I don't believe it. I can't believe it. It can't possibly be true. I get reminding myself that correlation is not causation. This can't be me. I am not the cause of these distant events.
But the facts are there. A few hours before I depart for Paris there is a major terrorist attack in the city. Today, few hours before I depart for Istanbul there is a major terrorist attack in the city. Is there some hidden connection here or am I just unlucky?
Mothers, hide your children. Men, bolt the doors. Soldiers, man the ramparts. Everyone, beware because I am coming to visit your city, your town, your homes. Be afraid. Be very afraid!
I know I can not possibly be responsible for the troubles that seem to precede my arrival. But if you reside where I am going, I am susceptible to bribes to encourage detours.
My stop after Istanbul is Jerusalem. Should I worry? Or should they?
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Day 60(c): A Little Big Man
Never underestimate a man by his stature should have been Napoleon's motto. He managed to conquer almost all of Europe, changed the map forever, lost an army to an invisible enemy (cold air), and led his adopted country to greatness and ruin.
Without him there wouldn't be canned goods, Germany and a French pastry.
Napoleon's tomb lies in the center of a huge rotunda attached to an ornate chapel and the military museum. The casket is made made of seven layers of different materials (stone, wood, lead,etc.).
Napoleon wrote in his diary that he thought the British were poisoning him while he was a prisoner on the island of St. Helens (the last British territory serviced by a mail boat). Napoleon's claim was verified over 150 years later when hair samples from his tomb were found to contain traces of arsenic.
Without him there wouldn't be canned goods, Germany and a French pastry.
Napoleon's tomb lies in the center of a huge rotunda attached to an ornate chapel and the military museum. The casket is made made of seven layers of different materials (stone, wood, lead,etc.).
Napoleon wrote in his diary that he thought the British were poisoning him while he was a prisoner on the island of St. Helens (the last British territory serviced by a mail boat). Napoleon's claim was verified over 150 years later when hair samples from his tomb were found to contain traces of arsenic.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Day 60(b): Orsay Museum
One of my favorite places is the Musee de Orsay. For many years it was an abandoned train station, too small for modern trains. It's a great open space for art.
The museum holds some notable works by a truly tragic figure. This artist was from Holland but did much of his work France. He was certainly crazy, spending time in an asylum, commuting self-mutilation to impress a woman, and an abject failure while alive. During his career he sold exactly one painting, to his brother (probably out of kindness and pity) for $500. His art was universally scorned by critics and collectors alike.
He said he painted what he dreamed. He commited suicide at age 37. It turned to a lose of epic proportions. He has been celebrated in popular film and song. His works now sell for over $100 million. Some of his work is shown below.
The museum holds some notable works by a truly tragic figure. This artist was from Holland but did much of his work France. He was certainly crazy, spending time in an asylum, commuting self-mutilation to impress a woman, and an abject failure while alive. During his career he sold exactly one painting, to his brother (probably out of kindness and pity) for $500. His art was universally scorned by critics and collectors alike.
He said he painted what he dreamed. He commited suicide at age 37. It turned to a lose of epic proportions. He has been celebrated in popular film and song. His works now sell for over $100 million. Some of his work is shown below.
Can't forget the pointillist movement. Some of these paintings are made up of over 250,000 dots!
Day 60 (a): I've Been Busy
Trying to get in my last tourist stuff before I leave Paris. These are a few photos from my visit to the Louvre.
The Mona Lisa is painted on a poplar board, not canvas. It's stored in a helium gas atmosphere, so it looks yellowish.
There is an Apple store in the underground space next to the Louvre. Amazing!
The Venus de Millo. The arms were probably supported by iron bars inside the stone.
Winged Victory
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Day 57: January 8, 2016
The blog has been on vacation.
I blame a lazy blogger.
Issues unrelated to the journey have interfered with blog maintenance. Sincerest apologies from Chuck and me.
Everything is fine and on track. Starting to hit some museums before I leave for Turkey next week. Photos from the Picasso Museum below.
The empty frames are how the Picasso paintings stored in the June de Paume were stored before they were lost (in a fire?, not sure).
I blame a lazy blogger.
Issues unrelated to the journey have interfered with blog maintenance. Sincerest apologies from Chuck and me.
Everything is fine and on track. Starting to hit some museums before I leave for Turkey next week. Photos from the Picasso Museum below.
I dated these three women.
I married this one.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Day 43: December 25, 2015, A Couple of Snags
Not to worry by the title I am still heading to Kysyl. But I have managed to hit a few bumps.
Please remember that this is mostly an unplanned journey. I started with a one way plane ticket and a Paris apartment reservation. From there I planned to decide about and pick up contiguous legs of the journey as I traveled. That was one of the reasons for traveling in the off season, as it is easier to get train and plane setas and places to stay without the hordes of summer.
Over the past few days some of that style has served me well. On a last minute whim I decided to spend a week in Istanbul before heading off to Israel. The hotel in Istanbul looks first class and is ridiculously cheap. The plane tickets were $99 per leg. HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES! GOOOOOOOAL!
