Wednesday, I had my Art History class. We went to St. Chapelle, the Consierge, and Notre Dame. They were all pretty impressive, I'm not quite sure which was my favorite.
Our first stop was St. Chapelle. It was built by Louis IX, specifically as a house for all the relics he took from Constantinople. One thing that is especially important to Catholics are their relics - they are pieces (whether a bone or a scrap of their clothing) of the Apostles, Saints, and even Christ, that if you come near, you can receive the love of God. It is quite odd to me, and I don't completely understand why they do this. It seems that those things would have decomposed years ago.
Anyways, this cathedral was private for the royal household. The lower chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and was built to look like a tomb. I don't remember why, but it was important for architect's sake, it was an important bulwark for the structure. It braces the upper chapel, which is all almost made out of windows - it's really impressive.
Lower chapel
Lower chapel still
Then we moved to the upper chapel. Dang, but those windows can sure take your breath away. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on which way you look at it), they were going through renovations, so the whole back of the chapel was blocked off, windows and everything. No matter - it was still quite the experience.
These windows are so tall! It's supposed to give the effect that you are in heaven. There is a "false ceiling" right at the bottom of the windows. I don't know if that quite makes sense, but I sure loved what my professor said: we are enclosed by walls, and then the sky "opens up." Light is very important. Light is God, and building such grand windows literalizes the presence of God.
Notice a difference with the glass? All the other windows are blue and red, while the rose window has lots of white and yellow in it. The rose window is not original. (Speaking of which, 2/3 of the glass in St. Chapelle is original.) During the 13th century, all windows were made with blue and red because they were the easiest colors to make. In the 14th/15th centuries, they figured out that silver oxide (?) makes yellow, and so they added a lot of that to their windows. (It also made lots of new colors, like green and orange.) Also, during the 14th century, white glass was super popular. It let in more light. It's a miracle that most of the windows here have lasted that era.
Statue of a saint, and the medallion to the left of him shows how he was martyred. I don't quite remember what happened to this fellow - I think he was beheaded? Except that I don't see his head rolling anywhere.
La St. Chapelle really was impressive and beautiful and a great jaw-dropping experience. I definitely recommend this to anyone who will visit Paris. It was 8 euros to get it (but I think that was with our student passes), but totally worth it. Of course, I didn't pay for any of it - the school did.
After we finished here, we went to the Consiergerie, where nobles and such people were imprisoned during the French Revolution. I also saw the room where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. I feel so bad for her. Most of the time, all you ever hear of her is that she was stupid and childish and loved to spend money, but she was very young when she married Louis XVI, and considering her position, she was a very strong and stalwart young woman. The kingdom is crumbling to pieces around her, she is isolated in her own cell, and not once (that I know of) does she lose her mind/nerve. She really is quite admirable.
Anyways. Consiergerie.
And then we went to La Notre Dame. I have to admit, as beautiful and impressive as that building is, it's not near as beautiful or as worthwhile as St Chapelle and the Sacre Coeur were. And apparently La Madeline is also very beautiful, but I haven't had much of a chance to go inside.
And then we split. I went and wandered a bit with Allison and Brittany (two girls in the group) and we discovered a little staircase down to the Seine. We spent about a half hour there, and then both of them got down to touch the Seine. (EW! GROSS!) And then they both looked at me, as if they were waiting for me to do something.
Me: What? Oh, no, you won't find me ever touching that water!
Them: Why not? We touched it! You have to touch it!
Well, they kinda coerced me into doing it, and I'm sure that if I didn't, they would have thrown me into the Seine. Ah, well. If everyone were jumping off a cliff, would you do it too? Why not? Everyone else is doing it!
After we finished here, we went to the Consiergerie, where nobles and such people were imprisoned during the French Revolution. I also saw the room where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. I feel so bad for her. Most of the time, all you ever hear of her is that she was stupid and childish and loved to spend money, but she was very young when she married Louis XVI, and considering her position, she was a very strong and stalwart young woman. The kingdom is crumbling to pieces around her, she is isolated in her own cell, and not once (that I know of) does she lose her mind/nerve. She really is quite admirable.
