tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17793405004545372292024-03-13T13:34:35.894-05:00Connie and John Tour Europe Winter 2012-2013Follow us as we spend much of December and a little of January traveling Europe.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-79410962288260318792013-01-16T11:16:00.001-06:002013-01-16T11:20:38.142-06:00Final Wrap Up - We Are Home!I got distracted by the efforts of some at the University to document my competence in teaching what I have been teaching for the past 25 years with gobs of paper. Bureaucratic nonsense for the most part!<br /><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdP5mhP21PQ/UPbc556AhPI/AAAAAAAADHg/8n1-t2fPwmI/s1600/MVout1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdP5mhP21PQ/UPbc556AhPI/AAAAAAAADHg/8n1-t2fPwmI/s200/MVout1.jpg" /></a></div>
Here are the pictures I promised of the grounds at the Marriott Village d'Ile de France. No comments are necessary.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO1vqBGJCtM/UPbdUZmCjZI/AAAAAAAADHs/o_NPp4Z7Lw0/s1600/MVout2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO1vqBGJCtM/UPbdUZmCjZI/AAAAAAAADHs/o_NPp4Z7Lw0/s200/MVout2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10IrrlIvcAo/UPbdU4nMTlI/AAAAAAAADH4/lJ81WtRxkr0/s1600/MVout3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10IrrlIvcAo/UPbdU4nMTlI/AAAAAAAADH4/lJ81WtRxkr0/s200/MVout3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGTal6TVYuE/UPbdVTpoyiI/AAAAAAAADIE/X4KD6zWQEH8/s1600/MVout4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGTal6TVYuE/UPbdVTpoyiI/AAAAAAAADIE/X4KD6zWQEH8/s200/MVout4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HBdD2Vv6Y5s/UPbdWxxPAQI/AAAAAAAADIQ/dAIpKPEE5mw/s1600/MVout5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HBdD2Vv6Y5s/UPbdWxxPAQI/AAAAAAAADIQ/dAIpKPEE5mw/s200/MVout5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FrJnUpuS18/UPbdX5nRqJI/AAAAAAAADIc/9t-RuN0Fffs/s1600/MVout6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FrJnUpuS18/UPbdX5nRqJI/AAAAAAAADIc/9t-RuN0Fffs/s200/MVout6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLWBES5f04M/UPbdhxGeCPI/AAAAAAAADIo/Mh-gJSp3aKk/s1600/MVout7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLWBES5f04M/UPbdhxGeCPI/AAAAAAAADIo/Mh-gJSp3aKk/s200/MVout7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7Ufy_gy9mU/UPbdiQoKaXI/AAAAAAAADI0/87-vhiGSpCA/s1600/MVout8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Grounds of Marriott Village d'ile de France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7Ufy_gy9mU/UPbdiQoKaXI/AAAAAAAADI0/87-vhiGSpCA/s200/MVout8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYB5H4OXKz4/UPbeVtLGRTI/AAAAAAAADJA/x7M6ZfCSlhY/s1600/dOrsayclock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Great clock at Musee de Orsay, Paris"" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYB5H4OXKz4/UPbeVtLGRTI/AAAAAAAADJA/x7M6ZfCSlhY/s200/dOrsayclock.jpg" /></a></div>
On Wednesday January 9 we went into Paris to go to the d'Orsay which we chose not to visit in the last week of December because of the extremely long lines. On January 5 there were no lines at all, even at the regular ticket door. And we could check our coats! Splendid as always. No photographs, of course, but I did get a good picture of the great clock. Look closely and you may be able to see a bit of Paris through the clock.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8XOCIZiF0I/UPbfLH6Nv8I/AAAAAAAADJQ/0zkwGW-Zyzs/s1600/SC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Val de Europe Shopping Center Outlet Mall, Serris, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8XOCIZiF0I/UPbfLH6Nv8I/AAAAAAAADJQ/0zkwGW-Zyzs/s200/SC.jpg" /></a></div>
On Thursday we went to the enclosed shopping center 20 minutes away by bus. Wow! An Apple store and hundreds, literally hundreds, of top ranked stores. And the outlet mall (outside but connected) houses over 150 top brand name outlets. The rain had returned, but we were astounded at the stores and the crowds!. There were also 20 or more restaurants to choose from. We chose a brasserie and had an excellent lunch and dinner.<br /><br /><br />
Back home to pack. Off we go on our return voyage. Not by ship, however. American Airlines instead. <br /><br />
I have heard from many of you who followed our blog. Even if you left no comment or did not send an email, I hope you enjoyed our trip with us.
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John and ConnieJohn Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-6452107500625013282013-01-07T10:08:00.000-06:002013-01-08T06:08:04.449-06:00Monday January 7, 2013 in France
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--SMWAdwSsJw/UOrtYz1jFhI/AAAAAAAADBI/7Ww06ZXGVhk/s1600/MVentrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--SMWAdwSsJw/UOrtYz1jFhI/AAAAAAAADBI/7Ww06ZXGVhk/s200/MVentrance.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Another work and rest day outside Paris at our Marne la Vallée condo. <br /><br />Carole and Jay Haggerman wanted to see the inside of the condo. Here we go. The entrance hall.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOP7vuMgMSw/UOwLtd-GO2I/AAAAAAAADFw/Z_p6_fnsP5E/s1600/mvlivingroombest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOP7vuMgMSw/UOwLtd-GO2I/AAAAAAAADFw/Z_p6_fnsP5E/s200/mvlivingroombest.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The great room (living room and dining room combined)
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edLbZkXsn0k/UOruB_Jc9SI/AAAAAAAADBU/tVDZtska7FE/s1600/MVliving%2Broom%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edLbZkXsn0k/UOruB_Jc9SI/AAAAAAAADBU/tVDZtska7FE/s200/MVliving%2Broom%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The living room/dining room
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxs-l-zuznc/UOruMl-GPfI/AAAAAAAADBg/bsfkhHATs0I/s1600/MVlivingroom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxs-l-zuznc/UOruMl-GPfI/AAAAAAAADBg/bsfkhHATs0I/s200/MVlivingroom3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The dining room
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wnh-A7t9xYM/UOruUXwh5OI/AAAAAAAADBs/a0DvN5Y49P4/s1600/MVpatiodoorbetter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wnh-A7t9xYM/UOruUXwh5OI/AAAAAAAADBs/a0DvN5Y49P4/s200/MVpatiodoorbetter.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The patio
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv7NU8Syj8I/UOrub4QE2kI/AAAAAAAADB4/hu65HUl8wjw/s1600/MVkitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv7NU8Syj8I/UOrub4QE2kI/AAAAAAAADB4/hu65HUl8wjw/s200/MVkitchen.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The kitchen
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf75jeNbmS0/UOrujzxLFzI/AAAAAAAADCE/_wEV2vqAXag/s1600/MVwasdry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf75jeNbmS0/UOrujzxLFzI/AAAAAAAADCE/_wEV2vqAXag/s200/MVwasdry.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The washer/dryer
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWl4B0r_vFo/UOrusrzuQtI/AAAAAAAADCQ/oA7fX588dZo/s1600/MVentrancebath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWl4B0r_vFo/UOrusrzuQtI/AAAAAAAADCQ/oA7fX588dZo/s200/MVentrancebath.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The downstairs bathroom
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTom37AXUxc/UOrw16eMpvI/AAAAAAAADDE/wXAck-1P5Ww/s1600/MVhall%2Bcloset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTom37AXUxc/UOrw16eMpvI/AAAAAAAADDE/wXAck-1P5Ww/s200/MVhall%2Bcloset.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The entrance closet
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsuo9HF99iQ/UOrtPc2TucI/AAAAAAAADA8/x7zIQzx8dvA/s1600/MVentrance2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsuo9HF99iQ/UOrtPc2TucI/AAAAAAAADA8/x7zIQzx8dvA/s200/MVentrance2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The stairs up
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgKWfpcGQCY/UOrw-3iFT6I/AAAAAAAADDQ/VKXek7eJUvo/s1600/MVstairsup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgKWfpcGQCY/UOrw-3iFT6I/AAAAAAAADDQ/VKXek7eJUvo/s200/MVstairsup.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />And up some more
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsKDT_N3OmM/UOrxPMl8PdI/AAAAAAAADDc/1Q_tpyxTnOM/s1600/MVhallup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsKDT_N3OmM/UOrxPMl8PdI/AAAAAAAADDc/1Q_tpyxTnOM/s200/MVhallup.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The upstairs hall and bathroom
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DK-iAyGbv6g/UOrxwaZYmoI/AAAAAAAADEA/Ds9DhoONoI4/s1600/MVguestbed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DK-iAyGbv6g/UOrxwaZYmoI/AAAAAAAADEA/Ds9DhoONoI4/s200/MVguestbed1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The guest bedroom.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKkJmiDtU1c/UOrxbdTYa6I/AAAAAAAADDo/FTtKgGM0yog/s1600/MVguestbed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKkJmiDtU1c/UOrxbdTYa6I/AAAAAAAADDo/FTtKgGM0yog/s200/MVguestbed2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The guest bedroom. Another view.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrA3obrT16I/UOrx44xj5-I/AAAAAAAADEM/w0XtgHH5v4c/s1600/MVguestcloset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrA3obrT16I/UOrx44xj5-I/AAAAAAAADEM/w0XtgHH5v4c/s200/MVguestcloset.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The guest bedroom closet
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nTuFzm0_1pQ/UOryXJ2JT6I/AAAAAAAADEY/Pls4Va08sP4/s1600/MVmaster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nTuFzm0_1pQ/UOryXJ2JT6I/AAAAAAAADEY/Pls4Va08sP4/s200/MVmaster1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The master bedroom
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtmBB0xe2ew/UOryfPEL8JI/AAAAAAAADEk/nc1FQ6Ij_2o/s1600/MVMaster2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtmBB0xe2ew/UOryfPEL8JI/AAAAAAAADEk/nc1FQ6Ij_2o/s200/MVMaster2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The master bathroom with closet open.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QunH6zR0YwM/UOryy0yJWUI/AAAAAAAADEw/aTPakn6ShyU/s1600/MVmasterbath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="133" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QunH6zR0YwM/UOryy0yJWUI/AAAAAAAADEw/aTPakn6ShyU/s200/MVmasterbath1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The master bathroom
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nK1Ylc_UmTc/UOry5L8d_QI/AAAAAAAADE8/ptJNhhq0wMc/s1600/MVmasterbath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nK1Ylc_UmTc/UOry5L8d_QI/AAAAAAAADE8/ptJNhhq0wMc/s200/MVmasterbath2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The toilet and bidet.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxEJHiL_xG0/UOrzAHcAe2I/AAAAAAAADFI/6mP4Q8jaSJI/s1600/MVMaster%2Bbath3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Inside our condo." title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxEJHiL_xG0/UOrzAHcAe2I/AAAAAAAADFI/6mP4Q8jaSJI/s200/MVMaster%2Bbath3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The master bath.<br /><br />
Tomorrow we will tour the grounds.<br /><br />
Back to work on my class.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-65544400713594272452013-01-06T04:30:00.001-06:002013-01-06T05:23:15.684-06:00Quiet Time, Work Time at the Condo
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm1nLOmMSOA/UOlbQ1tbQrI/AAAAAAAAC_k/qIz-jlV-hn0/s1600/MVF%2BFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Front view of our condoat Marriott Village d'Ill de France near Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm1nLOmMSOA/UOlbQ1tbQrI/AAAAAAAAC_k/qIz-jlV-hn0/s200/MVF%2BFront.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We are in our condo (well one of our weeks) at <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/pardp-marriotts-village-dlle-de-france/">Marriott Village d'Ille de France</a> near Disneyworld Paris. Here is a view of the front of our unit for this visit.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsUx4CU-_l0/UOlbsAB9RPI/AAAAAAAAC_w/nqYPp_Q3eIU/s1600/MVFBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Rear view of our condo at Marriott Village d'Ill de France near Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsUx4CU-_l0/UOlbsAB9RPI/AAAAAAAAC_w/nqYPp_Q3eIU/s200/MVFBack.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />And here is the view from the rear.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JWA0o4ReTWA/UOlb9dYDjjI/AAAAAAAAC_8/TIh9pcUjZbI/s1600/MVFDucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Ducks in pond behind our condo at Marriott Village d'Ill de France near Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JWA0o4ReTWA/UOlb9dYDjjI/AAAAAAAAC_8/TIh9pcUjZbI/s200/MVFDucks.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />As intended, we are having quiet time and work time in France. These ducks are also enjoying a quiet time in the pond just back of our unit.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUtc9LnjSxw/UOlcSy9LFJI/AAAAAAAADAI/SOZPT6aozE8/s1600/MVFBackview1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="View from rear patio of our condo at at Marriott Village d'Ill de France near Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUtc9LnjSxw/UOlcSy9LFJI/AAAAAAAADAI/SOZPT6aozE8/s200/MVFBackview1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We also have a golf course just behibd us. We have seen golfers every day. I failed to include any in my picture, however.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qkx6PA7dHbI/UOlcqRypkII/AAAAAAAADAU/Fp-F875SWpE/s1600/MVFBackview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="View from rear patio of our condo at at Marriott Village d'Ill de France near Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qkx6PA7dHbI/UOlcqRypkII/AAAAAAAADAU/Fp-F875SWpE/s200/MVFBackview2.jpg" /></a></div>
This is another view from our patio. The golf course is on the left, the duck pond in the center, and other condos to the right.<br /> <br />
Friday night we went by bus to a nearby shopping center for Italian food. I needed some lasagna! Last night we went to the Chicago Steakhouse at the entrance to Disneyworld. I needed some steak. Tonight we will eat at the bar (or probably take out from the bar) here at <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/pardp-marriotts-village-dlle-de-france/">Marriott Village d'Ille de France</a>. <br /><br />
I hve been working on my class for next term. I have two major revisions still to do but I have already accomplished a lot. No interruptions. Quite. A wonderful setting!<br /><br />
We have two days left on our train pass so we may go somewhere in the middle of next week. The pass works for France, Belgium and Germany. I am thinking about Bordeaux as a possibility - to prepare for our summer trip.
