Our intention is not to bore you with mentioning all of the touristy attractions, THE MUST SEE and DO in Paris list of every tourist book, rather to give you a taste of what it is like to live in this incredible, vibrant and almost always awake and alert city.

Six days a week we have been out and about in Paris seeing sights, visiting museums and getting to know the city. This was our objective-to settle in and see the city as much as we could like locals. Before arriving we had French people express surprise that we planned to be here so long. More than one time we were told that we can see everything in a week. Well let me tell you this is not true at all. We have been out and about, as tourists, at least 28 or 29 days with 4 or 5 days off for laundry and rest. Missy as Hillary says is a list maker and she made a list of all the sights we could find, and made sense to see. A month in and our list of “want to see” is still pretty long. We have about seven weeks before we leave for El Salvador to spend 5 weeks with our son, Kris and family.

In the meantime, while on this side of the world, we decided to spend a week in Israel and another week (a road-trip) in Luxembourg and Germany. Yikes!! That means we only have five weeks left in Paris.

There are so many hidden treasures in Paris.  For example, we were walking down the Champs Elysees last week when it started to rain. We had seen these very large temporary tents being put up earlier in the week but didn’t know what it was about. When the rain started, to take cover, we asked the guard at the entrance if we could walk through? Yes, he said and to our surprise he added: it is FREE! It turns out that this was an art show displaying what seemed like thousands of pieces of art by several dozen artists from around the world. These, as we understood, are all living artists. We don’t know art by any means but this trip we have seen a lot and know what we like. This was the best concentration of art we have seen. Our measure is “would we want it in our house?” At this show maybe 25% to 40% of the art met this standard. It really was so wonderful.

Crypt under the pantheon

Pantheon

To our surprise, a couple of days later, the same tents were used for “Art Elysees” a four-day contemporary art exhibit.  This time, the 1/2 mile of tents, about 50+ feet wide, with beautifully laid out displays on both sides, were divided into four sections (modern arts, furnishings, not so modern art and urban art) We enjoyed the urban arts and was not so impressed (or did not get J) the others.

Paris is world known for its temporary and fantastic exhibits.  In addition to the two above we visited the MEXICO exhibit at the Grand Palace and the fascinating “AGE OF ANXIETY”(American arts and history during the depression) at the Musee de l’Orangerie (where Monet’s water lilies are in permanent display.) The most impressive and moving of all of the exhibits that we have visited was “the color line” (African-American artists and segregation.)   We also attended the auto show that we understood to be one of the largest in the world. The displays were fascinating and we got to see the latest and greatest inventions (electric card, motorcycles and robots.)

One of our most memorable experiences was to visit the apartment/residence of     ‘Abdu’l-baha. Our sweet guide met us right outside the metro and walked us (group of 15 from various parts of the world) through a beautiful old garden (where ‘Abdu’l-baha took his morning walks) up a set of historic steps, to the residence.  A truly special day!

The other was going back to the cemetery, where Thomas Breakwell is buried.  Last time we were there we had noticed the empty planter boxes on his grave.  Thank goodness there are several flower shops adjacent to the entrance of the cemetery.  Richard chose the red cyclamens and I the purple pansies (those of you familiar with Thomas Breakwell know the significance of daisies J) . It was such a joy to see the fresh flowers on his grave andas permitted by the cemetery we were glad to be able allowed to take a photo of his grave.

And, I must say something about the amazing -historic – churches that are sprawled throughout the city, each so wonderful and unique. We make a point of going inside each church we see and sit for a moment of silence and reflection before heading out to the always bustling streets.

North rose window from outside.

Description of the photos:

1-4. 2 Stained glass, gold rose, tapestry of lady and unicorn at Musée de Cluny- National Museum of the Middle Ages
4. Norte dame
5 -6. Versailles
6 child’s Armor at army museum
7. Crypt at the Pantheon (remains of several wonderful souls such as Marie Curie and Louis Braille are memorialized here.)
8. Pantheon
9. Five more statues and objects from cluny museum
10. Bill board advertising the “Age of anxiety” exhibit.
11. Auto show
12. Intro to the “color line” exhibit
13. One of the many amazing paints at the “Color line” exhibit. The description says: “my educated uncle says we’re upper class because we still have a roof over our heads!”
14. An example from the urban art exhibit.
15-18. Photos of the garden, the stairs, the building and the living room of ‘Abdul’Baha’s residence.
Church photos
19. Thomas Breakwell’s grave
20- 28. Beautiful churches