The City of Lights

After leaving Brussels and the rest of the flatlands of Europe, we took off on a bus bound for Paris. Most people think of European travel on trains, and for most, this is the case. However, there are certain deals that exist out there, and we found an amazing rate to get us from capital to capital. And in a way, we got what we paid for. It was an adventurous ride with a crazy bus driver. After about only an hour on the road, he pulled off the highway into a rest stop to tell us that we'd be taking a 25 minute break so he could grab some lunch. OK, no big deal, we'll step off and grab some fresh air and soak up some of the sun that is shining. Then about an hour later, Emelie and I are woken from our travel nap because we've crossed the border into France and our bus is being checked by the border police in what I gathered from broken French as a routine border check. After about a half hour of waiting, a drug-sniffing dog searching the bus, and three young men being questioned, we were finally free on our way into France. Once outside the city we ran into some traffic (another downside of a bus vis-a-vis a train), but eventually made it to the perimeter of the city where we got off and got on the metro to make our way into the City of Lights. I had planned our route carefully, having had some experience on the Paris metro before, but once we changed metros to get the appropriate line for our train, we found the the line was under construction until the next day, so back to the map to consult and find a new way to our hotel. After changing directions and lines a few more times, we eventually found ourselves at our hotel. After a long, interesting trip for the day, we were happy to be in the enchanting city that is Paris.

In the past posts I have given a rather chronological account of what had taken place for us over the preceding days, but Paris is a large city, and we found ourselves all over the place over the next five days. So, for this installment I will merely be providing anecdotes beneath the pictures to give an account of what was going on. In general the weather was cooperative, less the first day where we had to buy an umbrella to take in the sights. Nonetheless, it was a fun week that was tiring on our legs from so much walking, but a great time for me being back in a city I had fallen in love with two years ago while studying here, and a great new place for Emelie to see.

Yours truly before the Pont Alexandre (Alexander Bridge) just before sunset.

The same bridge just after sunset and moments after it became illuminated.

The same night, once the sun had fully gone down, we went to the Eiffel Tower to be as cliche as possible and share some wine and enjoy the splendor that is the tower lit up at night.

The two blonde tourists before the Arc de Triomphe on a gorgeous sunny day where we probably walked no less than ten miles around the city, constantly stunned by the beauty and antiquity of the city. 

The entrance to the Louvre Museum. Though neither of us are museum enthusiasts, it was still quite cool to see the grandeur of this building, which to me was almost as impressive as the art contained within. Almost. From ancient Greece to the Egyptians to every type of early European art, the museum had it all. It'd be impossible to see it all in a day the place was so big, so even though we missed some stuff for sure, we saw what we could in the time frame we had.

Prayer candles inside the Notre Dame Cathedral. 

The backside of Notre Dame, its gothic architecture seemingly more expressive with the bleak sky behind.

Notre Dame again. We were both stunned at the foliage around Paris this time of year. Used to New England fall, usually by now all color is gone, but being in a different climate that doesn't get cold as fast, the process is delayed here a bit. So even though we came at a time of the year when the weather isn't ideal, it was a pleasant surprise to see colors like these everywhere we went.

Emelie being the artist she is...

(See caption above)

The artist herself.

Before this picture or the following creep you out, an explanation. We stayed a little bit outside of the center of the city on our trip because, as it could be guessed, Paris is rather expensive. Due to this, the 14th arrondisement where we were didn't have any of the noted touristy places to visit that you see on postcards. However, one day when walking back from downtown we came across the entrance to the catacombs of Paris. In the old days of Paris, those not wealthy or famous were buried in the outskirts of the city. However, over time and with Paris getting more and more populated, eventually these cemeteries became rather full. Thus, there was an idea to use some old limestone mines that were empty to move the remains of the dead to these vacant shafts. 

So, after descending around eight stories underground then walking a maze-like path for about a mile, you arrive at the start of the underground ossuary that holds the remains of nearly 6 million Parisians. After paying the nominal entry fee, we thought we'd be aboveground again in about twenty minutes, but we were amazed at how large, and at times artistic, the display was. There were quotes about the dead scattered throughout and more bones than one could ever, ever imagine. Though certainly not the type of attraction for all tastes, it was a really cool and unique thing to stumble upon after a day of the usual Parisian sights.

More light-hearted than artsy bone displays, Em enjoying a coffee and croissant.

Escaping the rainfall in Montmartre.

What's a trip to Paris with your partner without the requisite shot of the two of you with the Eiffel Tower in the background?

The fall colors against the tower that won first prize at the World's fair in 1889.

I promise, we're not morbid people. The catacombs, then this--but for good reason. This was taken at Pere Lechaise Cemetery, the largest in all of Paris. Not a morbid place at all, but quite beautiful. You see people that live in the area walking through to get their exercise on a nice day, it's that pretty. But on top of its beauty and location, built on a hill on the west side of the city with views of downtown, it's the final resting place of many famous folk. It's hard to find the graves in the labyrinth-like layout, but many make a pilgrimage here to pay respects to important figures from the past. Above is me paying respect to Frederic Chopin, one of my favorite classical composers of all time, and the man whose nocturnes are responsible for putting me to sleep many nights over the past decade.

Chopin's grave.

The grave of Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors.

Next we're off to Lyon and the Alps region of France. Though we had a great time in the City of Lights, it'll be nice to be somewhere more tranquil and among the grand mountains and lovely countryside that make the rest of France so great.