerary - we may even lose some weight from all the running around town.

Paris Plans

So what? It seems like we just got home from France. But I already miss it! I set my alarm clock for midnight so I could buy this year's airline tickets. Yes - I am already booked. Best of all my niece and her husband will be joining us this year.

Farewell Paris

It is difficult saying goodbye to Paris! We have had a wonderful trip this year. Ten days of activities and memories. We are already making plans for our trip next year!

LOVE

It is easy to love Versailles. It is easy to love Paris. Best of all it is easy to love life. These journeys can renew the heart to take in life. I admit it does that for me. New Year's in Pairs may be for me the best renewing of spirit.

King's View

And yes - the views are just as amazing in the winters when you too can feel like a King.

Renewed

The original second gates have been returned to Versailles. And- yes, they were gold.

Versailles Tip

So we shopped a little this morning - the sale have started in Paris! Oh me, Oh my! Good thing that we are off to Versailles today. Otherwise - I'd be in trouble.

This small bistro on the North side of Versailles may be (until now) the best kept secret. It sells one day passes into the palace. Not that we really needed it - the crowds have left Paris. We seem to have the city and surrounding areas to ourselves.

Wonderful, special and a rare luxury. I am enjoying it.

Sewers

Okay - it takes some strange folks to travel all the way to Paris just to end up touring the sewer system. I admit we missed it on our first 4 trips to the City of Lights. I don't know if I would recommended it for everyone - or anyone. But if you need another excuse to tour Paris underground then this is a tour for you.

6,000,000

Spooky

Four

We never take Line Four this far to the South of town. Today we are planning our visit to the catacombs underneath Paris. This statue is located just outside metro station Denfert-Rochereau.

Slow

I love snails! I do. I do. I do.

Banned

I am not sure where Nolde's politics lead him or that I agree. Ultimately his works were banned by the Nazi rule. He stuck it out - though good and bad times. He spent time in Berlin and finally in Seebull (which I have to 'google' later).

He did some very interesting work called 'unpainted paintings'. These watercolors and ink are strangely appealing works of art.

Much of his work appeals to me as primitive and brightly colored paintings. I'd have a hard time picking the work that I liked most. His watercolors and wood blocks were very nice too.

Reproduction

Oddly - Picasso was an early Xerox machine. Much of his work is actually a reproduction of other art works including Rembrandt. I did not know that. He copied previous master pieces add his new perspective.

Picasso's father was an artist. He encourage his son and gained him access to the best schools to study. Reportedly, realizing Picasso's skills - his father gave him his paint bushes and never painted again.

The exhibit at the Grand is wonderful as it places others original art works next to Picasso's interpretation showing us novices the connection between the two works. I was absolutely amazed to learn and see how Picasso copied the work of others. When placed side-by-side - even us novices cannot miss the connection.

Count Down

Time is passing quickly. It is hard to imagine our trip to Paris is less than 30 days away. I admit to have fallen behind on a few of my planning responsibilities. My Christmas shopping and Thanksgiving celebration made for good distractions! Oh well - time to finish up the tasks.

Can you believe we are already planning for our Cancun trip in Fall 2009? I could not get good AA Advantage miles tickets even when trying to book this early. Isn't that wild?

Vacation homework

The vacation research never ends. With the itinerary nearly complete - I have turned my energy towards researching the various artist showing at the temporary exhibits in Paris and some of the places that we will see including St. Denis and Versailles.

So far I have nine overviews completed for our Paris itinerary. Many of the museums in Paris don't label their exhibits in English. A little homework in advance makes sure the entrance fees are well spent.

Museum audio guides are well worth the extra cost too.

Making memories

Paris 2008 planning is back on track. I spent hours at Barnes & Noble and Borders Book Store yesterday. I purchased one of these Moleskine Paris City Notebooks. I thought I'd try using it as the binder for our 2008 itinerary.

I bought Avery 3 by 4 labels to print and add our itinerary, guides, and more to the Notebook.

If I do it right - it will make a nice keepsake for everyone.

Staying In Touch

HTC Mobile Phone from AT&T

I finally figured it out! After a ton of research and a few errors - I can now post to my blog from my HTC mobile phone. Many of you are thinking 'why would you want to do that?' It means that I do not have to take my bulky laptop to Paris. The HTC is WiFi capable so all I have to do is find a Hotspot. The built-in camera phone will let me post pictures too. Deep down - you have to admit this is kinda cool.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/welcome/