Anyways. Consiergerie.
The barrel vaulted rooms, seen from the outside. The first floor isn't as well preserved in its original form as the basement was.
The basement, which supports the building
The room with a list of names of people who died/were executed here. The sign says "Liste generale et tres exacte des 2780 condamnes a mort a Paris." In other words, General and very exact list of the 2780 condemned to die in Paris. Really, I think you could have figured that one out on your own.
King Louis XVI was on that list
The room with a list of names of people who died/were executed here. The sign says "Liste generale et tres exacte des 2780 condamnes a mort a Paris." In other words, General and very exact list of the 2780 condemned to die in Paris. Really, I think you could have figured that one out on your own.
King Louis XVI was on that list
And then we went to La Notre Dame. I have to admit, as beautiful and impressive as that building is, it's not near as beautiful or as worthwhile as St Chapelle and the Sacre Coeur were. And apparently La Madeline is also very beautiful, but I haven't had much of a chance to go inside.
And then we split. I went and wandered a bit with Allison and Brittany (two girls in the group) and we discovered a little staircase down to the Seine. We spent about a half hour there, and then both of them got down to touch the Seine. (EW! GROSS!) And then they both looked at me, as if they were waiting for me to do something.
Me: What? Oh, no, you won't find me ever touching that water!
Them: Why not? We touched it! You have to touch it!
Well, they kinda coerced me into doing it, and I'm sure that if I didn't, they would have thrown me into the Seine. Ah, well. If everyone were jumping off a cliff, would you do it too? Why not? Everyone else is doing it!
The Seine
Me touching the Seine. Very dirty. I'm sure I used up half my bottle of hand sanitizer after this.
Then we went for a Paris walk. (Here's my homework right here!) It was called "Eighteenth-Century Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous: Musee Jacquemart-Andre, Musee Nissim de Camondo, Parc Monceau." Long name.
We tried to go into the museums, but we had to pay money, and we didn't want to do that, so we skipped that one. We ended up walking the streets and going to a lovely little park. The streets (as per mentioned in our little guidebook) are quite different here. The buildings are generally 6 (or 7, if you are American. First floor, for the French, starts on the second floor. A little backwards for me) stories high, and the most expensive apartments are on the second floor (or third floor, I think) because the balconies have very beautiful ironwork and are more easily accessible. The top floors are obviously cheaper. And perhaps a killer when you're moving in and out.
Then we went to Parc Monceau. It's very charming, and I wouldn't mind going back there sometime. It's mostly a family park. A lot of it was fenced off, but still kids somehow manage to get back there and climb on all the statues. It was really cute.
Gorgeous
Beautiful bridge. Reminded me of Mary Poppins
Horses!
We tried to go into the museums, but we had to pay money, and we didn't want to do that, so we skipped that one. We ended up walking the streets and going to a lovely little park. The streets (as per mentioned in our little guidebook) are quite different here. The buildings are generally 6 (or 7, if you are American. First floor, for the French, starts on the second floor. A little backwards for me) stories high, and the most expensive apartments are on the second floor (or third floor, I think) because the balconies have very beautiful ironwork and are more easily accessible. The top floors are obviously cheaper. And perhaps a killer when you're moving in and out.
The buildings. It felt a little crowded.
Random Chinese building
Then we went to Parc Monceau. It's very charming, and I wouldn't mind going back there sometime. It's mostly a family park. A lot of it was fenced off, but still kids somehow manage to get back there and climb on all the statues. It was really cute.
Gorgeous
Beautiful bridge. Reminded me of Mary Poppins
Horses!
So then we finished our walk and parted ways, while I went to meet with this fellow in our ward named Oliver. He really is very nice. He had offered to show me around Montmartre, because I showed interest in seeing the the Opera Garnier. He had never been inside. Never been inside!! Holy cow, I could worship that place! Except I don't, cuz I'm a good Mormon girl :)
It wasn't what I was expecting, but I fell in love with it immediately. It's absolutely beautiful, and I really don't think this picture brings it to justice. Perhaps should delete that sentence because Dad is complaining that I'm always saying my pictures are bringing said architecture to justice. But oh well. Then I'd have to delete this whole tangent. What can I say? It's... whoa! Look at the time! Perhaps it's bed time!
