The Maddux clan reunites in Paris

The last week Scott and I were in Paris, we were joined by Scott's parents, Dave and Jana, and his little sister, Caroline. After two weeks in Paris by ourselves with no other English speakers this was a welcome change. Hanging out with family is always good. It also happened that sight seeing wasn't even the top priority for family activities. Scott was born in Paris, France, and it was Caroline's third time visiting, so none of us had a sight agenda. We were just there to be with each other. We did, however, go and see their old apartment, and the hospital where Scott and Steven were both born. We had lots of yummy food, and there was much girl time chatting with Jana and Caroline. (first pic: Scott on his old street; 2nd pic: Scott and I in front of the hospital in Paris where he was born)

On our last day together, Dave was feeling under the weather, so Scott stayed at the hotel with his dad, and us girls went out to see what we could see. Jana wanted to spend some time shopping, and Caroline and I wanted to see more Paris, so we parted ways temporarily, and Caroline and I headed to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees. We climbed to the top of the Arc for a fantastic view of the city, and then headed to the Luxembourg Gardens. The hours we spent at the Luxembourg Gardens were all too short. That was the very definition of vacation. A beautiful garden so big it can hold Parisians and tourists alike, without feeling crowed or stuffy. We found a few chairs, put our feet up and commenced with our relaxation activities. Caroline read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, that she picked up at the Shakespeare and Co. book store just before, and I started a new lace knitting pattern for a scarf. We could have spent many more hours there, but alas, we settled for two, and then headed back to meet everyone for dinner.(pictured above: the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe)

After dinner, we all headed to the Eiffel tower to see it sparkle in the last rays of the evening light. It was at this picturesque moment that we all had to say good-bye. The next day Scott's parents, and Caroline were headed back to Moscow, Russia, and Scott and I had a train to catch to Les Eyzies, France. What a great way to end our time in Paris, with Scott's family where there family first began.

Where we all said good-bye.

Having some lunch.

Paris again

Ok, so after two weeks in Paris, I have done tons of stuff! Here is a list.

Museums visited -- 10: Louvre - art, Versailles, Pompidou - modern art, Jewish Art and History, Orangerie - late 19th and early 20th century art, Rodin - sculpture, Cluny - medieval art, Orsay - art, Natural History, and the Museum of Evolution.

Other sights and activities: outside of Notre-Dame (too crowed to get in, but don't worry I have a whole week left), Rick Steves guided walking tour around the Left Bank, relaxing in the Luxembourg garden, shopping at an open market, and eating lost of rich and tasty French food.

Since I can't possibly do tell you about all of it I will just show you the highlights of my pics.

First dinner at the Louvre, which is the first picture on this blog. I had a lovely cheese plate as you can see above. I also like the second pic directly below it, because you can see the top of the huge pyramid in the background marking the entrance to the Louvre. I saw such great works as the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory (my favorite), and the Mona Lisa. Why are there no pics of this you ask? Well, photography was allowed without a flash, however...everyone completely ignored that rule, and millions of flashes were going off all around me damaging the art more and more as the minutes rolled on!...so I decided not to add to the rape of the artwork with my camera in any way shape or form. I was too disgusted. Aren't you glad you asked?

The third pic is me in front of a large statue in front of the Muse de Orsay. There are six of these representing different areas of the world; I am in front of "Africa." You'll notice that I am a wearing a large black boot on my right leg. For those of you who may not know, about 10 days before this trip I found out that I had a stress fracture in the 3rd metatarsal of my foot. I got this stress fracture from changing the way I run. I blame "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall. I loved loved loved loved that book and I will continue to go back to the running principles I learned from this book as soon as my foot heals properly. Anyway, the fourth pic with Scott and a giant version of on of Van Gogh's self portrait is one of my favorites because, *smirk,* Scott looks like Van Gogh.

Fifth we have the beautiful pic of me...and the Notre-Dame cathedral. :) Next...


The last two pics (6&7) are from the Rodin museum. Guess what?! Rodin is considered the best sculptor since Michelangelo! That's quite a compliment! I do LOVE his sculpture, so I took a few pics outside in the gardens, and a couple inside too, sans flash. He is considered an impressionist sculptor, so his works look unfinished on purpose. He was looking to create the feeling of energy movement and life in his statues. If you'll notice, there is a feeling of restlessness and tension in his work, and I think that is so cool! Rodin's art is my new art "discovery" on this trip. I always have room to love some new art!



6) Me and The Thinker











7) Does anyone else think these guys need to be in a Beyonce video? "oh oh oh...if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it..."

Maddux OUT!

Paris reflections

What to say about Paris....I love it here. I have to admit that it's taken me this long to post because I've been reluctant to come out of my fantasy land and admit that I'm not staying. Don't get me wrong, I really miss my friends; it's an odd dichotomy to want to be with your friends and a part of your community, but wish to utterly escape your life at home at the same time. I love the people here, I love the language, the art, the food...I am at home and at peace here. However, that may just be because I do not have the same responsibilities and demands on my time here as I do at home. Is this what vacation is like? If so, I am totally spoiled. To disappear into a totally foreign experience - a whole new culture, is so liberating. I find myself less afraid to be myself.

So what have I seen so far? Well, many many sights, and museums, which I will list in another post, but my favorite things are always just sitting in a cafe enjoying an espresso while people watching, or trying to talk to someone who knows less English than I do French, or just sitting in a shady spot in a garden reading or knitting. Is it okay that I'm not including any pics in this particular Paris post? I will post pics and get into what touristy things I have seen, but in the mean time I am loving just blending in to Parisian society -- buying fresh fruit at the open market, going to the local organic food store for breakfast or lunch, doing laundry, and smiling when someone starts to talk to me in French. (That means that they don't know I'm not French *smile*)

Scott and I eat at least one meal at the same restaurant, Le Diplomat, every day. The wait staff there already knows our faces and greets us warmly when we walk in the door. (No, it's not a sushi restaurant...I know it's shocking) We walk down the same streets every day, away from the tourist crowds...I love coming "home" to that every night. I do wish I could live here. More later...