OIDFA Trip Days 9-11 Paris Up at 5:30 to catch the early train to Paris, arriving at Gard du St Lazarre. Had to catch the Metro to my hotel. Having Metro tickets in my pocket made it faster. Once out of the Metro (there were four exits), I got oriented and walked about 4 blocks to my hotel. Room wasn't ready yet, so had to wait a bit. However, I was able to get settled before meeting Diane Ziebold at noon.
We had lunch then took the Metro to the Louvre building, but went to the Textile Museum in the side wing rather than the main museum. It was designer clothing. Some of it did have lace on it. After the Textiles, we saw the Napoleon exhibit and the Design Arts exhibit. By that time we needed a break, so we had wine at a sidewalk cafe and watched the people. It was time for Diane to leave so we found the nearest Metro station for me, and Diane walked back to her hotel. I managed to find my way on the Metro back to my hotel, got something to eat, and tried to sleep. This was the hardest bed I had met up with so far, and Paris is rather noisy. There were sidewalk cafes at each end of the street with music. The weather was warm, so the people were enjoying the evening. Also, this hotel did not have television in the rooms so I had to read myself to sleep. The next day I slept in. It was nice not setting an alarm. Once up, I took the Metro to Notre Dame Cathedral. I had breakfast at a Brasserie across the street from the church, then went in to take a good look. There was a lot of detail to look at. It's a huge place. As I circled the central area, along with several hundred other people, I noticed the guards were moving the barriers away from the central altar. Curious what was happening, I sat down and waited. Soon a bell rang, and two priests came out and walked to the altar. Some people had gathered in the center seating area. Then I realized that they were having Saturday Noon Mass. So I sat through Mass in French. All the singing was unaccompanied so I didn't get to hear the organ but the priest had a good voice. The hundreds of visitors continued circling the central nave during the Mass. After leaving Notre Dame, I walked a few blocks towards the Cluny Museum, stopping at Shakespeare & Co book store. I needed more reading material. Found 3 used English books at a tolerable price. Continuing towards the Cluny, I found the St Severin Church. When I opened the door, I heard singing. There was a high school choir, probably from the USA, giving a concert. I sat down and listened to it. There were greenery and rose bundles hanging from each pillar. Some people in the back of the church were assembling swags of roses and hanging them over the main doors in the rear. My guess was that they were decorating for a wedding later that day. When the choir sat down, more students got up with instruments and they announced the second half of the concert was orchestra music. I listened to a little bit, then looked at the very modern stained glass windows in this church, and left. Next was the Cluny Museum. It was free. It had mostly Roman artifacts and old tapestries, plus church art. Lots of madonna statues.. The Cluny was built on Roman ruins, and some of them are visible. Since it was late afternoon, I found the nearest Metro station and found my way back to the hotel. Dinner at the Brasserie where Diane and I ate, then bed. Bought earplugs at a drugstore so may be able to sleep better. The weather turned very chilly so people did not sit out at the cafes this night so the earplugs were not needed. My last day in Paris I wanted to see as much as possible. I returned to Notre Dame Square and found it full of chairs with people watching an immense projection screen on the side of a truck. A Priest Ordination Services were being conducted with no visitors allowed in. After breakfast, I got a ticket on an Open Tour bus. The main route went past all the famous landmarks. I sat in the top level of the double decker bus for most of the ride. When it started to rain, I moved downstairs. At one point in the tour, I transferred to another bus that ran a route near my hotel. I got off at Republic Square, found some dinner to take to my room, and ended the day. Days 9-11 No lace exhibits. Churches 3 and 4, plus four museums without lace. Alice in Oregon - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