<br /><br />I will continue to post something every day. It may just reflect the quiet reading and work we are doing.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-20087951968483560162013-01-04T14:51:00.000-06:002013-01-05T06:11:14.998-06:00Departing Montpellier for Marne La Vallée - Friday January 4, 2013Today we depart Montpellier. Before leaving I want to share with you the wonderful transportation in Montpellier: the tram system. There are 4 different tram lines, three of which extend deep into the suburbs. The fourth circles the city. All but the latter stop at the Hotel de Ville where the new Courtyard by Marriott opened in February 2012. All 4 of them stop at the train station (Gare de Roch). These lines are called the Swallows, the Flowers, the Sea and the Sun lines. Here they are:
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jan7CRCZnL8/UOc_VfNwtII/AAAAAAAAC8k/WVSPwtOGxJk/s1600/MTram1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Tram Swallows, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jan7CRCZnL8/UOc_VfNwtII/AAAAAAAAC8k/WVSPwtOGxJk/s200/MTram1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Line 1 - The Swallows (Blue)
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UWkRkTBd3AY/UOc_6_aezyI/AAAAAAAAC8w/--bmWoCd5Co/s1600/Mtram2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Tram Flowers, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UWkRkTBd3AY/UOc_6_aezyI/AAAAAAAAC8w/--bmWoCd5Co/s200/Mtram2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Line 2 - The Flowers (Orange)
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFuwiKnZ7LU/UOdAEmS5arI/AAAAAAAAC88/O7evXibcM-Y/s1600/MTram3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Tram The sea, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFuwiKnZ7LU/UOdAEmS5arI/AAAAAAAAC88/O7evXibcM-Y/s200/MTram3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Line 3 - The Sea (Green)
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-goW-4aOugkU/UOdANN1CgLI/AAAAAAAAC9I/fLB1xNVdAR4/s1600/MTram4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Tram The Sun, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-goW-4aOugkU/UOdANN1CgLI/AAAAAAAAC9I/fLB1xNVdAR4/s200/MTram4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Line 4 - The Sun (Black). We thoroughly enjoyed riding the trams. It is an excellent system! Trains are quiet, easy to enter and leave, inexpensive to ride, and constantly available. Only on New Years day did we wait more than 5 minutes for any line.
<br /><br />We are now on a TGV to Marne la Vallee. I hope the weather is as beautiful there as it is here!John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-41603513482100540842013-01-04T14:35:00.001-06:002013-01-04T14:42:58.429-06:00Day Trip to Nimes - Thursday January 3, 2013
Arnold went to a doctor at 10:00. Connie didn't sleep all night. jennifer decided to go to the doctor in the afternoon. Arnold took his pills and felt better. So Arnold and I left for a quick trip (30 minutes) to Nimes at 2:30.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-NSbisjOeI/UOc8URrS-NI/AAAAAAAAC64/w_Pa7grg7og/s1600/N1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Building, Nimes, France" title="Photo by John Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-NSbisjOeI/UOc8URrS-NI/AAAAAAAAC64/w_Pa7grg7og/s200/N1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We walked to the Tourist Office by a number of imposing buildings of which this is one.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q23sNJAy-ew/UOc8eD7BNvI/AAAAAAAAC7E/wE7mkuHYD60/s1600/Ncol2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="colosseum, Nimes, France" title="Photo by John Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q23sNJAy-ew/UOc8eD7BNvI/AAAAAAAAC7E/wE7mkuHYD60/s200/Ncol2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />There are three ancient Roman buildings in Nimes. We saw two of them. The first was the colosseum. Of the 200 or so colosseums still extant, the one in Nimes is the best preserved. It was built about 80 BC.. Here are several views of the colosseum.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dfVDjDF2tQ/UOc8lve4A4I/AAAAAAAAC7Q/oSjkKFPSPI4/s1600/NCol3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="colosseum, Nimes, France" title="Photo by John Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dfVDjDF2tQ/UOc8lve4A4I/AAAAAAAAC7Q/oSjkKFPSPI4/s200/NCol3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OTRUZHqZdY/UOc8tZIdBxI/AAAAAAAAC7c/kBZ-oO4D94g/s1600/NCol4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OTRUZHqZdY/UOc8tZIdBxI/AAAAAAAAC7c/kBZ-oO4D94g/s200/NCol4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9fK0KtJkrQ/UOc83HyRvII/AAAAAAAAC7o/j8Ksf27a6dc/s1600/NCol5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="colosseum, Nimes, France" title="Photo by John Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9fK0KtJkrQ/UOc83HyRvII/AAAAAAAAC7o/j8Ksf27a6dc/s200/NCol5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mqBREOfpP0/UOc9AYgvzXI/AAAAAAAAC70/hHUL_zXXcL4/s1600/NT6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Roman temple, Nimes, France" title="Photo by John Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mqBREOfpP0/UOc9AYgvzXI/AAAAAAAAC70/hHUL_zXXcL4/s200/NT6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Another ancient Roman building is the temple, a building styled after the Parthenon. It was built early in the first century and is the oldest remaining Roman building of this type in the world.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssad4dsfe1Y/UOc9InPIoHI/AAAAAAAAC8A/naeXOeiMCfw/s1600/NT7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Roman temple, Nimes, France" title="Photo by John Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssad4dsfe1Y/UOc9InPIoHI/AAAAAAAAC8A/naeXOeiMCfw/s200/NT7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We returned to the train station and returned to Montpellier where we found Connie and jennifer feeling somewhat better.
<br /><br />Tomorrow we leave for Marne la Vallée and the Marriott Val d'Ille de France. Jennifer and Arnold go to CDG for their return to the United States on Saturday.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-55923894650405105392013-01-03T04:29:00.002-06:002013-01-03T04:31:15.009-06:00A Trip to Avignon - Wednesday January 2, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ukpp3mCTjg/UOVaSKZsxQI/AAAAAAAAC3M/gRDo5EYL-i0/s1600/AAandJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Arnold and Jennifer on train" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ukpp3mCTjg/UOVaSKZsxQI/AAAAAAAAC3M/gRDo5EYL-i0/s200/AAandJ.jpg" /></a></div>
Arnold was at the drugstore at 8:30 when it opened to get more medicine for Jennifer and himself. Connie seemed better. After breakfast (croissants, tea, coffee, and bread) we headed for the SNCF station and Avignon.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eo70SYaHnkY/UOVaabngZeI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/h0hyLyRj3Z4/s1600/Abridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="St benedict bridge in Avignon, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eo70SYaHnkY/UOVaabngZeI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/h0hyLyRj3Z4/s200/Abridge.jpg" /></a></div>
We arrived in Avignon about 13:00, went to the Tourist Office, then had lunch. Our first tourist stop was Pont Saint Bénezet. The bridge was built between 1171 and 1185, suffered damage from floods several times and then rebuilt. At one time it had 22 arches. There are only 4 that remain. The 1668 flood almost destroyed the entire bridge and it has not been rebuilt since then. In the middle ages it was the only bridge across the Rhone River.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNRVZcVrt6E/UOVakNSBKjI/AAAAAAAAC3k/KUjwResb1bs/s1600/ABridgetoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="St benedict bridge toll booth in Avignon, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNRVZcVrt6E/UOVakNSBKjI/AAAAAAAAC3k/KUjwResb1bs/s200/ABridgetoll.jpg" /></a></div>
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At one end was a toll booth which collected levies on those who used the bridge. Revenues were used to support the hospital which was lodged in this tower.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsMrGNl01Jc/UOVasGtfmZI/AAAAAAAAC3w/HGRZ-Plthyw/s1600/APP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Pope's Palace, Avignon, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsMrGNl01Jc/UOVasGtfmZI/AAAAAAAAC3w/HGRZ-Plthyw/s200/APP1.jpg" /></a></div>
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After visiting the bridge (but not using it), we went to the Palace of the Popes. Rick Steves suggested that we get an audio guide to help understand "the barren papal palace …[and]…the complete lack of furnishings."
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NMfb5RcYKY/UOVa0meI93I/AAAAAAAAC38/7DkfEvGdiEU/s1600/APP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Pope's Palace, Avignon, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NMfb5RcYKY/UOVa0meI93I/AAAAAAAAC38/7DkfEvGdiEU/s200/APP2.jpg" /></a></div>
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The palace is huge. Like all palaces it has been extended and enlarged many times. It was built quickly in the early 1300s after the French pope felt more secure in France tan in Italy where the pope was expected to be Italian.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaPwLv7iGrU/UOVa7v7rwQI/AAAAAAAAC4I/GjrEz0BJKH0/s1600/APP3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Pope's Palace, Avignon, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaPwLv7iGrU/UOVa7v7rwQI/AAAAAAAAC4I/GjrEz0BJKH0/s200/APP3.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Church bought the town of Avignon and moved the entire papacy (500 plus personnel) to Avignon. There continued to fortify the Palace of the Pope until the papacy was returned to Italy in 1403.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFvcpFmub-c/UOVbDPK6G5I/AAAAAAAAC4U/mJQ7yEZo8bc/s1600/APP4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Pope's Palace, Avignon, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFvcpFmub-c/UOVbDPK6G5I/AAAAAAAAC4U/mJQ7yEZo8bc/s200/APP4.jpg" /></a></div>
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The pictures you see here will give you a flavor of the palace but only a flavor. We thought Rick Steves did not do the Pope's Palace justice with his less than enthusiastic description.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3dDbebD_UE/UOVbLNB2_pI/AAAAAAAAC4g/1JXeDWG1E8w/s1600/APP5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Pope's Palace, Avignon, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3dDbebD_UE/UOVbLNB2_pI/AAAAAAAAC4g/1JXeDWG1E8w/s200/APP5.jpg" /></a></div>
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After our somewhat brief visit to Avignon we returned to Montpellier, had dinner, and retired for the evening.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-34265223559741202212013-01-01T12:15:00.002-06:002013-01-01T14:51:29.373-06:00Happy New Year!<b>Happy New Year</b>
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This has been a quiet day. Everything in Montpellier is closed except a few brasseries and sandwich take out shops.<br /><br />
Jennifer has stayed in all day recuperating. Connie joined me and Arnold for lunch at Place Comedie. Otherwise we have stayed at the hotel where we will eat tonight.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-49202294807704388602013-01-01T12:00:00.001-06:002013-01-03T04:51:17.245-06:00Montpellier, France - Monday December 31, 2001
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Uzsy6qTnKk/UOMewu9daWI/AAAAAAAACyg/dosV4J_Iq3M/s1600/MCourtyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Marriott Courtyard, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Uzsy6qTnKk/UOMewu9daWI/AAAAAAAACyg/dosV4J_Iq3M/s200/MCourtyard.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We started the day with both Jennifer and Connie not feeling well but game to proceed.
