Okay. So. We took the train to Sacre Coeur (spelling subject to correction), a church in Paris. Let me change that. We took the train to a place relatively near the church and then walked several blocks through mobs of scam artists (there were at least 5 "shell games" per block), got physically grabbed by a few others (the apparently wanted to tie a string on my finger...), and then finally arrived at the church itself. Oh wait, no, we then had to climb several flights of stairs covered in mobs of people. Then we were at the church.
All right so I exaggerated the walking bit but the mobs of people and scam artist bits are not exaggerated in the least.
Inside the church was amazing, as usual of churches that one makes special excursions to see, but as was also expected there was a strict ban of cameras (also irksome: the patronizing way people tell you you're not allowed to use cameras. They assume anyone with a camera is an ignorant fool who never sees the signs banning cameras...and sadly for the most part they're right...).
We spent the rest of our time there wandering around the area; there was an artists area which was really cool to see...all painters and sketchers working outside where anyone can watch...it was fascinating to watch a painter change what was just a flat bit of colour into a corner of an apartment building with just a few applications of colour.
We also stopped by the wall where "I love you" is written in over 300 languages....including such languages as Cuneiform, Hieroglyphics, Latin, and sign language. Funnily enough, while I found all those and the English version, I never found the French translation...one would have thought that would be relatively prominent. We also probably ended up being in the background of some students' news project...
Onwards to the Eiffel Tower! Someone had recommended we go in the evening for the sunset views and supposedly smaller crowds. Well. If those were smaller crowds I don't want to see the big ones. As the line for the elevator to the second deck was jam packed we decided to take the stairs (at the second level you can't take the stairs any further...elevator only). My dad, my brother, and I decided that we would run up the stairs to the first level. I made it first in just under three minutes. The bad news was that about three quarters of the way up my legs just completely died. You know how people always say "I was so tired my legs felt like jelly"? Yeah. That. With no exaggeration. I'm actually not quite sure how I lifted my legs up the stairs for bit after that...I seem to remember using my arms and the handrail a lot. When I did get to the first level, panting and exhausted, I tried to get my camera out to take some pictures. Nope. Wasn't happening. Waaay too tired. In all seriousness I almost passed out while recovering from my epic but somewhat foolhardy ascent. It took me at least fifteen minutes to be ready to start the next set of stairs. So; what's the moral of the story? Do NOT attempt to run up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower two at a time unless you are hyper fit. I mean REALLY fit. Even if you think you're in really good shape and have great endurance...think twice. My dad is one of those people...but he was also really exhausted after the climb and it took him 50 seconds longer.
Moving on...away from the subject of climbing the Eiffel Tower. One of the irritating things about the structure of the Tower is that as people walk around on it it shakes the floor, which means the tripod shakes as well. That made it well-nigh impossible to take any scenery shots.
Oh, and did I mention it was absolutely freezing? And windy? It was COLD up there. And at the top...whew...apparently it was -20 Celsius with the wind chill (which was pretty significant, let me tell you). Luckily they had an indoor area up there as well but it was still cold. Brrr. After a few failed attempts at a shot of the moon rise we went back down. (also, try handling a metal tripod when it's freezing cold and you have no gloves. The things I go through to take pictures...)
And...well...that's it.
Pics pics pics
I just loved this shot. My mother, on the other hand, didn't love the way I took it.
Sacre Coeur
Walking around the town area...took a lot of these kind of shots.
My dad walked into the frame just as I took the shot. It came out well enough that I didn't have to be frustrated. ;-)
The stairs up to the second level.
As I was picking out the pictures for this entry I figured I was going to commentate on this one by saying that it was the only semi-decent landscape shot i got on the Eiffel Tower. Turns out that one of the failed moonrise shots actually had some pretty sharp city scene. Cropped, straightened...and below.
Thank goodness for elevators. That's all I can say.
The aforementioned failed moonrise. The city scenery was just too sharp to discard. In the other landscape it's all a little fuzzy if you view it full screen but this one came out really nice and crisp. Ah, serendipity.
Thus concluded our trip to Paris. It was an amazing trip and I loved it all...except the cold. That we could have done without. And now I guess I've saved you guys from having to hear my (try) to sing "Hail to Bermuda"...trust me that would not have been a pleasant experience for you or me.
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