Paris Trip 2012

Paris In Black And White

Photography, Travel and Other Adventures

When I visited Paris in September I decided to bring four rolls of Kodak Tri-x with me – one roll for each day. I am not sure what made me decide to bring black and white film of all things, but I am really glad I did.

I knew I was going to take my darkroom class eventually and in the back of my mind I decided that I wanted to develop this film myself. So I stuck it my desk drawer until this past March. It was a delight to develop this film after having visited several months ago. It was fun to relive the memories of being there! I’ve also been printing many of the prints which has also been fun. The last time I was in the darkroom the other person in there was also printing something from when he visited Paris. It was really cool to compare stories.

Lonely statue in a garden at the Louvre
Bikes and Skateboarders at the Musee D’Orsay
A statue inside the Louvre
Pyramids at the Louvre
Prayers at Notre Dame

The Louvre

Travel and Other Adventures

The main entrance of the palace

I wanted to write a substantial blog post but the day got away from me so, instead, I am sharing another photo from our trip. Which, actually, is pretty substantial.

I am back at work this week. It’s hard to come back to work after being somewhere so life-changing and fabulous. I haven’t ever traveled outside the United States and the experience of visiting another country was so amazingly eye-opening. I want more of it! I have been bitten by the travel bug.

I am also completely in love with France. I have always had an interest, being that I am French genetically speaking. I have especially been fascinated by the French Revolution. But now I want to learn more. I am totally fascinated by Paris, the people, the history, everything.

For example, I had no idea the the Louvre was the King’s Castle before it became the Louvre. I just had no idea. I find it fascinating that this is not something that I knew. It is like the revolutionaries took over the castle, opened it up for the people as a museum, and then downplayed the fact that it belonged to royalty. I am kind of thinking that is pretty cool. Fascinating, for sure.

Also, seeing this building in person was incredible. It is absolutely mind-blowing in it’s grandeur.  We have  nothing like this here, really. I had no basis for comparison at all. This castle (and this is the first castle I have ever seen in person) drives home how royalty lived, and it really caused me to see the Revolution in a whole new light.

Seeing this history that I have been reading about for so many years was beyond amazing.

Pyramids

Photography, Travel and Other Adventures

I have decided that I don’t really like the pyramids. But, then, perhaps I am not sophisticated enough to understand the artistic intent. I am wondering why Pei chose to use a pyramid. I suppose I can understand why as far as practical reasons go. However, aesthetically, it really looks out of place. What are your thoughts?

When we wandered out the Louvre, both times, I was totally shocked by the Apple Store in the Carrousel (the shopping mall that you walk through as you exit). It was totally surreal to wander around in this place with so much, mind-blowingly so, history and be confronted with something so American and representative  of the present time. I was so shocked by this that I completely missed La Pyramide Inversée (featured prominently  in The DiVinci Code). I wandered by this thing twice and don’t have any recollection of it.

Dancers on the Seine

Travel and Other Adventures

The evening of the third day we were in Paris, Raf and I wanted to take a stroll down the river. We walked down the ancient stairs to the riverbank, and noticed that there was quite a crowd of young people hanging out down there. It was really cool. Some of them were in groups, some of them coupled. All of them drinking either beer or wine. Some were chatting with each other, others were reading. Most of them were enjoying the scenery. Everyone was having a nice time. We had a seat and soaked it all in. To our right somebody started playing guitar and singing a Bob Marley song, “No Woman No Cry.” Then they played something with more punch and a couple got up and started dancing. I was all, “if ever there was a moment to snap a photo, this would be it.” So I did.

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Musee d’Orsay

Travel and Other Adventures

I have been up since 3:45 this morning. This jet lag thing is a real drag. Needless to say, I am exhausted. I have spent the day doing laundry and looking at photos from my trip, wishing I was still there.

Here is a shot from the top floor of Musee d’Orsay.