<br /><br />We took the tram from the Marriott Courtyard to the old city.
Our first stop was at the Comedie Plaza in from of Montpellier's oldest Opera House. We went immediately to the Tourist Office. The tour we had hoped to take was filled but we arranged for a private tour at 2. Then we set out on foot following the Tourist Map guide.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b3tS7x5GVE/UOMfO8hzE1I/AAAAAAAACys/bvMRQ9SdjWk/s1600/MConventdeDominicans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Dominican Convent, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b3tS7x5GVE/UOMfO8hzE1I/AAAAAAAACys/bvMRQ9SdjWk/s200/MConventdeDominicans.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We walked for about an hour through the old city. One place we visited was the Convent of the Dominicans. The paintings and the stained glass windows were especially beautiful in this small place of worship.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ITWbmELrNs/UOMfbYA9MZI/AAAAAAAACy4/QGkK2D2h3sI/s1600/MConventdeDominicans2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Our guide, Danielle Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ITWbmELrNs/UOMfbYA9MZI/AAAAAAAACy4/QGkK2D2h3sI/s200/MConventdeDominicans2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiCjp0WNLGM/UOMfoEIhZoI/AAAAAAAACzE/TMcJ8-aBqkc/s1600/MDanielle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiCjp0WNLGM/UOMfoEIhZoI/AAAAAAAACzE/TMcJ8-aBqkc/s200/MDanielle.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We had lunch, returned to the Tourist Office and met our guide, Danielle Christol. What a wonderful guide! She took us on some of the same streets and lanes that John had led us to but we saw a <b>lot</b> more than in our first excursions. And we were able to enter several buildings that have limited entry. Here are some pictures that I took on our walk with a few comments associated with each picture. Don't forget that when you click on a picture you can see a larger version. When you want to return to the blog, just close the window. This applies to all pictures in the blog.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctOQAI6AiOw/UOMgDwPazDI/AAAAAAAACzQ/rMGsCM8RPTc/s1600/MmidnightstatueLes3Graces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="3 Graces Statue, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctOQAI6AiOw/UOMgDwPazDI/AAAAAAAACzQ/rMGsCM8RPTc/s200/MmidnightstatueLes3Graces.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> This is a statue of Les 3 Graces which stands in front of the older Opera House at Place Comedie. At midnight it was covered with people while fireworks exploded all around the Plaza.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUIFJX4FUq8/UOMgSQhMmTI/AAAAAAAACzc/7K4cb3FVMdM/s1600/Mhomewineolivemerchant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Ovive and Wine merchant house, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="114" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUIFJX4FUq8/UOMgSQhMmTI/AAAAAAAACzc/7K4cb3FVMdM/s200/Mhomewineolivemerchant.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> Danielle got us to look up! Here we see the insignia of a wine merchant: vines and olive trees above the beautiful door.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YggQhJJD0vQ/UOMg0HH8tUI/AAAAAAAACzs/E924tx3fEc4/s1600/Mwinemerchantpalace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Cupola, Wine merchant palace, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YggQhJJD0vQ/UOMg0HH8tUI/AAAAAAAACzs/E924tx3fEc4/s200/Mwinemerchantpalace.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />And here is the cupola of another wine merchant's palace.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GY38Tpwehe0/UOMhDYSXrRI/AAAAAAAACz0/ij49rFa72B0/s1600/MRochwindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Window on Cathedral and St. Roch in Eglise St. Roch, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GY38Tpwehe0/UOMhDYSXrRI/AAAAAAAACz0/ij49rFa72B0/s200/MRochwindow.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Inside the Eglise Saint Roche we found a beautiful window depicting the Cathedral Saint Pierre in Montpelliere. Also in the window we find Saint Roch, the patron saint of Montpellier.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUPKjdUBnQE/UOMhO0fl8YI/AAAAAAAAC0A/7e78RP9ig4g/s1600/Mtrompeloeil1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Wall painting trompe d'oeil, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUPKjdUBnQE/UOMhO0fl8YI/AAAAAAAAC0A/7e78RP9ig4g/s200/Mtrompeloeil1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> One of the interesting things we found inside the old city were several examples of trompe d'oeil. These are walls painted to look like real parts of the object on which they are painted. Here are several examples.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPD1k6BqmG4/UOMhZ3hpuLI/AAAAAAAAC0M/ffiUfE2rng0/s1600/Mtrompeloeil2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Wall painting trompe d'oeil, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPD1k6BqmG4/UOMhZ3hpuLI/AAAAAAAAC0M/ffiUfE2rng0/s200/Mtrompeloeil2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7lHJGmK4a4/UOMhicS44fI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/rrw7TA3_QIs/s1600/Mtrompeloeil3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Wall painting trompe d'oeil, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="114" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7lHJGmK4a4/UOMhicS44fI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/rrw7TA3_QIs/s200/Mtrompeloeil3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OetXpMutWyI/UOMht_bJzXI/AAAAAAAAC0k/KNIoon_kFtg/s1600/Mtrompeloeil4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Wall painting trompe d'oeil, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OetXpMutWyI/UOMht_bJzXI/AAAAAAAAC0k/KNIoon_kFtg/s200/Mtrompeloeil4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBA1fbaSBA8/UOMh4dLfEnI/AAAAAAAAC00/mvK3jnew4h0/s1600/MJewishBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Twelth century jewish ritual bath, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBA1fbaSBA8/UOMh4dLfEnI/AAAAAAAAC00/mvK3jnew4h0/s200/MJewishBath.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />One of the oldest places we visited was Le Mikvé, the ritual Jewish bath which was used fro the mid 1200s to the late 1400s when the Jews were driven out of Montpellier after Montpellier became part of France rather that a protectorate of Spain. The baths were used monthly by women and prior to important rituals by men.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpn1lBIF3jU/UOMiEhL-UpI/AAAAAAAAC08/wVVA4Ui5mrA/s1600/Mheidelberggardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Haguenot Palace garden, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rpn1lBIF3jU/UOMiEhL-UpI/AAAAAAAAC08/wVVA4Ui5mrA/s200/Mheidelberggardens.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Another fascinating building we visited was the Hotel Haguenot, a massive home occupied by a very rich merchant in the 18th and 19th centuries. The building is still owned by one family but is now divided into a number of very large apartments.
Insert MBicycle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ne4xKFJWC7k/UOMiQjbG1sI/AAAAAAAAC1I/6QDRv4xwx6A/s1600/MBicyclewall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Bicycle installed on wall, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ne4xKFJWC7k/UOMiQjbG1sI/AAAAAAAAC1I/6QDRv4xwx6A/s200/MBicyclewall.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />In addition to a tromp d'oeil on a wall we also saw several bicycles which began to appear on walls in the old city two or three years ago. Nothing is known for sure about the secret artist who has been placing these bicycles in the walls of the old city.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFWO5jbdvI8/UOMidnpadDI/AAAAAAAAC1U/Zqh5Fe7YJkU/s1600/MArc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Arc de triumph, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFWO5jbdvI8/UOMidnpadDI/AAAAAAAAC1U/Zqh5Fe7YJkU/s200/MArc.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Montpellier also has an Arc de Triomphe. It is a lot smaller than the one in Paris but you can go to the top by way of a 92 step spiral staircase.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WfjMq7RSfHA/UOMjNxHMQ3I/AAAAAAAAC1s/Gtyv3w2ELFA/s1600/Mtop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Group atop Arc de Triumph, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WfjMq7RSfHA/UOMjNxHMQ3I/AAAAAAAAC1s/Gtyv3w2ELFA/s200/Mtop.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Here we see our group at the top.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-fDHU715iI/UOMirHb4YxI/AAAAAAAAC1g/kOyb_JibzOw/s1600/Mtop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Group atop Arc de Triumph, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-fDHU715iI/UOMirHb4YxI/AAAAAAAAC1g/kOyb_JibzOw/s200/Mtop2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Where was I? Well, someone had to take the picture! Can you imagine me on the top? I can't!
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi_zzpoDWH0/UOMjcxYMlOI/AAAAAAAAC14/M2734CEBt6s/s1600/Maqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Seventeenth century aqueduct, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi_zzpoDWH0/UOMjcxYMlOI/AAAAAAAAC14/M2734CEBt6s/s200/Maqua.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />While the others were observing Montpellier in the thin air above the city, I walked about 100 more yards to a cliff where I could see the 18th century Aqueduc Saint Clement,that brought water to Montpellier from the village of Saint Clement.
<br /><br />We finished our tour by walking by the faculty of medicine, the oldest continually operating school of medicine in the Occidental world and the Cathedral Saint Pierre. We also passed La Giraf, a restaurant recommended by Danielle and operated by a young man and his wife. She was there as we passed so I reserved a table for tonight - New Year's Eve.
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We returned to La Giraf at 20.00 for an absolutely stupendous dinner. There were seven courses. First, we had a glass of champagne with a gooseberry at the top and a cinnamon stick in the champagne (not pictured). This was followed by an amuse-bouche. It consisted of a small portion of salmon tartare, a small portion of fois gras pate, and a lentil expresso (heated cream infused with cream of lentils) (not pictured).
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8h6pyBOjlp0/UOMjrSfyspI/AAAAAAAAC2E/Sguyd71IRTQ/s1600/MD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Oyster and sea urchin, La Giraf Restaurant, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="132" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8h6pyBOjlp0/UOMjrSfyspI/AAAAAAAAC2E/Sguyd71IRTQ/s200/MD1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Next came an oyster and a sea urchin. This got my attention and I took a picture with my iPhone. Both were wonderfully delicious and attractively presented as you can tell from this photograph. The serving plate was what looked like a piece of slate.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nc-Ia0dJlFs/UOMj6d_Z5uI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/zzWghlBgCMI/s1600/MD3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Pheasnt, La Giraf Restaurant, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nc-Ia0dJlFs/UOMj6d_Z5uI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/zzWghlBgCMI/s200/MD3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />This was followed by a wonderful serving of turbot on a bed of mushrooms and vegetables with a beautiful cream/fish stock sauce (not pictured).
<br /><br />I came to my senses for course 5 and took pictures of everything from here on. This course (number 5) was a delightful roasted pheasant which you can see here.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x33DnoHat1s/UOMkEmB8LrI/AAAAAAAAC2c/G4NLqvXGgec/s1600/MD5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Apple and cheese course, La Giraf Restaurant, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x33DnoHat1s/UOMkEmB8LrI/AAAAAAAAC2c/G4NLqvXGgec/s200/MD5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Next came the cheese course. On the left were three rows of what appeared to be cheese. The middle row, however, consisted of apple slices. On the right was a "salad" with a perfect oil and vinegar dressing.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6IdGJVaAcM/UOMkPSYdl5I/AAAAAAAAC2o/NrL9H6itnwo/s1600/MD4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Dessert course, La Giraf Restaurant, Montpellier, France" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6IdGJVaAcM/UOMkPSYdl5I/AAAAAAAAC2o/NrL9H6itnwo/s200/MD4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The final course was dessert. It was chestnut ice cream topped with candied strings of brown sugar and accompanied by a blueberry, a blackberry, and lingonberries.
<br /><br />Oh my, what a gastronomic treat and celebration. Thank you, La Giraf!
<br /><br />Just before midnight we departed and walked back to catch our tram. We passed through the crowds at Place Comedie at exactly midnight. As noted earlier ,the statue of Les 3 Graces was covered, top to bottom, with people. Fireworks exploded all around.
<br /><br />We caught the tram (the last one) shortly after midnight.
<br /><br /><b>Happy New Year to all. </b>John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-89488562527757977702012-12-31T10:48:00.002-06:002012-12-31T10:48:52.484-06:00Paris to Montpellier - December 30, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngvgQoEIPnI/UOHBb1fHCmI/AAAAAAAACx0/HtXpcPeJzxM/s1600/TGV1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="aboard the TGV to Montpellier" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngvgQoEIPnI/UOHBb1fHCmI/AAAAAAAACx0/HtXpcPeJzxM/s200/TGV1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /> <br />We are on a TGV train headed to the mediterranean coast as I write this. The trip takes 3 hours and 27 minutes. This is more than an hour more than it took for us to travel between Paris and London on the Eurostar.We are traveling between 150 and 200 kilometers an hours (90 and 120 miles an hour). This is about the same speed as the Eurostar When we departed Gare de Lyon the sun was shining brightly and it was between 50 and 60 degrees. We have had much better weather on our trip than have the residents of Spanish Fort!
