Trip Review-Day 10 The Last Work of Art

The last work of art that we saw on the big trip was Delacroix's mural of Jacob wrestling the Angel.  It is a late work(1854-61) and an epic image.  I like stopping here not only because it is a great work of art, but it is easy to see and it is free.  It is right inside of the church of Saint Sulpice in the chapel of the Holy Angels.   Who can resist great art for free?  There have been books written about this painting and man's struggle with God.   What a great theme to end our trip but more importantly for Delacroix to end his life working on.   The brushstrokes are as free as Van Gogh and his used thick paint to emphasize the physicality of not only the paint but the image.

Trip Review-Day 10 Lunch and the Left Bank

We left Notre Dame and walked along the left bank.  The stalls are always fun to explore.  We found a few souvenirs and probably could have spent more time.  I remembered a small restaurant the had pizzas for cheap, so our group sat down for a reasonably decent lunch.  Pete and Rika decided to have steak, so they splurged.   I was hoping for one more pilgrimage site, Delacroix's mural of Jacob wrestling the angel at Saint Sulpice.  We kept on walking....

Trip Review-Day 10 The Green Bays.

The "Green Bays" is an endearing term we came to call the travelers from Green Bay, Wisconsin.  They all had an interest in getting to Paris and London sooner- since it was later.  Left to right: Gail, Winnie, Patty Jo, and Patty.  They turned out to be four of the heartiest travelers of the entire group considering the years of experience represented.  It is never too late to appreciate art and culture.  I think they really wanted to meet up with Pete and Rika on their turf, but who can resist Paris, Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Orangerie even in the wind and cold.

Trip Review-Day 10 Pinch Yourself

Pinch Yourself.  

When you come home and the trip seems like a dream.  Try to remember what it was like climbing the stone steps up the steep staircase to the Quasimodo view.  There isn't anything like it in Mankato, or in Minnesota.  How rare was this experience?  What did you learn from it?  Our life becomes routine and obligated, but you can think back to the balcony of Notre Dame in Paris and wish your knees hurt in just that particular way when you were  in the Middle Ages on one of the great Christian churches in the world.

Trip Review-Day 10 Gargoyles and city view.

After a much too long wait, we finally got to walk up the winding staircase to the gargoyle level.  As you can see, it was a spectacular view.  The gargoyles are so irrational they are particularly fun.  Could they really have been to ward off evil spirits from the church?  Could they be the guardians of the truth of Christ's death on the cross for our salvation.  I think they were the sculptors release from carving all of those tedious decorative architectural details.  I think the sculptors reached a point where they said, no one is going to check on what we are doing up here anyway.  Except that hunch back guy......

Trip Review-Day 10 Notre Dame

We gathered in the morning of day 10 and walked to Notre Dame.  Some went on the subway and met us.  The picture looks nicer than it was.  It was windy and cold.  It was like a mob scene at Notre Dame.  I couldn't believe it!  There was a long line to get in.  Once we were in, the crowd didn't really matter.   I think there was a feeling from the group that this was holy architecture.  It was our third Gothic church of the trip, but seemed the most spiritual.  hmmmm.  

We were supposed to met up with a guide from the agency. The guide was late and not the least bit apologetic.   We were without our little voucher, so we had to wait in line for the gargoyle tour.  

Trip Review-Day 9 After the Louvre

After the Louvre, on the 9th day everyone was on their own for supper.  Some went to the Hard Rock right next door, some skipped supper.   The "Green Bays", Pete and Rika and Sherri and I went across the street to the arcade that was filled with little bistros.  We randomly picked one and had the entire upper floor to ourselves.  We had a mix of meals from goat cheese salad to veal with plenty of vino to wash it done.   It was a hearty and authentic meal.  Here we are gathering after supper.

Paris