A weekend on foot. (Photos!)

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Here comes my weekend... Story in the captions.

p.s: There is no feature to reply to the comments that are left, but I love getting them! I'll try to answer any questions within the entries. Please keep writing, it's good to hear your voices. :D

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Photos

Hello river.
There seems to be a river in Paris... I found it! Saturday was very grey and cold, but I kept walking.

Through the trees...
There seems to be something behind there.

Notre Dame
Violà!
(People actually say this all the time... Whever they give you something, usually.)

Eyes of Notre Dame!
One of the saints in this picture is holding his own head in his hands. Beheaded, I figure.

Light through the glass
The inside of the church is dark, except the light from prayer candles, and the huge stained-glass windows.

Under the window.
I feel very tiny.

Skaters
In front of Notre Dame, skaters are whipping aound plastic cups on rollerblades.

Shakespare n' Co.
I find my way, across the river, to Walt Whitman's famous bookstore.

The walls inside.
Not an inch of wall is visible, books line every open space. It is so good to hear english spoken, I get a little emotional.

A place to sleep and read.
Tucked in the corners of the store are a few beds, which are offered to needful travelers in exchange for a few hours work in the store. Thank-you notes are taped by each bed, from each person who spent some time there.

Looking down.
From the top floor of the bookstore, I sneak a photo of the cute boy playing irish fiddle.

Observitory Road.
I take Ave de l'Observatoire up to the Luxembourg Gardens.

Treeline.
All the trees are leafless and brown, I can't wait till it gets warm.

The Gardens.
My favorite place so far, things quiet, and people walked slower around the gardens.

The palace in the gardens.
Someone had this built for someone else, a long time ago.

I saw her...
This nameless statue looked down at me when I first entered the gardens, and I nearly cried. I don't know why, but it was pretty amazing.

Ponies.
Little kids could get rides on these shaggy little ponies.

My first bottle of french wine...
... was not nearly as romantic as I imagined. Yeah, that's the cork floating in it. 0_o

Crepe au Fromage et Sauccion
I thought I was getting a fancy sausage crepe... But the "saussage" ended up being good ol' hot dogs!

The Market.
On sunday, I see where Rue du Vaugiard will take me. It ends in a very busy, very delicious, open air market.

Greenery!
Mmmm leaves.

And Soap!
Everything is organic and smells good here. I sample my way down the isle, ending with a chocolate chaud (a small cup of very rich, dark hot chocolate.)

Cafe
In the late afternoon I make some friends in a Starbucks (home sweet home.) We head out to see a movie, and end in a warm and busy cafe. Pierre (right) buys me a glass of bordeaux. I can't understand the conversation, so I draw the patrons.

Au revoir!
Sunday night on the Champ de Elysses. Till next time, America!

Comments

[anonymous]

W00T!
Only a week in France and Parisian men are already buying you drinks! You go girl! ^_^ - !zzy

[anonymous]

Oui!
Wow, your entries are getting better and better -- Paris looks simply /amazing/, and all of this is just fueling my desire to go there! I can't wait! The bookstore post was awesome -- no way would you ever see anything as generous as that around here. People would be afraid they'd be robbed or some such pessimistic (or realistic, in the US?) thought. The gardens are breathtaking -- and the architecture! I died and gone to heaven. :) Glad to see you're having a blast! And really... I'll shutup now. :D

[anonymous]

beautiful pictures! what a wonderful bookstore! a bed for travelers... that is such a lovely idea... - amie

[anonymous]

jealous
JEALOUS!!! ONE WORD~!!! AND SECOND WORD~! ENVY!!!! ~Ed - Ed

[anonymous]

waitaminute...
i was there! i remember that bookstore! and that river! and those farmers markets that seem to find you! i would always order chocolat chaud, so thick and rich, drink one for me!! i also was very teary when i was there too :) *hugs* - jojo

[anonymous]

coffee
Hey! Kel Coffee seems to be your thing, so here are some hints. Coffee is much cheaper at McDonalds, BurgerKing etc. As for an American coffee and it is bigger. To make coffee at your room, just put some coffee grounds in a pan and add water, bring to a boil and turn heat off. Let the coffee grounds settle and walla you have coffee. Loved your pictures. It looked like you did a lot of slow walking. No roses to smell yet, but you have the idea. Love ya, Nana - Nana

[anonymous]

Incredible Pics!
Kelly--are you sure your not a photography student in Paris? This is so special to share in your travels this way. Did you get the name of the cute boy playing fiddle? Love PCM - PCM

[anonymous]

Great pictures!
You can't reply to the posts? Ha ha! Now I can say whatever I want and there's nothing you can do about it! :) Well, those pictures are amazing. The one with your giant head in the river is funny! But don't you wish you were here in the States? Just wait a few months for the effects of the beautiful scenery to wear off and then you'll be craving some Americana. When you do, I'll send you some Pringles. -Jeff :D - Jeff

[anonymous]

My Big Sis Left me for Parie!
T_T *tears* Hope your having fun!*sobs* Miss you! Eat your protein, stay away from strangers, and look both ways before crossing those crazy Paris streets! Sorry to much counciling(sp)! I love your pics and am just dying to be there and see all the great sights!Much love,Your Lil Sis- Katie

[anonymous]

two words
Love you! - Dad