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--uBcVOQgUCw/UOHBpJ_m1NI/AAAAAAAACyA/L3MXy5_wb-8/s1600/TGV2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="the TGV to Montpellier" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--uBcVOQgUCw/UOHBpJ_m1NI/AAAAAAAACyA/L3MXy5_wb-8/s200/TGV2.jpg" /></a></div>
John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-84406273984463754832012-12-30T15:39:00.001-06:002012-12-30T15:50:41.345-06:00Day 6 in Paris - Saturday December 29, 2012The day began with Connie not feeling well. We sent Jennifer and Arnold off to Montmartre while Connie went to the drugstore for cold and cough remedies. I caught up on some work, primarily email and grade complaints. I also had to do some additional work to prove that I was capable of teaching technology to teachers since I do not have "an appropriate degree" to teach technology. Or to teach aspiring teachers. Of course the issue seems to be being raised about 33 years late. Oh well. Higher education has perfected its bureaucracy as have the accrediting agencies. Just before they both disappear!
<br /><br /> I brought lunch back to Connie and later in the afternoon set out to get tangerines and salt (for gargling). On the way to the store I encountered Arnold and Jennifer returning from their adventures. It seems Jennifer had come down with a bug as well as Connie.
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When it came time to leave for the show for which Arnold had purchased tickets - How to be Parisian in One Hour? - we had two bed ridden patients. Arnold and I left them anyway.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOqLcsr4zPw/UN_ulJ4oyxI/AAAAAAAACwQ/N3i3-Zq7ZXs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2012-12-30%2Bat%2B8.32.44%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="How to Become Parisian in One Hour?" title="Source Screenshot of http://www.billetreduc.com/69266/evt.htm" border="0" height="200" width="174" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOqLcsr4zPw/UN_ulJ4oyxI/AAAAAAAACwQ/N3i3-Zq7ZXs/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2012-12-30%2Bat%2B8.32.44%2BAM.png" /></a></div>
<br /><br />When we presented the tickets at the theatre we were informed "These tickets are for last night - Friday night." And so they were. Then it was suggested that we wait to see if there were any no-shows since the show was "Sold Out". We waited. With one minute to go we were seated in what appeared to be the last two seats in the house.
<br /><br />The one man stand up comedy routine was funny and enjoyable. Not great, but enjoyable.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKUytHDZwRU/UN_vQGOCGkI/AAAAAAAACwc/cRde1dwWzU0/s1600/CasaLuna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Arnold at Casa Luna" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKUytHDZwRU/UN_vQGOCGkI/AAAAAAAACwc/cRde1dwWzU0/s200/CasaLuna.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />
Arnold and I walked from the theatre to Casa Luna where we had a delicious dinner. I had a fantastic leek tart as a starter followed by the wonderful cannelloni that is a special dish of the corsican Casa Luna. Arnold had a fantastic veal stew.
<br /><br /> We were greater warmly by Joel, part owner of the restaurant, whom we have come to know from our many visits to Casa Luna. The couple seated next to us seemed surprised that Joel (a friend of theirs as well) was taking such an interest in two Americans and began to chat with us. There were delightful. Mrs. Bernard is a school principal and Mr. Barnard is a retired professor of Education. We had a very enjoyable time discussing all matters of things with the Barnards. They have been to the United States once (New York City and Niagra Falls) and hope to visit again. Mrs. Barnard has visited Corsica several times and enthusiastically recommend we go there for a vacation. The Barnards also gave us recommendations for two relatively inexpensive hotels in Paris. We will make use of that information.
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After dinner we walked the equivalent of about three blocks, waited about 5 minutes for our bus, and 30 minutes later walked directly into our hotel from the bus stop on our corner. We missed Connie and Jennifer and they missed a wonderful meal.
John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-40022610036953943632012-12-29T05:29:00.002-06:002012-12-29T09:53:05.826-06:00Day 5 in Paris: Friday December 28 - A LossOur plan was to get to the d'Orsay before the crowds. We got a later start than we wished. The crowds arrived earlier than we hoped. Connie and I left Arnold and Jennifer who later reported they waited 40 or so minutes before getting in. Connie and I scouted out our afternoon trip to Marriott Village d'Ille de France in Marne la Vallee. We had decided to take suitcases of clothes to leave there until we arrive next week. We did this to avoid having to take everything to Montpellier on Sunday. Too many clothes, too many suitcases.
<br /><br /> I thought Connie would be taking her large suitcase to the condo so I wanted to make sure we had escalators enroute. I also wanted to replace my bus map which I had given Arnold. I thought I had replaced the bus map the day before. When I got it out after leaving Arnold and Jennifer at the d'Orsay I discovered that my bus map was not really a bus map. Well, as part of a general map of Paris, there was a small bus map that it would take good light and two magnifying glasses to decipher.
<br /><br /> Finally we got to Gare de Lyon to map out our route. After wandering around for quite a while we figured it out and set out for our hotel. We skipped lunch because we were now running quite late.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phoHMFBDZHM/UN8RiV9od2I/AAAAAAAACvw/VMYi36fhWI8/s1600/Courtyard%2BBB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Marriott Courtyard, Boulogne-Billancourt, France" title=:Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phoHMFBDZHM/UN8RiV9od2I/AAAAAAAACvw/VMYi36fhWI8/s200/Courtyard%2BBB.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Back at the Courtyard Marriott in Boulogne-Billancourt, we packed. Then I studied my new bus map and decided to change our route. We had only down staircases and, more importantly, Connie only took a small suitcase to the condo. At one station a young black Frenchman carried my bag down two flights of stairs. Who says the French are not helpful? Not I!
<br /><br />We got to the Marriott Vacation Club, left our luggage and then met Arnold and Jennifer for a nice meal at The Petit Chalet next to the Shakespeare & Co Book Store.
<br /><br /> Another interesting day in Paris, Unproductive to a certain degree, but interesting.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-19137452237665137422012-12-29T05:07:00.000-06:002012-12-29T09:45:26.122-06:00Day 4 in Paris- Thursday December 27, 2012Museum Day, or so we thought.
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Today we left our hotel by bus. We traveled the scenic route that follower the right bank of the Seine.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-hy89jC8EU/UN7LUgg4WAI/AAAAAAAACs4/7ruZHMpxv6c/s1600/Orangerie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Orangerie" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-hy89jC8EU/UN7LUgg4WAI/AAAAAAAACs4/7ruZHMpxv6c/s200/Orangerie.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Without changing busses we arrived at the Orangerie. The line were incredibly short and soon we were in a very special place. They do not allow pictures of Monet's Water Lilies that make up the two grand oval rooms of the Orangerie, but the Jean Walter-Paul Guillaume collection is especially wonderful on its own. And to top it all, there was a special exhibit of Soutine. Pictures were allowed in the Walter-Guillaume collection so here we go with a very small sample.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0FQ_EcNwGA/UN7LcQfE2II/AAAAAAAACtE/3DXaq0hVc2I/s1600/Modiglian1Guillaume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Modigliani - Portrait of Paull Guillaume" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="142" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0FQ_EcNwGA/UN7LcQfE2II/AAAAAAAACtE/3DXaq0hVc2I/s200/Modiglian1Guillaume.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Modigliani - Portrait of Paul Guillaume
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMR2RUj0ybY/UN7Lnrjlo7I/AAAAAAAACtQ/LvAA7ztSwNM/s1600/Wedding%2BRousseau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Rousseau, La Noce" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="148" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMR2RUj0ybY/UN7Lnrjlo7I/AAAAAAAACtQ/LvAA7ztSwNM/s200/Wedding%2BRousseau.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Rousseau - La Noce
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQEKKhv47g8/UN7LvtS0jsI/AAAAAAAACtc/rCTYnt3n0Hk/s1600/ModiglianiSeatedBoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Modigliani. seated boy" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="128" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQEKKhv47g8/UN7LvtS0jsI/AAAAAAAACtc/rCTYnt3n0Hk/s200/ModiglianiSeatedBoy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> Modigliani - Seated Boy
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggHA9yW3LXQ/UN7L1xCUa7I/AAAAAAAACto/XLrTEqSVP_s/s1600/PicassoNu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggHA9yW3LXQ/UN7L1xCUa7I/AAAAAAAACto/XLrTEqSVP_s/s200/PicassoNu.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> Picasso - Nu
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeEJCEMcNjs/UN7L8CoO7cI/AAAAAAAACt0/CCintzeT6B8/s1600/Matisse%2BStanding%2BNude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Picasso, Nu" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="124" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeEJCEMcNjs/UN7L8CoO7cI/AAAAAAAACt0/CCintzeT6B8/s200/Matisse%2BStanding%2BNude.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> Matisse - Odalisque
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnJukGohXlI/UN7NaUVnBjI/AAAAAAAACuw/yt8FKyvs5uw/s1600/Derainnude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Derain, Nude, La beau model" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="158" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnJukGohXlI/UN7NaUVnBjI/AAAAAAAACuw/yt8FKyvs5uw/s200/Derainnude.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> Derain - La Beau Modele
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99AxmqQ7vIU/UN7MS4NMXxI/AAAAAAAACuA/u3jMD6Bo1oU/s1600/Utrillo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Utrillo" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99AxmqQ7vIU/UN7MS4NMXxI/AAAAAAAACuA/u3jMD6Bo1oU/s200/Utrillo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> Utrillo - I don't remember the title of this work
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHMj1CuK6wA/UN7McIg_mXI/AAAAAAAACuM/ClFq-N3H190/s1600/dOrsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="D'Orsay" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHMj1CuK6wA/UN7McIg_mXI/AAAAAAAACuM/ClFq-N3H190/s200/dOrsay.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br /> We then went to the d'Orsay.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBhsucWtSXM/UN7MmJcqZPI/AAAAAAAACuY/GO7D9yuwzTA/s1600/dorsayline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Crowds waiting to enter the d'Orsay" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qBhsucWtSXM/UN7MmJcqZPI/AAAAAAAACuY/GO7D9yuwzTA/s200/dorsayline.jpg" /></a></div>
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The lines were so long we opted for lunch at a creperie.
<br /><br />Putting the d'Orsay off until Friday, we created a new plan.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vEkL_0fujQQ/UN8OadA0R3I/AAAAAAAACvQ/kHiK7oA5HcE/s1600/Louvre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Louvre" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vEkL_0fujQQ/UN8OadA0R3I/AAAAAAAACvQ/kHiK7oA5HcE/s200/Louvre.jpg" /></a></div>
Putting the d'Orsay off until Friday, we created a new plan.
Arnold and Jennifer were successful in getting in the Louvre. Connie and I went to Lafayettes where everybody in the world was that afternoon. I sat and had a cup of tea. Connie fought the crowds but quickly gave up. We then searched for the store where we got our crazy poster of a wild French restaurant kitchen. We found one and got a copy for Sharon.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPosKlyilcg/UN7NJMB7o6I/AAAAAAAACuk/4OWfMw7n4Qg/s1600/navigator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="le Navigator Restaurant" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LPosKlyilcg/UN7NJMB7o6I/AAAAAAAACuk/4OWfMw7n4Qg/s200/navigator.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We then joined Arnold and Jennifer for a wonderful dinner at Le Navigator. My starter was mussels. It wasn't really a starter since the portion was larger than I have at home for a plat! They were the best mussels I have ever had. I think the trick was that the sauce consisted of cream, spices, and lots of leeks and it had been reduced forever and ever. Fantastic. My veal liver in a wine sauce was also very, very good.
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We headed for our hotel, filled with good food and good memories of another day in Paris.
John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-87445769669097202852012-12-28T02:07:00.002-06:002012-12-28T02:07:27.224-06:00Day 3 in Paris - Wednesday December 26, 2012Today we got up rather late but went to the Marmottan Museum which is just 5 metro stops away from kurt hotel. the weather was nice and we thoroughly enjoyed our stroll through the park. Again, pictures were not allowed so I have none here. i should have taken a picture of the museum at least, but didm,t. Many of the Monets are still on exhibit and the downstairs room house a special exhibit of Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens. Of course there were many Berthe Morisot's works to be enjoyed and probably 50 or so of Monet's paintings including <i>Impression</i> which gave the name Impressionists to the group of painters in which Monet played a singular role.
