Top: Winged Victory, found on the island of Samothrace, and The Venus de Milo, both Greek statues dating from the Hellenistic period (late 3rd to 2nd century BC)
. If you don't know anything about these statues and you are interested, Google them. I studied these in college art classes, and I am very grateful that I got to see them in person.
Two views of the famous Eiffel Tower, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. It is 1,046 feet tall and was the world's tallest building until 1931 when the Empire State Building in NYC was finished.
We were standing under the tower at night when I took that second pic. The area it covers on the ground is huge, which was surprising and unexpected to me at first, but when you think about it, something that tall almost has to have a large footprint.
We went all the way to the top (the third level) which holds 400 people at a time. There were long lines the night we were there, and it was chilly and very windy. We had to stand outside on the bottom 2 viewing levels waiting for the elevators, and we made conversation with 3 other couples from the USA. You could hear nearly every language imaginable that night. The atmosphere was very clear and we could see for miles and miles, but it was too cold to stand in the open area for long. I hope some day I get the chance to go up there in the daytime.
7 comments:
I don't have much desire to visit Paris, perhaps the French countryside. I would like to see the tower though. My brother visited the Louvre on one of his stays there and he had the same impression as you. He thought they could have had better lighting and maps and display of the paintings and other art. If you ever go back you must set aside a full day to visit the Uffizi in Florence. Their display technique is fabulous and there are long benches and seats everywhere, positioned so that you can really sit and examine the art. I thought it even better than the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
I was once at the Louvre and only for some 4 hours while parts of it were closed to the public. I went in to see the Mona Lisa and the Venus, I remember those two moments very well!
i'm sure it was a great experience, seeing those statues. being in the presence of anything that old and historic is an awe-inspiring experience for me. and , no, i didn't realize you were from WV. do you live there now? i've been to charleston several times. we drove through there last winter on our way to KY, and i used to have a friend that lived there.
That Nike of Samothrace is just so beautiful. I remember once being in an art history class and it was on the screen and I just about cried.
When I actually saw it in person, I just about cried, too. Until I got mad, because Japanese tourists were touching it, which prompted me to come up with an idea for a job that would allow me to stay in Paris: they could give me a ruler and I could stand there and smack the knuckles of anyone who wanted to put their grimy hands on the Nike's toes.
So good to finally have a chance to sit and catch up on your blog (and your trip!)Looks like I have lots to read and see!
Despite living so close I've never visited Paris, I have been to Lille though which was beautiful. I did live in Greece for a while and love all things Greek so will be going to find out more about those statues!
Thanks for sharing more of your adventure :)
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