If anyone doesn't know, the Opera Garnier is the setting for the Phantom of the Opera. And I love the Phantom of the Opera. It's my favorite book. I even write stories based off of it. I'm obsessed. Although, I think it is quite healthy for me to obsess over this amazing story, since it's helping me improve on my writing skills. So there. Don't tell me that I need to back off on my healthy obsession.
Except maybe calling this a pilgrimage might be taking my obsession a little too far...
Still, the Phantom of the Opera is what started me on my path to loving French culture, so we have that to thank. Sure, I took French in high school, but I gave up on it because of my teacher. So when I got to college, I discovered that I had to take a foreign language 202 (oh nos!). I was adamant that I not take French that I hunkered down and took Latin. Worst semester of my life. When I realized how boring Latin was, I decided to give French another shot (because I was going through another throe of obsession with my Phantomy stories, and I wanted to be able to speak enough French so that I could add some French dialogue to my stories). I took French... and I absolutely loved it. True, I'm not that good at it, but I can definitely tell that I'm improving. Hopefully. Perhaps...?
Anyways... tangent over. Opera Garnier was a pilgrimage. There. Onwards!
The official name
Apollo's Lyre (from which Erik sat and listened to Christine's and Raoul's conversation on the roof). Also, to explain the richness of the colors... I discovered I can edit my photos. The original is sorta dull.
From the side
Perhaps doesn't mean much to anyone, but I'll love you forever if you can tell me why this is important!!
Some of these photos were taken on Thursday, when I went again with another group who wanted to see a model runway, apparently the longest in the world. It took place at Galeries Lafayette, which is literally in the backyard of Opera Garnier.
This photo speaks for itself
Galeris Lafayette<<==over here over there==>>Opera Garnier
This is inside Galeries Lafayette. Oliver showed me this - the store itself is kinda crowded and overprices, but this is amazing to see in real life.
It wasn't what I was expecting, but I fell in love with it immediately. It's absolutely beautiful, and I really don't think this picture brings it to justice. Perhaps should delete that sentence because Dad is complaining that I'm always saying my pictures are bringing said architecture to justice. But oh well. Then I'd have to delete this whole tangent. What can I say? It's... whoa! Look at the time! Perhaps it's bed time!
Except maybe calling this a pilgrimage might be taking my obsession a little too far...
Still, the Phantom of the Opera is what started me on my path to loving French culture, so we have that to thank. Sure, I took French in high school, but I gave up on it because of my teacher. So when I got to college, I discovered that I had to take a foreign language 202 (oh nos!). I was adamant that I not take French that I hunkered down and took Latin. Worst semester of my life. When I realized how boring Latin was, I decided to give French another shot (because I was going through another throe of obsession with my Phantomy stories, and I wanted to be able to speak enough French so that I could add some French dialogue to my stories). I took French... and I absolutely loved it. True, I'm not that good at it, but I can definitely tell that I'm improving. Hopefully. Perhaps...?
Anyways... tangent over. Opera Garnier was a pilgrimage. There. Onwards!
The official name
Apollo's Lyre (from which Erik sat and listened to Christine's and Raoul's conversation on the roof). Also, to explain the richness of the colors... I discovered I can edit my photos. The original is sorta dull.
From the side
Perhaps doesn't mean much to anyone, but I'll love you forever if you can tell me why this is important!!
Some of these photos were taken on Thursday, when I went again with another group who wanted to see a model runway, apparently the longest in the world. It took place at Galeries Lafayette, which is literally in the backyard of Opera Garnier.
This photo speaks for itself
Galeris Lafayette<<==over here over there==>>Opera Garnier
This is inside Galeries Lafayette. Oliver showed me this - the store itself is kinda crowded and overprices, but this is amazing to see in real life.