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After our visit to the Marmottan we took a bus to the opera. This route is especially nice since it provides many delightful views of the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero, the Grand and Petit Palaces as well as parts of the Champs Elysees.
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Well, we were headed for the opera but we passes Printemps first and in we went. We set a meeting time and I went to the nearby Apple store. It was packed.
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We took the subway to Abysses, the deepest station on the Metro line. It is at Montmartre.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ySubWr4Sx4/UN1ROSJ7SGI/AAAAAAAACrU/CZzGZcwoqOU/s1600/Applestore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Apple Store, Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ySubWr4Sx4/UN1ROSJ7SGI/AAAAAAAACrU/CZzGZcwoqOU/s200/Applestore.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We stopped to have an absolutely delicious lunch. I had beef bourguignon that was great. Everyone enjoyed their "diner". We had eaten so much that we decided to HopOn the Yellow line.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vew7hJmugZc/UN1RZAk-ieI/AAAAAAAACrg/6wm4FGoFOIA/s1600/ConnieOpenBus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Connie on the open Bus" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vew7hJmugZc/UN1RZAk-ieI/AAAAAAAACrg/6wm4FGoFOIA/s200/ConnieOpenBus.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Arnold and I (and Connie for a little while) sat on the open top of the bus.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQguFaprDXA/UN1Rf26JrCI/AAAAAAAACrs/lS7YSciUWN0/s1600/OpenGaredeNord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Gare de Nord from the top of the open bus Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQguFaprDXA/UN1Rf26JrCI/AAAAAAAACrs/lS7YSciUWN0/s200/OpenGaredeNord.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Here we are passing Gard de Nord.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNAZrg1Fhxw/UN1RrymV65I/AAAAAAAACr4/iQUnp6ZQ24k/s1600/Traffic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Traffic from the open Bus, Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNAZrg1Fhxw/UN1RrymV65I/AAAAAAAACr4/iQUnp6ZQ24k/s200/Traffic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Traffic was unbelievable as you can see.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HynrkxZouHE/UN1RyBSfFeI/AAAAAAAACsE/qnKumAeeqW8/s1600/BHV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="BHV Store, Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HynrkxZouHE/UN1RyBSfFeI/AAAAAAAACsE/qnKumAeeqW8/s200/BHV.jpg" /></a></div>
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When we finally got back to the Opera we went shopping again, this time at BHV. BHV is a combination Dillard's department store, Lowes, Office Depot and whatever else you can think of.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NYt0Bzsb6I/UN1R5IYm5oI/AAAAAAAACsQ/gUuwNSFId5M/s1600/hoteldeville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Hotel de Ville at Christmas, Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NYt0Bzsb6I/UN1R5IYm5oI/AAAAAAAACsQ/gUuwNSFId5M/s200/hoteldeville.jpg" /></a></div>
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It is right across the street from the Hotel de Ville where the skating rink and merry-go-round filled the plaza.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1RYrKU9iko/UN1SQoikJBI/AAAAAAAACsc/x3XPKphVKW4/s1600/Italian%2BCafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Italian Cafe, Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1RYrKU9iko/UN1SQoikJBI/AAAAAAAACsc/x3XPKphVKW4/s200/Italian%2BCafe.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We decided to eat (again) at a delightful Italian cafe. The <br /><br /> rigatoni with gorgonzola was quite good but it did not measure up to the new high standard set in London. I really liked it though.
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We gathered ourselves together, caught our subway, and returned to the hotel.
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Another wonderful day in Paris!John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-79477528895622718212012-12-27T01:25:00.000-06:002012-12-27T01:27:26.707-06:00Tuesday December 25, 2012 - Christmas in ParisIt took a while in the morning to recover from our walking experiences on Monday as well as our great Christmas Eve dinner.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hbU-LNY2ck/UNv3DteNKqI/AAAAAAAACqU/IFp2liJtojs/s1600/ND1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="altar of Notre Dame" title=Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hbU-LNY2ck/UNv3DteNKqI/AAAAAAAACqU/IFp2liJtojs/s200/ND1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We did make it to Notre Dame in time for the 12:30 Christmas Mass, however.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkhdeismOSY/UNv3KP4zrSI/AAAAAAAACqg/hZYn3RbZotA/s1600/ND2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Notre Dame" title=Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkhdeismOSY/UNv3KP4zrSI/AAAAAAAACqg/hZYn3RbZotA/s200/ND2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />Following the church service we hopped on a Hop On/Hop Off bus and toured the shore of the Seine to the east as far as the Jardin des Plantes and the modern Bibliotheque Francois Mitterand, We then crossed the Seine into the Bercy area of Paris. At one time Bercy had been outside the city of Paris and nothing "was prohibited." This area drew not only prostitutes in great number but also wine storage warehouses which were established in Bercy to avoid the Paris city taxes. The huge Bercy Park as well as the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy now line the river as well as, ironically, the France Department of Taxation and other government buildings.
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We returned to our starting point and had lunch (a late lunch) at the brasserie two doors down from Shakespeare and Company. It was a good lunch and prepared us to Hop On again. This time the bus traveled down river, across the river, around the Place de la Concorde, up the Champs Elysees, down to the Trocadero,
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARsEzQtZVp8/UNv3X7tu08I/AAAAAAAACq4/pIkIeS3d_fU/s1600/Eiffel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Eiffel Tower lit at night" title=Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARsEzQtZVp8/UNv3X7tu08I/AAAAAAAACq4/pIkIeS3d_fU/s200/Eiffel.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />and then around the Eiffel Tower. The sun had set some time ago and the Eiffel Tower was aglow with its night lights. The driver stopped (her shift had ended) and said another bus would pick us up within 5 minutes and take us the rest of the way on the Green Line. After waiting almost 20 minutes we decided to head back to our hotel. After we walked through another (small) Christmas market, we took the Metro, walked the 4 blocks to the hotel, and had a Christmas drink and then a light meal.
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Another wonderful day in Paris!John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-8505203530590244422012-12-26T15:51:00.002-06:002012-12-26T15:53:04.181-06:00Paris Day 1 - December 24, 2012We walked. And walked. And walked.
First we walked the Champs Elysees starting at the Arc de Triomphe.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WSzMJnhd8YU/UNtwYTDtTAI/AAAAAAAACpU/U8zyD07HFo8/s1600/CMP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Christmas market in Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WSzMJnhd8YU/UNtwYTDtTAI/AAAAAAAACpU/U8zyD07HFo8/s200/CMP1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Then we walked through the Christmas markets from the Petit and Grand Palaces to Place de la Concorde.
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The emphasis was on food in these markets, although I did buy some French milled soap and Connie bought a tablecloth.
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Here is a stand where salmon is being cooked on wood planks standing between open flames.
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Then we walked down Rue de Rivoli to a brasserie for lunch. For very poor onion soup I might add. Then we walked some more.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoearRbcU2g/UNtw2YHGv9I/AAAAAAAACp4/KZnxxfNlZB0/s1600/Notre%2BDame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Notre Dame in Paris" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoearRbcU2g/UNtw2YHGv9I/AAAAAAAACp4/KZnxxfNlZB0/s200/Notre%2BDame.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />This time to Notre Dame.
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I left Arnold, Jennifer and Connie in a brasserie while I tried to find our restaurant for our Christmas Eve dinner. The street was very difficult to find since it is less than 100 yards long. Once I found the street I had no trouble finding the restaurant, Le Reminet. Then I went back and got everyone and we went to St. Chapelle for a pre-dinner concert. The setting and the music were wonderful. We then returned to Le Reminet for an absolutely fabulous meal. Everyone raved about their food. Then we walked about 3 blocks to the Metro and went to our hotel. Oh, we walked 4 blocks from the Metro to our hotel. Jennifer was walked out! As were many others in the group who did not admit it!John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-67178722042990718592012-12-26T01:17:00.003-06:002012-12-26T02:01:56.717-06:00Sunday December 23 - Paris to London
We had breakfast at our most pleasant hotel, Hotel Ridgemount. We packed. And then we went to church at St. George's Church, the Parish Church of Bloomsbury.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tduW99JyYls/UNqlUKlbS7I/AAAAAAAACnQ/TG_2uaTCk9Y/s1600/StGeorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="St. George's Church, Bloomsbury, London" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tduW99JyYls/UNqlUKlbS7I/AAAAAAAACnQ/TG_2uaTCk9Y/s200/StGeorge.jpg" /></a></div>
The church was originally consecrated in 1731. It was the last church designed by by the famous English church architect. Nicholas Hawksmoor. It closed in 2001 and reopened in 2006 after it was restored with funds supplied by the World Monument Fund, the Paul Mellon State and the heritage Lottery. Fund. I found the combination of supporters rather ironic!<br /><br />
The service was very familiar being almost the same as our services at St. Paul's in Daphne. The sermon was preached by the Reverend Dr. James Walters, a thirty year old priest who is the Chaplain to the London School of Economics. The sermon was excellent and focused on the many ways, silent unknown ways, that God enters our lives. Certainly less spectacular that the much anticipated end of the world as foretold for December 21 by the Myan calendar, and less spectacular even that the expectations of many early Christians. The Gospel reading was the story of pregnant Elizabeth's reactions to a visit from expectant Mary. Dr. Walters wove this scripture into his sermon as an example of the startling revelations that sometime occur and the less spectacular, even events that lead to doubts about God's interventions as expressed in the letters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as well as in the lives we live. In silence, however, and in the everyday aspects of life, we find God there and we come to appreciate his advent now and at a variety of times in our lives. Even when we least expect it. <br /><br />
Having found quick transfers to the Chunnel train in France very problematic, after church we headed for St. Pancras station and the Eurostar. This time I was the first to board our car and had full access to the luggage racks at the end of Car 2. Some in Car 3 were not so lucky. Announcements threatened the permanent removal of baggage blocking the emergency exits in Car 3. But that was Car 3. Not Car 2<br /><br /> We are nearing Paris as i write this. We will take a cab to our hotel and quickly leave for dinner at the home of Jim Haynes. I will report on that dinner in my next post.
<br /> <br /> No, I'll add it here since I am completing this on December 26.
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We were delayed in the cab ride from Gare de Nord by a major accident on the ring road, but the taxi driver finally got off and wen through city streets to reach our hotel in Boulogne-Bettancourt.
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Arnold and Jennifer were waiting for us. We took another cab with a very chatty cab driver to the atelier of Jim Haynes to join the dinner gathering he holds every Sunday night for the first 60 who sign up. His story is fascinating. Read about him on his web site <a href="http://www.jim-haynes.com">Jim Haynes</a> We met a lot of interesting Americans there and a few locals. Included were a transplanted writer, Martin Belk, from Charlotte who has been working with your prisoners in Scotland;
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qZEaZ7-0h8/UNqtPbFH-VI/AAAAAAAACn4/WAEGJebqulU/s1600/Adrienne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Adrienne Donley" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qZEaZ7-0h8/UNqtPbFH-VI/AAAAAAAACn4/WAEGJebqulU/s200/Adrienne.jpg" /></a></div>
Adrienne Donley who works in human relations in San Francisco for Abbott Drugs; a friend she met on the plane to France, Lisa Brogran from Huntsville; her daughter Amy who is completing her studies in Ireland to be a Veterinarian;
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iP31FQmvE/UNqtYvx8MaI/AAAAAAAACoE/cIkmefxd4kw/s1600/JohnDavidRegan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="John David Reagan" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iP31FQmvE/UNqtYvx8MaI/AAAAAAAACoE/cIkmefxd4kw/s200/JohnDavidRegan.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://esterrepublic.com/Archives/johndavidragan.html">John David Ragan</a>, an historian who works as a laborer on the slope in Alaska for 6 months and then lives in Paris and writes for 6 months; and <a href="http://davidturn">David Turner</a>, an architect from Australia turned photographer.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvjgANLmHwU/UNqu2j06MRI/AAAAAAAACo4/9oJr3LXuDPI/s1600/JH3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Dinner at Jim Haynes' house" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvjgANLmHwU/UNqu2j06MRI/AAAAAAAACo4/9oJr3LXuDPI/s200/JH3.jpg" /></a></div>
And many more
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I thoroughly enjoyed it!John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-68979765758328833962012-12-25T02:42:00.000-06:002012-12-25T04:28:23.731-06:00Joyeux Noel!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUjaoVjzJhU/UNlmSNokyTI/AAAAAAAACm0/lxP7pvSWQuA/s1600/C%2526Jsanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img totel="Connie, John and Santa" title= "Photo by unknown passenger" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUjaoVjzJhU/UNlmSNokyTI/AAAAAAAACm0/lxP7pvSWQuA/s200/C%2526Jsanta.jpg" /></a></div>
Yes, I've used this picture. It is Christmas Day in France, however, and we need to say Merry Christmas to all.<br /> <br /> I am a bit behind in my posts. I will try to catch up soon.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-35703389265688158472012-12-25T02:31:00.002-06:002012-12-25T02:37:57.447-06:00Saturday December 22, 2012 - London
Rain, Rain, More rain!