But I stlll need travel visas. for Russia, China and Turkey. Looks like Turky is very easy. I can get that one in Paris or on entry to Turkey. China look easy also, taking four days. I'll visit those two consulates on Monday and start the process. Russia, however...
Today I went to the Russian consulate (in the same building as the embassy, on the outer edge of Paris). Everything was locked up. I rang the buzzer, but the voice only spoke Russian, so no help there. I managed to decipher a cyrillic paper on the door that said the consulate was open 9 a.m to noon, but it was closed today (12/24). So much for the veracity of the Russian embassy web site.
Searching the web I find many horror stories about getting a Russian visa in Paris. I need passport photos, a bank check, an invitation from a travel agency or hotel and a maticulously filled out application. And maybe a fedex envelope. And it takes up to three weeks to get the visa while they hold your permit. Ouch! I'll be calling some visa processing agencies ($$) for help on Monday.
I have a back up plan. If I can't get a visa here, I'll try Istanbul or other capitals that I visit. If that doesn't work I'll extend my visit in Lisbon as needed to get a visa. I plan to enter Russia around April 1, so I would need to be in Lisbon by March 9.
I know. I should have applied for the visa earlier. Like from home six months ago, or when I first arrived in Paris. I know. But remember, the journey should be INTERESTING. Even if its self inflicted!
I hit a minor local bump last night. Showed up for the 10 p.m. cruise along the Siene River. Turns out they need a minimum of 10 passengers to make the trip (the boat holds over 200). We ended up having a total of seven. So, the tourist numbers REALLY are down.
Sadly a group of Rusian women were leaving for home the next morning. I chatted with them about my trip, first in German, then English. They didn't know where Kyzyl was until I told them it was the capital of Tuva. I don't think they fully understood why I was ging to Kyzyl.
Thta's probably because I probably don't fully understand why myself.
Please remember that this is mostly an unplanned journey. I started with a one way plane ticket and a Paris apartment reservation. From there I planned to decide about and pick up contiguous legs of the journey as I traveled. That was one of the reasons for traveling in the off season, as it is easier to get train and plane setas and places to stay without the hordes of summer.
Over the past few days some of that style has served me well. On a last minute whim I decided to spend a week in Istanbul before heading off to Israel. The hotel in Istanbul looks first class and is ridiculously cheap. The plane tickets were $99 per leg. HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES! GOOOOOOOAL!
But I stlll need travel visas. for Russia, China and Turkey. Looks like Turky is very easy. I can get that one in Paris or on entry to Turkey. China look easy also, taking four days. I'll visit those two consulates on Monday and start the process. Russia, however...
Today I went to the Russian consulate (in the same building as the embassy, on the outer edge of Paris). Everything was locked up. I rang the buzzer, but the voice only spoke Russian, so no help there. I managed to decipher a cyrillic paper on the door that said the consulate was open 9 a.m to noon, but it was closed today (12/24). So much for the veracity of the Russian embassy web site.
Searching the web I find many horror stories about getting a Russian visa in Paris. I need passport photos, a bank check, an invitation from a travel agency or hotel and a maticulously filled out application. And maybe a fedex envelope. And it takes up to three weeks to get the visa while they hold your permit. Ouch! I'll be calling some visa processing agencies ($$) for help on Monday.
I have a back up plan. If I can't get a visa here, I'll try Istanbul or other capitals that I visit. If that doesn't work I'll extend my visit in Lisbon as needed to get a visa. I plan to enter Russia around April 1, so I would need to be in Lisbon by March 9.
I know. I should have applied for the visa earlier. Like from home six months ago, or when I first arrived in Paris. I know. But remember, the journey should be INTERESTING. Even if its self inflicted!
I hit a minor local bump last night. Showed up for the 10 p.m. cruise along the Siene River. Turns out they need a minimum of 10 passengers to make the trip (the boat holds over 200). We ended up having a total of seven. So, the tourist numbers REALLY are down.
Sadly a group of Rusian women were leaving for home the next morning. I chatted with them about my trip, first in German, then English. They didn't know where Kyzyl was until I told them it was the capital of Tuva. I don't think they fully understood why I was ging to Kyzyl.
Thta's probably because I probably don't fully understand why myself.
Day 41: December 23, 2015, Odds and Ends Before Christmas
Elaborate holiday window display. Each large store has about five windows with animated displays. The kids love them.
Candy shop employees dressed up.
And their yummy wares.
Nice view on a nicely decorated street.
Another bunch of "locks of love."
A government building with patriotic lighting.
Another decorated street.
Apple erected this four story ad, topped by a replica picture of what is being coveted up. The entire display is actually s scaffolding cover. Clever.
Candy shop employees dressed up.
And their yummy wares.
Nice view on a nicely decorated street.
Another bunch of "locks of love."
A government building with patriotic lighting.
Another decorated street.
I have no idea who this character is, but he seemed cute.
A professionally made sand castle, made as a demonstration for kids at the Pompidou Museum.
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