CONGRATULATIONS MIKE AND JENNA

In Jenna's words: she is radiating sunshine from her pores.

picnic et fountains in the eyes

Today is Bastille Day! Happy Fete du Bastille! Ok.. so we may still be high on various national celebration related things.

Like, a truly Parisian picnic!

This was all thanks to Kristina's friend, who also had a very awesome camera and tripod.

We all enjoyed our picnic fare, which included foods from a worldly span of kitchens (Spain, Brazil, Japan, Armenia, [France]...)

Then, we saw the best. Fireworks. Show. Ever. Seriously, Jenna was weeping. Her mascara ran everywhere.

(I video-d the entire show, but it's sideways and ~900mb... so here are some of Kristina's attractive photos instead! ..)

Afterwards,  I procured aforementioned tripod for a nice night-shot of Paris and the moon.

It was a very successful day for everyone. Especially for Jenna, and her surprise visitor! (nb: photo documentation lacking)

Sewers, ballet and crazy firemen

As we were enjoying pre-Bastille day festivities last night, the blog was unfortunately delayed due to our need for sleep.



Before being jostled within large crowds and watching firemen dancing on bar tops at the "Bal des Pompier" (Firemen's Ball), the day started out with a quaint tour of Paris' sewer system.









The sewer tour turned out to be full of interesting information and awkward smells.



<--- to read these hanging posters they make you stand on rickety grates so that you can see the waste water flowing underneath








It wasn't so bad actually...even these distinguished gentleman from 1892 seem to be enjoying their tour.














After the sewer tour we headed off to the not so smelly ballet at Opéra Garnier to see La Fille Mal Gardée.





















We may have had amphitheatre seats, but the view was still great!





















As mentioned, the night ended with an impromptu trip to the Canals in the 19th arrondissements to enjoy some early Bastille day fun at one of the many parties happening around Paris (that are apparently put on by the firemen of the city - who also like to dance on bars).

p.s. the second sequel

p.s. 

(from the cemetery)

(from a pedestrian bridge near Musee D'Orsay)

p.p.s.

(pixelated mosaic on Pont de Sully bridge!)

2 free shows, big bird, rendezvous

Today, Krista strolled up and down the Seine searching boutiques for Van Gogh coasters, a 1600's map of Paris, and a vintage Asterix and Obelisk book. Meanwhile, Kristina and Jenna took their turns at Le Conciergerie and Saint-Chapelle, but on the way found a bird market, and the proposed inspiration for Big Bird!

We scheduled a rendezvous at Saint Eustache later in the evening (because it is Paris in summer, this means nothing on the UV scale.. ask our tan lines and lack of morning adventures)..

Inside, we were treated to a free Sunday pipe organ concert! 

Further treating of the senses involved snacking in Le Pied du Cochon: (Kristina: profiteroles bathed in bittersweet chocolate sauce, Krista: La Vie En Rose sundae (with whipped creme, sorbet, candied rose petals..), Jenna: mousse fromage fraise (life changing, with pureed unicorns and magic))

Outside Saint Eustache, an excellent guitarist and singer was playing hit covers by the likes of REM, RHCPs, Coldplay, Queen, Muse, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Radiohead, Elvis Presley, and Bob Dylan. A few random guys occasionally joined in with harmonica and/or interpretive dancing.

It was an all-round great day for our ears, brains, though maybe not our insulin levels..

Père-Lachaise et Parc des Buttes Chaumont

After Lorraine was swept off her feet, we dragged our angry pieds across the city for some mellow stones and tree viewing (as opposed to the Canadian 'rocks and trees').

On our way, we found the French equivalent of Sushi Star!

Pere-Lachaise cemetery was very old, large, and full of interesting tomb-related surprises.

We decided to focus our stay on looking at graves of celebrities- among them were Camille Pissarro, Rossini, Modigliani, and Chopin (above).

We also found Jim Morrison's grave, which was adorned with flowers (one from the French Doors Fan Club), a bottle of gin, and an unused cigarette..

Edith Piaf's was appropriately surrounded by roses, and very classy.

Oscar Wilde's tomb was impressive, and also covered in lipstick.

Then we went to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont (we spotted the cemetery and parc as two appealing green spots to visit when we were on the Eiffel Tower..). It had waterfalls!

A salad bar!

Gazebos.

And the best climbing tree ever.

Whom we named Hermednapold!

Le Shopping, et Anticipation of Ballet

This Thursday was a day of bargains, strappy leather shoes, many many scarves, and a clock pendant necklace.. We also would like to put forth the case that shopping is an art form in its own right:

Exhibit A: dome and arches (byzantine?), wrought iron railings (art deco?), and gorgeous shoes (Ferragamo?)..

Exhibit B: Batman / Mickey Mouse / Superman / Skull face statues (art moderne?)...

Exhibit C: Prada display (plaster sculptures?)

Exhibit D: Lacy top hats! (Victorian Era couture?)

After our artistic indulgences, we took advantage of some more French culinary classics. 

Got our photos taken by an excellent waiter at the Richilieu cafe..

And bought tickets to a ballet at the Opera National de Paris!

TANKS from Invalides (for Dave)

So these are all the tank-related photos we could find in our voluminous Les Invalides album.

This may or may not be a tank? We thought it was cute though.

Tank propaganda! And a scary cat.

A tank and bank poster?

Tanks, horses and the arch du triomphe, 2/3 have been squashed by BMC students.

A tank diorama! My money is on the left tank.

And a jeep. Which, I would like to brag, is not actually a tank. But we like it!