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Off we went by bus to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Even though there is a bus stop within a block of our hotel, and even though the bus stop for the V&A is just a block away from the museum, we were soaked by the time we shed out coats in the cloakroom. Our purpose for the day was to visit a special exhibit on the Costumes of Hollywood.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIcao09rMVQ/UNlgOG4j7cI/AAAAAAAAClA/SyLk9g312gY/s1600/V%2526AJohn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="John staring at statue" title="Photo by Connie Gonser" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIcao09rMVQ/UNlgOG4j7cI/AAAAAAAAClA/SyLk9g312gY/s200/V%2526AJohn.jpg" /></a></div>
Fist, however, we passed some statues from the 19th century that were often found in British gardens. Here John is, thinking about whether this statue would be approved by the TimberCreek ARB (Architectural Review Board). At least that is what he said he was thinking about!<br /><br />
No pictures were allowed in the special collection of Hollywood costumes. There were at least 250 costumes from all types of films dating back to the black and white silent movies. The primary purposes of the exhibit were to explore the importance of costume designers in moviemaking, the links between the designers and directors, and the importance of costumes to telling the stories of the movies. Emphasis was also placed on the links between costumes and actresses and actors. Many of the actresses and actors were quoted, or said in video interviews we watched, how important the costumes were in helping them understand the people they were portraying in the film.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ermpBa0u7-c/UNlghpV3J9I/AAAAAAAAClM/OUDRmkVQaYQ/s1600/CofFJohn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="John reading Chariots of Fire program" title="Photo by Connie Gonser"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ermpBa0u7-c/UNlghpV3J9I/AAAAAAAAClM/OUDRmkVQaYQ/s200/CofFJohn.jpg" /></a></div>
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After a light lunch in the V&A we took a bus to the Gielgud Theatre in Leister Square for the matinee performance of <i><b>Chariots of Fire </b></i> John read the program and mulled how a film focused on racing, could be converted to a stage performance.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JAM7n9-U78/UNlgp-8No7I/AAAAAAAAClY/Nh4y68G3FKg/s1600/CofFConnie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Connie mulling mulled wine" title="Photo by John Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4JAM7n9-U78/UNlgp-8No7I/AAAAAAAAClY/Nh4y68G3FKg/s200/CofFConnie.jpg" /></a></div>
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Connie mulled instead over her mulled wine. <br /><br />
John soon found that the Gielgud had been converted into a theatre in the round. The Gielgud's first three rows had been incorporated into a stage with a large turntable. Running paths were behind and in front of the stage. Seats had been installed on the far side of the stage so that in Act II we were in the Olympic Stadium in Paris for the 1924 Olympics. <br /><br />
The play was excellent. Since we were in the second row beyond the running path we felt totally involved in the races. Runners recovered, breathing heavily, at the end of our row. The play was fun, exciting, and the actors were excellent (and much younger that Connie and I). I wouldn't have made many laps on even the short theatre track. Of course, it was uphill in parts. Maybe that excuse will be acceptable.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWpyJIHn7Oc/UNljJcFyUGI/AAAAAAAACl0/lCvnjVLI3zc/s1600/Ylari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Tlari, our waitress" title="Photo by John Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWpyJIHn7Oc/UNljJcFyUGI/AAAAAAAACl0/lCvnjVLI3zc/s200/Ylari.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />We completed our four days with the Stipettn family at their Trattoria Mondello. I had a perfectly cooked steak topped with the fantastic gorgonzola that captured my heart Thursday night. Connie had a wonderful chicken cacciatore. Here we see Ylari, our waitress,
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htJa-r3ywBM/UNljdz8tvGI/AAAAAAAACmA/-EbswiNRJHk/s1600/waiter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Our waiter, name unknown" title="Photo by John Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htJa-r3ywBM/UNljdz8tvGI/AAAAAAAACmA/-EbswiNRJHk/s200/waiter.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />our waiter (whose name I did not get),
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iddq_-rjmyg/UNlj0-VU3aI/AAAAAAAACmM/m2RuW9f7ams/s1600/cooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Filippo and the cooks" title="Photo by John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iddq_-rjmyg/UNlj0-VU3aI/AAAAAAAACmM/m2RuW9f7ams/s200/cooks.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Filippo and the cooks,
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2W8J7C8r-Io/UNlkUcpa_yI/AAAAAAAACmY/ECbCBpRrehI/s1600/cheflondon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Chef at the Mondello Restaurant" title="Photo by John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2W8J7C8r-Io/UNlkUcpa_yI/AAAAAAAACmY/ECbCBpRrehI/s200/cheflondon.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><br />and the chef who stuck his head into the serving window so as not to be forgotten. We certainly won't forget this exceedingly friendly group. Nor will we forget their wonderful food. John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-26346132970026676742012-12-23T17:12:00.003-06:002012-12-23T17:24:04.187-06:00London Day 2 - Friday December 21, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p2QAcqyjVCE/UNeKzQZgBCI/AAAAAAAACik/gWtgkpkIQZ8/s1600/HGConnie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="The Horseguards London. Connie with the horse." title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p2QAcqyjVCE/UNeKzQZgBCI/AAAAAAAACik/gWtgkpkIQZ8/s200/HGConnie.jpg" /></a></div>
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Today we woke to sunshine. Yes, sunshine! We walked through Bloomsbury then caught a bus to Charing Cross. We walked by the Horseguards headquarters on the way to Whitehall, the Parliament, #4 Downing Street, Big Ben and the Churchill Museum.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFi_Z6nrndE/UNeLco9gseI/AAAAAAAACi8/2-_FbJfp2hU/s1600/BigBen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Big Ben. London" title="John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFi_Z6nrndE/UNeLco9gseI/AAAAAAAACi8/2-_FbJfp2hU/s200/BigBen.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOPHCTeSyBY/UNeLtlcwqYI/AAAAAAAACjI/q7RzRNW8_k4/s1600/CWMPMGuard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Prime Minister's guard. Wax model. Wartime Rooms Museum. London" title="Source: Connie Gonser"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOPHCTeSyBY/UNeLtlcwqYI/AAAAAAAACjI/q7RzRNW8_k4/s200/CWMPMGuard.jpg" /></a></div>
Kitty and Dave Stewart (my sister and brother-in-law) discovered the Churchill Museum several years ago. We went for the first time four years ago and found it fascinating, instructional, innovative and inspirational. I need a synonym for fascinating that starts with i. What about intriguing? Not exactly the same meaning, but it works: intriguing, instructional, innovative and inspirational. This is the Prime Minister's Guard. (Well, a representation of the same.)
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sB_p9QkXRyA/UNeMNuhyQPI/AAAAAAAACjU/PX5hOgQrCNI/s1600/CWMjohn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="John Strange entering War Rooms Museum, London" title="Source: Connie Gonser"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sB_p9QkXRyA/UNeMNuhyQPI/AAAAAAAACjU/PX5hOgQrCNI/s200/CWMjohn1.jpg" /></a></div>
The Churchill Museum is really a combination of two museums: The War Rooms Museum and the Churchill Museum. Imagine being about two stories underground during the German bombing raids on London. And then imagine being in a building that was just then being reinforced to withstand (maybe, they weren't sure) 250 pound bombs. And also imagine the Prime Minister going out on the roof of the building at night to watch the bombing raids and then again in the morning to "make sure that St. Paul's [Cathedral] was still there." What would our Secret Service do? I can't imagine!<br /><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OpScPs25Sss/UNeM_-UVRdI/AAAAAAAACjs/jzoOv_ymvOs/s1600/CWMjohn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Prime Minister's guard. Wax model. Wartime Rooms Museum. London" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OpScPs25Sss/UNeM_-UVRdI/AAAAAAAACjs/jzoOv_ymvOs/s200/CWMjohn1.jpg" /></a></div>
The Churchill museum is a large area within the war rooms tour. It is very interactive, involves the use of many videos and audios, especially excerpts from Churchill's most famous speeches. Even today they inspire you. At least they do me. I have two recommendations. Read <b><i>Citizens of London</i></b> to get an excellent overview of the efforts of three Americans, especially Edward R. Morrow, the great CBS broadcaster, and John Gilbert (Gil) Winant, Ambassador to Great Britain and former Governor of New Hampshire, who worked tirelessly to bring the United States into active participation in the defense of England. Second, go to London and spend several hours in the War Rooms Museum and the Churchill Museum. Without Churchill, and without the efforts of Morrow and Winant, the world might be horribly different!
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HdQmJ5H1kM/UNeNyVeK5zI/AAAAAAAACj4/RQ-PZnKYW2E/s1600/HG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Changing of the guard. Horseguard Headquarters." title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HdQmJ5H1kM/UNeNyVeK5zI/AAAAAAAACj4/RQ-PZnKYW2E/s200/HG1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On our walk back to the hotel we passed the Horseguards headquarters just before 4:00. It was time to relieve the two guards on duty and send the horses to their stables. Fortunately we had a good viewing spot for this interesting ceremony which took almost twenty minutes to complete. <br /><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5U_tMUqGS9U/UNeOhkxfU0I/AAAAAAAACkE/lZqIa78BEVU/s1600/HG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Changing the guard at the Horseguards Headquarters, Londonborder="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5U_tMUqGS9U/UNeOhkxfU0I/AAAAAAAACkE/lZqIa78BEVU/s200/HG2.jpg" /></a></div>
We returned to our hotel thankful for the likes of Winston Churchill and the brave men and women of Great Britain, free Poland, free France and all the others who held the line against the Nazi onslaught until America finally arrived with troops and more supplies.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKB8v43lAtg/UNeO-oK-lVI/AAAAAAAACkQ/I6lgVBk2mgQ/s1600/mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="maria Stipettn" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKB8v43lAtg/UNeO-oK-lVI/AAAAAAAACkQ/I6lgVBk2mgQ/s200/mama.jpg" /></a></div>
Dinner was once again at our adopted home restaurant: Trattoria Mondello is owned and operated by Maria (mama), Silvana (daughter) and Filippo Stipettn (papa) for over 40 years. Sicillians are a sturdy lot!<br /><br />
Wednesday night I had a fantastic Lasagna. Thursday night I had liver and onions cooked in the style of Venice in a wine sauce that was very, very very good.Tonight I had rigatoni gorgonzola. I contend you cannot find a better version of this dish.. First ,the gorgonzola was perfect, just as St. Agur is perfect in France. Second, cream and a touch of white wine made the sauce perfect. Yes, <b> perfect!</b> The pasta was delicate and properly cooked. It was also (probably) home made. True perfection.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYLyCkCHEPU/UNePGApKuNI/AAAAAAAACkc/bRs2hEyOp2s/s1600/silvana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Silvana Stipettn" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYLyCkCHEPU/UNePGApKuNI/AAAAAAAACkc/bRs2hEyOp2s/s200/silvana.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHqVMj0Iaq4/UNePNrsxtII/AAAAAAAACko/wfNoLBXc07Y/s1600/papa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Filippo Stipettn" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHqVMj0Iaq4/UNePNrsxtII/AAAAAAAACko/wfNoLBXc07Y/s200/papa.jpg" /></a></div>John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-89370139112498695372012-12-21T12:21:00.000-06:002012-12-21T12:21:01.070-06:00 Day 1 in London - Thursday December 20, 2012
Rain. Lots of rain. We made our way to the nearest Boots (the major drugstore chain in England) and replenished some necessary supplies. We walked to the Covent Garden area and then to Leicester Square. We bought matinee tickets to Billy Elliot and Chariots of Fire. <br /><br />
Wednesday matinee was at 2:30 so we had time for lunch. On our walk we had passed Byron's advertising a "Proper Hamburger". I thought that sounded good so we walked back to Byron's arriving at 11:59 before anyone else. The hamburger was excellent, very pink in the middle, and a lot of blue cheese on top. Connie had a good salad. When we departed the restaurant it was filled. My guess is that 100% of the remaining 150 or so patrons were less than half our age! <br /><br />
We walked back to out hotel, left our drug store packages, caught the tube to Victoria Station and arrived about 30 minutes early at the Victoria Theatre for Billy Elliott.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0svbvol3f-g/UNSoYsbHTUI/AAAAAAAACiM/dtzcffpWKGs/s1600/BillyElliot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Billy Elliot sign" title="Source John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0svbvol3f-g/UNSoYsbHTUI/AAAAAAAACiM/dtzcffpWKGs/s200/BillyElliot.jpg" /></a></div>
Before long the theatre was almost totally filled. The play began. It is a musical telling the story of Billy Elliot. He grew up in a mining town in the north of England. He lived with an extended family (grandmother, grandfather, father, brother). His mother was dead. All the men were miners. His father wanted him to be a boxer. He wanted to dance. The story revolves around this conflict (a metaphor for many related conflicts). Dancing wins, he wins a place in the Royal Ballet School at the age of 12, and the world is changed for him and his family. The dancing is spectacular, especially that of the young star. The staging was great, as was the music. I never closed my eyes, even for the shortest time! We both thoroughly enjoyed <i>Billy Elliot</i>. Another dinner at our Italian restaurant (Venice style liver and onions for me, sea bream for Connie) and Day 1 in London was complete.
