Paris

I enjoyed Paris largely on my own today. Which is to say that the biorhythmic patterns of my travel companions and I have not yet aligned. They say they were “sleeping” until 1pm while I woke at 4:30am.

But the gift of a morning in Paris is not to be dissed. Cafe and croissant in our tiny hotel courtyard, followed by a neighborhood stroll. Watching kids head to school, the youngest in their adorable uniforms. Walking to Parc Champ du Mars and the marvel of the Eiffel. I stayed largely on the Left Bank. Lunched at a local patisserie (the baguette sandwiches unparalleled here!!) and then headed to culture when the sleepyheads hadn’t showed themselves!

The Musee d’Orsay is one of my favorite art museums. A train station repurposed in the 1970’s, it is a bastion of impressionist art taking over where the Louvre leaves off. It sits on the Seine and has wonderful light in the sculpture hall. The train station clock gives it a timeless quality. I remember discovering it with Harold, visiting with Vicki, then Jesse and Mary. Great art is hard to beat.

This exhibit intrigued me. The first time I’ve noted a very contemporary US artist, Kehinde Wiley (LA), working in large classicist style with a huge accompanying painting of the same subject below. He was commissioned by the Smithsonian to paint Barack Obama. His style range is remarkable!

The afternoon was beautiful as I headed back to Rue Cler. Relaxed with a drink until I found Gene and Mary looking for the same way to end the afternoon. Life is good.