Happy Bastille Day!

It's Bastille Day in France and I am trying to gear up to see some fireworks. People were already gathering on the stairs at Montmartre at 3pm today to catch the best seats. I got some great footage of street performers while there. I was also saved from the African bracelet vendors by the girls. They about tackled me to get the bracelet on my wrist so I'd have to pay.
Prior to Montmarte I finally got to go to Pere Lachaise Cemetery after years of fascination. Of course I saw Jim Morrison's grave. I was sad to see it looks so different then the photos I've seen of it. Someone stole his bust and years of vandalism led the cemetery to replace the entire site.
This gravestone was one of the most interesting I've ever seen.

I must also say I was very pleased with my very Parisian lunch of croque-monsieur Sorry Max, I had to do it (at least you didn't have to smell it). ;)



Update: The girls and I went to the Louvre to see the fireworks. What followed was perhaps one of the most wonderful times I've ever had. Over the past few years I've been kinda a wet blanket, this visit prompted me to ride the those swings again that I always loved as a child. Let go, let loose...it was entirely worth every moment.

Bubblies

A train trip today took me out of Paris into Epernay, home to Moët & Chandon champagne. A private guided tour took us through the history of the company, the history of Dom Pérignon, a tour though the cellars and finished up with a tasting. I now have an understanding why a bottle of this stuff costs over $100 in the States. What an incredible experience learning the complexities that go into the fermentation of these very select grapes.
The town of Epernay itself was what I envisioned Paris to be like. Such a romantic, quaint town with wonderful character.
While now back in Paris I can hear the city gear up for Bastille day tomorrow. Outside my hotel window a walking horn section plays outside. Life is good.
In the Moët & Chandon cellars during the tour.


Update: Had a wonderful time out with Dillan, Merle, Alexis and Megan. We went to the Bastille and watched the two stages of concert acts while Paris geared up for Bastille Day on July 14th. The French rappers were the best.

Paris is growing on me.

After an interesting introduction to the City of Lights I've decided Paris is growing on me. Most of the day was spent at the Louvre where I spent a great amount of time in the sculptures, but still got a well rounded tour of the treasures.

Parisians seem friendly for the most part as long as you avoid some very easy faux pas as attempting to speak French and talking on public transportation. Shop and restaurant owners are especially friendly. One waiter in particular even gave us a free portion and said, "This is Paris!". The forwardness of people takes some getting used to as staring is not an issue here. Good for me though as I have a tendency to space out and stare at people...I feel I'm in good company.



My meal at the Louvre, it's a fish souffle and really yummy!!

A good day of sightseeing for the librarians...

I know there is a mix of people reading this blog, but a good majority will be librarians. Today was packed full of sights of particular interest to anyone in the profession.

Today was spent at Oxford, a place ripe with location shooting from the Harry Potter series of films, as well as a myriad of others. Of special interest was The Bodleian Library. Photos are not allowed in the actual library, so I cannot reproduce the magnificence for you here but you can watch the movies.

In an attempt to pick up any creative remnants that might exist in the ethereal plane I ate at The Eagle & Child pub. J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis would meet here weekly to eat, drink and discuss writing. Below is a small peek inside.


Here is Ms. Penny posing next to the Eagle & Child menu for me.

Lastly I visited The Kilns, home to C.S. Lewis in Headington, just outside Oxford. The home has been restored thanks to the C.S. Lewis Foundation's hard work and voluntary hours. The gardens are magnificent and, while the home seems small from the outside, the floor plan seems to be a maze of bedrooms, studies, etc.

This photo was taken of the replacement wardrobe thought to be the inspiration behind Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Framed on the wall is a photo of the supposed original.