John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-7666520604747100162012-12-21T04:29:00.002-06:002012-12-21T04:50:18.670-06:00Nuremberg to Frankfurt, to Paris, to London by Train - Wednesday December 19, 2012
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It started fine. The taxi was on time as a result of the excellent organization of departure day by the AMALyra staff. The Captain, the Chef and our Host Maddie all shook our hands.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7QA61PYknE/UNQ5pP6URsI/AAAAAAAACho/u4gUJMbcA8I/s1600/Connietrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="bags off the ship" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7QA61PYknE/UNQ5pP6URsI/AAAAAAAACho/u4gUJMbcA8I/s200/Connietrain.jpg" /></a></div>
We are at the station in 20 minutes as expected. We managed to find the correct window to stamp our Eurail pass and then caught an earlier train to Frankfurt since we did not have to have seat reservations from Nuremberg. The train we took was an IC train (Inter City) instead of our planned ICE (Inter City Express). The one we took made an extra stop, took 5 minutes longer, but still arrived 30 minutes earlier.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ623QU21R4/UNQ51L7J0JI/AAAAAAAACh0/tolgricXbBQ/s1600/John%2BTrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="bags off the ship" title="Source: Connie Gonser" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ623QU21R4/UNQ51L7J0JI/AAAAAAAACh0/tolgricXbBQ/s200/John%2BTrain.jpg" /></a></div>
Other than loading the luggage onto the train (first time) and unloading it (luggage move (or LM) 2), all had gone well. We found a snack bar and Connie left for the bathroom. Almost 30 minutes later she returned. I was ready to call the station police. She had gotten downstairs confused. (you will have to ask her) with something. <br /><br />
We made our connection on the DB Bahn equivalent of the SNCF TGV (LM 3). We were served nice lunch at our seat (included) and then we arrived in Paris and all began to unravel. I had left my iPad on the train which was found by an American couple seated behind us. I returned to the train and retrieved it. Then we began the short walk to Gare de Nord (having arrived at Gare de l'Est. Almost an hour to make our connection. <br /><br />
Avoiding the short connection via 60 steps up, we began walking and looking for a taxi. No taxi. Five long blocks up the hill. A heavy back pack. A forced stop to regain my breath. Finally we got to Gare de Nord. Was it raining? Of course! <br /><br />
Now the real fun began. We tried to use the automatic turnstile with our tickets. Connie's got stuck in the machine. Finally, I retrieved it and tried again. And again. And again. Help arrived. Our tickets did nor work in the machine. (How clever) so we were guided to a booth. Then the British Border Control agents were ahead of us (as well as long lines of people rushing for our 5:47 departure as well as the 6:14 to London). We got out of line, filled out the required forms, and after I took off my hat and the control agent could tell that I matched my passport picture, we were allowed to continue.<br /><br />
Then French security. Unhook all the bags (which were linked together for easier pulling), take out all metal objects, remove your coat, etc. But we kept our shoes on. <br /><br />
Finally we were ready to catch the train. Or so we thought. Now French passport control (or maybe it was joint). At last we were all back together but our connection time of 57 minutes almost had been used up!. Sign: Wait Here for Coaches 1-8. Big crowds, but I sensed something amiss and kept going. The crowds were waiting for the 6:14. Hurry. Down to the train. Car 12 was there, but we were in Car 4 (which I had translated from 4 to 2). At car 8 the conductor said <b>Get on here! </b> We did LM 5 was now complete since we left our two largest bags in the open luggage compartment of car 8. ) The train started. Then we walked through crowded cars pulling our small bags behind us and waving my back pack at all unwary passengers. We got to car 2 and found "our" seats occupied. I discovered that 4 did not mean 2 but it meant 4. Back to car 4. All the while the train is moving as was my backpack. One of our seats was occupied, in car 4, but he left quickly. We collapsed in our seats.<br /><br />
Thank goodness we got on at car 8 because there was absolutely NO space for our big luggage. Barely enough space for us since we were taking the Chunnel in coach (which saved $350 a person). If we had had no luggage, or only a small bag and no arctic protective coats we would have been fine. Connie was exhausted (but she reacted quietly and positively). I was exhausted. I slept through the Chunnel.
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In London I returned to car 8 (my iPad and iMacBook Air were safely in my backpack), got our luggage, tied everything together with bungee cords, and left for the taxi queue. Through British customs quickly (none was there by the time we arrived), walked to a long queue for taxis. Since our trip was less than 5 minutes the driver was a bit put out. We he lifted our heavy bags he was bit more put out. But when we got to our hotel and I gave him a 5 £ tip (the fare was also 5£) he smiled and carried our bags up the four steps to the hotel LM 6 was complete. We were in London. Later we walked to a very nice Italian restaurant for lasagne (me) and rigatoni with zucchini (daily special). Both were especially good, as were the mixed salads. And the wine was very welcome. Hallelujah! John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-78938833682552477912012-12-20T16:11:00.002-06:002012-12-20T16:18:16.447-06:00Regensburg to Nuremberg - Tuesday December 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pI_BD7F8nE/UNOKQcYcWoI/AAAAAAAACfw/PmCBd6YlO9M/s1600/canaloverland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="canal over road and river" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pI_BD7F8nE/UNOKQcYcWoI/AAAAAAAACfw/PmCBd6YlO9M/s200/canaloverland.jpg" /></a></div>
We sailed overnight to Nuremberg arriving about 2:00 pm the next afternoon. Much of the trip included the Danube-Main Canal which, at one point., crosses over a road and a river on a bridge. We had a three hour visit in Nuremberg. The first operation was a bus trip around the city focusing on major buildings and landmarks.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vg_d3Dx1Fu0/UNOLOsnqfFI/AAAAAAAACgA/L-rqKCRbbX0/s1600/nurembergcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Nuremberg Castle" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vg_d3Dx1Fu0/UNOLOsnqfFI/AAAAAAAACgA/L-rqKCRbbX0/s200/nurembergcastle.jpg" /></a></div>
Then we visited the castle which was the only major ancient building that survived the air raids during World War II. Since the British needed the castle as a landmark during night raids over a blacked out city the castle was spared. It was successfully used as an air raid shelter since it contained four soccer field of storage space for beer which worked quite well as protection from bombs that never hit the castle directly.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7v1ktAN-ttk/UNOLp0-wMKI/AAAAAAAACgU/Ts0x9ppqwGY/s1600/durerhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Durer House" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7v1ktAN-ttk/UNOLp0-wMKI/AAAAAAAACgU/Ts0x9ppqwGY/s200/durerhouse.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtgBVtn99dY/UNOL54RZhlI/AAAAAAAACgg/5lQVsoBuVuw/s1600/durerstatue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Modern homage to Durer statue" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtgBVtn99dY/UNOL54RZhlI/AAAAAAAACgg/5lQVsoBuVuw/s200/durerstatue.jpg" /></a></div>
We then walked by Albrecht Durrer's house with a "modern" tribute to him and his work. We then entered the area that was completely obliterated by bombs but now has been restored to its medieval look. You would not know it had been leveled by allied bombs.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDVO3Rq9ldc/UNOMS2F5C2I/AAAAAAAACgs/mkmXfATnzz0/s1600/nurenburgstatue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Nurenberg statue" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDVO3Rq9ldc/UNOMS2F5C2I/AAAAAAAACgs/mkmXfATnzz0/s200/nurenburgstatue.jpg" /></a></div>
The one exception to the bombing raids was the statue in what is now the middle of the town square. It survived because it was encased in concrete and sand.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LYiLClbSKU/UNOMfuAlYnI/AAAAAAAACg4/9dEYp2z-fzQ/s1600/nurenbergmarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Nurenberg Christmas market" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LYiLClbSKU/UNOMfuAlYnI/AAAAAAAACg4/9dEYp2z-fzQ/s200/nurenbergmarket.jpg" /></a></div>
Next was another Christmas market. This market is the largest in Germany. It will draw slightly over two million visitors this year. I think I had reached the limit of my appreciation for Christmas markets before I reached this final one. Since we had a free coupon for a "gingerbread" cookie, I tried one. It was enormous in size but tasted unlike any gingerbread I have ever tasted. The remainder after two bites (Connie had one) hit the trash immediately. Connie has had a "Nuremberg", a huge bun with three small sausages, which was much better. I had a taste of it and concurred with her positive opinion.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HojJ81Uk-XQ/UNOM_AOB7rI/AAAAAAAAChE/o-SLthc8Jyg/s1600/AMALyra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="A M A Lyra" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HojJ81Uk-XQ/UNOM_AOB7rI/AAAAAAAAChE/o-SLthc8Jyg/s200/AMALyra.jpg" /></a></div>
After we returned to the ship we packed, had a delightful final meal starring a medallion of excellent lamb, and listed to a great vocal concert by Valerie May, a local singer. Yes, I bought both her CDs.John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-65609894334485257752012-12-18T06:49:00.002-06:002012-12-18T06:58:08.724-06:00Passau to Regensburg - Monday December 17We sailed overnight from Passau to Regensburg, arriving about 2:00 in the afternoon. Regensburg is a medieval city of about 100,000.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHTzYtvtt0w/UNBjSOqH-vI/AAAAAAAACds/jmqeAG5v6SQ/s1600/RegensbergCathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="cathedral in Regensburg" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHTzYtvtt0w/UNBjSOqH-vI/AAAAAAAACds/jmqeAG5v6SQ/s200/RegensbergCathedral.jpg" /></a></div>
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The old town retains much of its gothic architecture, as demonstrated by the Regensberg Cathedral, but also includes a great deal of an Italian hill town look with many seven story buildings demonstrating the wealth of merchants.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0OyWJD20-CU/UNBjbExPgoI/AAAAAAAACd4/CfVDbUqvhxg/s1600/tower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Merchant tower in Regensburg" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0OyWJD20-CU/UNBjbExPgoI/AAAAAAAACd4/CfVDbUqvhxg/s200/tower2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Of course a few were only five stories in height and one had nine stories. All but the lower three floors were for show only and added no usable space to the building.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpccxB7uVUI/UNBjkQF6YRI/AAAAAAAACeE/LiIW6vOoueA/s1600/SirFrances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Francis, our guide in Regensburg" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpccxB7uVUI/UNBjkQF6YRI/AAAAAAAACeE/LiIW6vOoueA/s200/SirFrances.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />We had a delightful guide names Francis, or Sir Francis, or St. Francis. He was born not too far from Regensburg, is probably 74 and 75 , and delighted us with stories of his childhood during WW II. When his little city was bombed school was out for seven months to the delight of the kids. In addition there were bombed out houses, forbidden to enter of course, which made great play areas for 7-10 year old boys. His father was in the military and came home only once a year. Since his mother was less of a disciplinarian than his father Francis felt, on the whole, privileged to be free of his father's discipline for much of the year. Nine months later he had a new sibling. Francis is a great story teller and we loved our time with him.<br /> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StBS1q2Roqo/UNBjshMzJdI/AAAAAAAACeQ/iA8ymCbRXCo/s1600/taxiscastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Christmas market in Regensburg" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StBS1q2Roqo/UNBjshMzJdI/AAAAAAAACeQ/iA8ymCbRXCo/s200/taxiscastle.jpg" /></a></div>
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After the tour of the old city we walked another 10-15 minutes to the Christmas market at the Thurn and Taxis Castle. The castle, a former monastery, is larger than Buckingham Palace. It was given to the family that currently owns it in exchange for their franchise of postal operations in the south of Bavaria. It is still occupied (at least parts of it) by the family.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdoLLa0HxR4/UNBj2nwUZGI/AAAAAAAACec/zMo2B7GgE2E/s1600/RMkt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Christmas market in Regensburg" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdoLLa0HxR4/UNBj2nwUZGI/AAAAAAAACec/zMo2B7GgE2E/s200/RMkt1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMDamwoEThk/UNBj99EXecI/AAAAAAAACeo/XXxNqOa9y-A/s1600/Rmkt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Connie at the Christmas Market in Regensburg" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMDamwoEThk/UNBj99EXecI/AAAAAAAACeo/XXxNqOa9y-A/s200/Rmkt2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Now I understand the fuss about Christmas markets. This market was huge. It had many new goods and wares in the many booths: bows and arrows, animal skin rugs, modern grills fired by wood, and a large number of booths displaying the works of artists of all kinds. It is open four weeks and draws, according to St. Francis, "hundreds of thousands of visitors (at 6.80 Euros a head)". From the crowd there at 4pm on a Monday evening I can believe St. Francis!
