A Triomph of Impressionism

Today we started our day with the Arc de Triomph. It is a large arc built by Napoleon to impress visitors but rededicated to the rememberance of those who've served in the French military. It is in the centre of a "star" of roads leading away from it, creating a beautiful view from the top but an insane traffic situation down below! One of the roads that flows away is the Champs D'Elysses, a grand boulevard of with some of Paris's most elite shops and dining. I stood in a long line to buy some macaroons at Laduree-they were so soft and flavourful! (But expensive, not Rubens favourite!)

After walking down the Champ D'Elysses, we went to the Orsay museum houses in an old train station. The building alone is amazing! But the art inside, from the years after the Lourve to not quite modern art, was really outstanding. I don't know a lot about art, but although I can appreciate many 

styles...Impressionism makes me happy!

We saw works by Van Gogh, Monet, Rodin and Degas. I love the colorful, elegant but realistic ballet dancers by Degas. He loved to show real people in everyday scenes, and especially liked to show the behind the scenes movement and preparation of the ballet. Gorgeous!!!!

I promised to talk about some of the wonderful food we've had so far. In London we enjoyed a variety of international foods: mushroom ravioli (called pasta pockets) in a light cream sauce, a baguette sandwhich with delightfully salty prosciutto, and a cappuccino that was about 1 inch high in a small cup! We didn't get a pasty, which I really wanted to do, darn it!

In France it's been one culinary delight after another: a buttery and crisp at the edges Nutella crepe, perfect baguettes, Beef borgongion that was tres tender, straight from the sea scallops, hot chocolate that came with melted chocolate in a mug and a pot of steamed milk, and the best cheeses we've ever had. So many flavours just singing in your mouth! And our favourite thing about dining is the cafes, where you spill out into the streets and enjoy the weather and scenes of people passing by. 

Eiffel Tower tomorrow!