From France to Spain

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Dear Max and Dominic,

I wish I could show you clearly how rich the city of Paris is in terms of its monuments and museums. It seems as if every time you turn a corner in the central part of that huge city there is another amazing place to visit. We went to see the house that a sculptor called Rodin used to live in. It is in a beautiful garden and the old house is lovely. A high wall protects it from the noise and traffic of the city so you feel as if you are in another world. But over the wall you can still see that surrounding the house are other amazing buildings too. The photo shows the dome of a huge church, covered in gold paint, peeking over the fence. It is the church in a huge building for French soldiers wounded in battle. Everywhere you go there is someting new to see. Rodin made many wonderful sculptures, both large and small, and many of them are kept in his old house and garden. The picture shows a very famous one called "The Thinker". I have always wondered what he was thinking about. Rodin actually copied him from another version he did of the same sculpture, much smaller, on top of another one called "The Gates of Hell". Perhaps he is thinking that it all looks pretty terrible in hell and he'd much rather be at home reading a book, or having an icecream in Hagley Park, or having a hug with his fantastic sons?

We have flown to Barcelona now, a city on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea in Spain. The centre of the city is very very old and the winding streets are so narrow you can't even drive a car down them. We have an apartment in this area to stay in. It is hot hot hot - like the middle of summer in Christchurch but actually early autumn here. I'm so glad that we have an air conditioner! Do you remember my brother Sam and his wife Leire? She comes from this city and we might go and see her Mum and Dad in a couple of days time.

Barcelona has many wonderful things to see too. One thing we looked at today were the two catherdrals. Take a look at the photo inside the old cathedral. It is so old that one of its walls has been there for nearly two thousand years - the Romans built it when they were in charge here! Inside that cathedral is a courtyard with a fountain and real live swans that live in it. The other catheral hasn't even been finished yet but it is quite amazing. Inside that one, everything is light and bright and glowing. What do you think of the jewel-like symbol for Saint Matthew? No swans inside this church!

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Comments

[Christine]

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Hi Matthew Your sotires are wonderful. I am really enjoying reading them and now have Barcelona (along with Paris) on my wishlist to visit. We are getting excited about our trip now- receiving many instructions on a daily basis on how to prepare! See you soon Regards Christine