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XP-Q5YHJwK4/UNBkEj0BzaI/AAAAAAAACe0/TbLex68UAbw/s1600/nude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Nude filligre sculpture" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XP-Q5YHJwK4/UNBkEj0BzaI/AAAAAAAACe0/TbLex68UAbw/s200/nude.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />On our way back to the ship we passed through another Christmas market devoted to artists. It was a very small market but Connie spotted a "must have" for me: a metal filigree nude sculpture. Unfortunately it continues to be a <i>must have not yet acquired</i>. I will save my next 750 Euros and think about it.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3b8YOUyY0k/UNBkQc4LFxI/AAAAAAAACfA/GLqx8gZFOCY/s1600/captparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Captain's reception" title="Source: John H Strange"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3b8YOUyY0k/UNBkQc4LFxI/AAAAAAAACfA/GLqx8gZFOCY/s200/captparty.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /> After returning to the ship we had a Captain's cocktail party followed by a caroling session performed by the staff. And then Santa arrived! At night we left shoes outside our door. I will report tomorrow what happened with our shoes.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJU6YJPS8Gg/UNBkYgJYYVI/AAAAAAAACfM/1BairhPd8ns/s1600/sing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:left; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Ama Lyra staff caroling" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJU6YJPS8Gg/UNBkYgJYYVI/AAAAAAAACfM/1BairhPd8ns/s200/sing.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR_C30DfNAg/UNBkhs9FYjI/AAAAAAAACfY/eCEJOUxZuQ8/s1600/C%2526Jsanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:left; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Connie and John with Santa" title="Source: Terri Olear"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR_C30DfNAg/UNBkhs9FYjI/AAAAAAAACfY/eCEJOUxZuQ8/s200/C%2526Jsanta.jpg" /></a></div>
John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-52179579980535066652012-12-16T11:09:00.001-06:002012-12-16T11:14:30.104-06:00Linz, Austria to Passau Germany - Sunday December 16, 2012We had an opportunity to take a trip to Salzburg but decided to stay aboard the AMALyra. The decision was based on several factors: 1) it is cold (33 degrees Farenheit); it is rainy; it is very foggy; all the shops are closed on Sundays (except the Christmas markets); four of the seven hours of the trip were on a bus; it cost $ 100 a person; I like to relax on the ship. The ship is not too far from Passau as I write this. The rest of the group will join us in Passau.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6UAY2yYEho/UM3cYj58OeI/AAAAAAAACcU/mn9Jd4jbb0k/s1600/wheelroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="wheelhouse" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6UAY2yYEho/UM3cYj58OeI/AAAAAAAACcU/mn9Jd4jbb0k/s200/wheelroom.jpg" /></a></div>
Our morning started with an entertaining and informative visit to the wheelhouse. As you can see in this picture, there is no "wheel" just screens, joy sticks, and computers. The captain gave us an entertaining history of how he came to be a captain. It is genetic. His grandfather, father and he were all born on boats and all have been captains. I am not sure what happened to the genetics recently since none of his three grown children are captains. The ship has a retractible wheelhouse that allows the ship to pass under low bridges on the Main-Danube Canal which we will enter sometime tomorrow. We were in the wheelhouse for a demonstration. Lots of fun.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsKia8Hs7gg/UM395jE_CkI/AAAAAAAACc0/yKix94tjgTg/s1600/lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="lock" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsKia8Hs7gg/UM395jE_CkI/AAAAAAAACc0/yKix94tjgTg/s200/lock.jpg" /></a></div>
As we were in the wheelhouse we entered the first of three locks encountered today. The fog was so thick that I did not see the entrance to the lock until we were there! We were the only ship in the lock for the first two locks. In the third we were one of three ships in the lock going upstream while at least one ship (sister ship to the AMALyra) was in the downstream lock. You need to see the collection of pictures to get a feeling for what happens. in this picture the lock has almost filled with water and we are to leave shortly after this picture was take.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTlbzdC8OOo/UM3-Optf29I/AAAAAAAACdA/ooU1PryJBZM/s1600/castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="castle now a home of Hapsburg family" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTlbzdC8OOo/UM3-Optf29I/AAAAAAAACdA/ooU1PryJBZM/s200/castle.jpg" /></a></div>
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Continuing on in dense fog we passed one of several castles that would be visible under normal circumstances. We could not see most because of the fog. Despite the fog, I was able to get a picture of one of the castles standing on a hill above the Danube. It is currently occupied by members of the - yes - Hapsburg family.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OW50YqzJgSI/UM3_Netp7gI/AAAAAAAACdM/WYSKRhCVFlk/s1600/castle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Castle now a hotel on huge rock over Danube River" title="Source: John H. Strange"border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OW50YqzJgSI/UM3_Netp7gI/AAAAAAAACdM/WYSKRhCVFlk/s200/castle3.jpg" /></a></div>
I also got a picture of the castle that stands where the Bishop of Passau had a castle in the 17th century. The ruins were purchased about 1850 by a private family. A hotel was built as a castle and is still operated by the family. From what I can tell the guests must be lowered by rope from a helicopter.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2JreMTLE18/UM4AMM9OLYI/AAAAAAAACdY/ZVqSNHBoP5Q/s1600/village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Austrian village on the Danube" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2JreMTLE18/UM4AMM9OLYI/AAAAAAAACdY/ZVqSNHBoP5Q/s200/village.jpg" /></a></div>
Shortly after we left the third lock the sun appeared - for about four or five minutes. Just as the fog rolled in again I was able to take a few pictures including this one of a picturesque Austrian village on the port side of the ship. If the village had been on the starboard side, it would have been in Germany. <br /> <br />After we docked in Passau we took an hour tour of Passau. We were unable to go inside St. Stephen's Cathedral, however, because of a Christmas concert. <br /><br />
<b>Coming Soon</b><br />
I will expand on these items in a later report:<br />
Room - Excellent. The bathroom is especially nice for a ship and standard room.<br />
Staff - Excellent<br />
Guides - charming, attractive (especially Kati at Melk) and excellent<br />
Breakfasts - Excellent<br />
Lunch - Very Good Plus<br />
Light lunches in lounge - Excellent<br />
Dinners<br />
• Main courses of regional food: Very Very good to Excellent<br />
• Vegetables: Good regional choices<br />
• Presentation: Excellent plus<br />
• Service - Excellent<br />
• Permanent menu items OK<br />
• Hamburgers: started cooking yesterday. Inedible by me.<br />
• White wines; good to very good<br />
• Red wines - Poor to fair<br />
• Overall: A delightful experience so far. Highly Recommended.<br />John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779340500454537229.post-58135664025712394902012-12-15T14:34:00.000-06:002012-12-16T08:51:24.769-06:00Melk to Linz, Austria - Saturday December 15We docked in Melk after an overnight trip from Vienna. Melk is a very small village of 900 residents and it has an enormous (in physical size) Abbey which houses 30 Benedictine monks. Half serve as priests to the local parishes, half work in the monastery. The monastery contains two parts, the Royal portion and the religious portion. The Abbey was founded in about 800. The Hapsburgh (who else) gave the land and the then building to the Benedictines in 900 or so but required that a portion be available for the traveling monarchs when needed. Sixty rooms were reserved fot the 300 or so in the royal retinue when the monarch traveled. The currect abbey was completed in the mid 1700s.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IDpPJSk96Q/UMy9rDPOzLI/AAAAAAAACbI/3-5ijs6K15g/s1600/abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Abbey at Melk" title="Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IDpPJSk96Q/UMy9rDPOzLI/AAAAAAAACbI/3-5ijs6K15g/s200/abbey.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Melk Abbey sits atop a high hill and overlooks the village of Metz and the Danube. Some 480,000 people have visited the Abbey this year. Thus it survives.
We walked from the boat to a bus which took us some 200 yards from the Abbey. Upon alighting from the bus we encountered ice on the walkways and a slight drizzle. The temperature was 1 degree centigrade, just above freezing. Needless to say we moved very carefully and very slowly. We first visited the Royal Quarters where several museums display some of the artifacts from the Hapsburg wealth. We then continued to the library which contains over 3000 books, many of which are 400 -500 years old and handwritten. Then we entered the chapel. It is beautiful beyond words, but unlike most Roman churches it the way it is arranged and decorated. Our guide referred to it as more theatre than church, The altar was very modern but fit into the baroque character of the chapel.<br /> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5yxjFHV8l4/UMzgkySQhuI/AAAAAAAACbc/Oz9uTXccAMw/s1600/crown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img alt="Gold crown" title= "Source: John H Strange" border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5yxjFHV8l4/UMzgkySQhuI/AAAAAAAACbc/Oz9uTXccAMw/s200/crown.jpg" /></a></div>
One of the highlights was a huge gold crown which sits above where one would expect to find the altar in most churches.<br /><br />
After leaving the chapel we were to walk down a path of about 100 yards to the village of Melk. Two of the first to try the slope fell on the ice. Neither was hurt since they landed in a sitting position. Walking, however, was abandoned and a mini-buse shuttled the members of the group (100 or so passengers) to the town. After visiting the Christmas market I had a cup of tea and we rejoined the ship some 30 kilometers up the river. We boarded, sailed, had lunch, went through two locks and arrived at Linz, the third largest city in Austria. <br /><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ni2hKDhVULM/UMzhOrMA4aI/AAAAAAAACbo/y-b5S5ud848/s1600/CmasMkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img title ="Source: John H Strange" alt="Christmas market"border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ni2hKDhVULM/UMzhOrMA4aI/AAAAAAAACbo/y-b5S5ud848/s200/CmasMkt.jpg" /></a></div>
We walked on what will soon be (if not already are) icy sidewalks for 10 minutes and then came to heavily salted sidewalks. Five minutes later we came to a Christmas Market. What else would one expect? It was very crowded being a Saturday night at 6:30 pm. Now you may wonder about all these Christmas markets. They all have glog bars (mulled wine, punch with or without vodka, and various other hot drinks or cold beer).The ratio of glog bars to other stands is approximately 1 to 10. In the other shops you will find: roasted and candied nuts; candles; sweaters; nativity scenes and characters; blown glass; art artifacts; wood carvings and related items; smellies (incense, soap, bath oils); pottery; scarves and ties. Sort of like a knockoff art fair in the United States. But there is the glog bar!<br /> <br />
More tomorrow!John Hadley Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.com1