Next day, I stayed at home and did laundry. While I was waiting for laundry, I watched Disney movies. Then I finally got out and had dinner with the group.
Next day, went out to this lovely little patisserie called Angelina. It was very expensive, but the hot chocolate was heavenly. I spent a total of 13 euros at that place (hot chocolate and a dessert) and I recommend it for at least a one time thing, and for the adorable interior. It was very fun.
Next day, went out to this lovely little patisserie called Angelina. It was very expensive, but the hot chocolate was heavenly. I spent a total of 13 euros at that place (hot chocolate and a dessert) and I recommend it for at least a one time thing, and for the adorable interior. It was very fun.
I was about to go shopping with a few girls, since I could afford to splurge this week (I spent less than 30 euros this week (mostly for groceries and eating and such) - quite an improvement from the last week) but then we changed our minds at the last moment and went home. The I watched General Conference from home, since the Institute wouldn't be showing. We would have had to go to Versailles if we wanted to see in with the ward, but it's too far out of our way.
So then Saturday night, it was Nuit Blanche. I was excited, until I got there. Supposedly, all of the museums are open all night, all free, but all the good ones, such as the Louvre and the Grand Palais were closed. CLOSED. So we mostly walked around until we wanted to go home.
At least I got some good photos out of it.
Hotel de Ville
The Seine at night
My photo-op skillz
Going home was a nightmare, and I don't want to go into it. End of story.
Sunday, I slept until noon (and I am still not recovered from Nuit Blanche today), watched conference, ate dinner with the family, watched the last session (10-12 pm) and went to bed. I was really quite impressed with Conference this session. I am so glad that God is still looking out for me, even here. He really protected us when we were out that night on Nuit Blanche, and I'm so glad that I can listen to His prophets to hear His words.
Monday, went to class. Had dinner. Went to FHE. Both of them.
Today, it was super crazy. I had lost my watch on Saturday (the clasp kept on coming undone, so I have no idea where it is) so I am totally lost when it comes to time. I'm feel so naked and helpless without it! So, I'm late to class, and then I completely forgot to bring my journal entries for my conversation class (which we have to turn in every week) so I run home during devotional to retrieve that. I feel completely unprepared for my test tomorrow, and I want to shoot myself right now.
On the upside, we are planning a trip to Nice and Marseilles. We bought our train tickets and everything. So it's final. We're going!
I will try to update more regularly, but at this point, I've kinda given up on that. Anyone mind a weekly update?
So then Saturday night, it was Nuit Blanche. I was excited, until I got there. Supposedly, all of the museums are open all night, all free, but all the good ones, such as the Louvre and the Grand Palais were closed. CLOSED. So we mostly walked around until we wanted to go home.
At least I got some good photos out of it.
Hotel de Ville
The Seine at night
My photo-op skillz
Sunday, I slept until noon (and I am still not recovered from Nuit Blanche today), watched conference, ate dinner with the family, watched the last session (10-12 pm) and went to bed. I was really quite impressed with Conference this session. I am so glad that God is still looking out for me, even here. He really protected us when we were out that night on Nuit Blanche, and I'm so glad that I can listen to His prophets to hear His words.
Monday, went to class. Had dinner. Went to FHE. Both of them.
Today, it was super crazy. I had lost my watch on Saturday (the clasp kept on coming undone, so I have no idea where it is) so I am totally lost when it comes to time. I'm feel so naked and helpless without it! So, I'm late to class, and then I completely forgot to bring my journal entries for my conversation class (which we have to turn in every week) so I run home during devotional to retrieve that. I feel completely unprepared for my test tomorrow, and I want to shoot myself right now.
On the upside, we are planning a trip to Nice and Marseilles. We bought our train tickets and everything. So it's final. We're going!
I will try to update more regularly, but at this point, I've kinda given up on that. Anyone mind a weekly update?
2 comments:
Eric's home address? Just a guess. Did you see him?
Which of my watches did you take? The frosted looking one or the flowery one? Did you not get any pictures from the inside of the opera house?
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