I think im going to back track a little and share some my past experiences and shoots. Ill start back at our last vacation (about seven months ago), to one of the most beautiful places i have visited, Paris, France. I must admit this is my first time to Europe and haven't seen enough, but i can be certain that Paris is going to be tops on my list of beautiful places. Paris is a photographers dream, there is so much architecture, landscape, people to fill any camera memory card.
Ahh, Paris, oh how i miss the overly crowded streets filled with tiny cars and equally sized motorcycles. The noise of the city interrupted the occasional honking of vehicles and tapping of hurried shoes as everybody rushes to work, play or tourists who are running late to catch a tour. We greatly enjoyed our breaks at any of the dozens of cafe's that occupy any city block. You can pick any that has a hot cup of coffee and vast selection of desserts.
As i write this quick synopsis of our vacation, it brings a tear to my face just to see some of our favorite shots of places we visited while in Paris. We hope to soon re-visit the busy streets.
The Catacombs:
Kind of a creepy place and no place for people who are claustrophobic. You're basically walking down very tight corridor and following a path that seems never-ending. The ceiling loosens a bit, giving more breathing room but barely enough to completely relax. You then find yourself in some smaller rooms where small art works are chiseled out from rocks that occupy the walls.
You continue further to larger rooms to encounter an increasingly creepier room filled with the soulles remains of the forgotten or misplaced bodies. Much to my amazement the bones that line the rooms of the catacombs are not fastened nor glued to one-another, instead, they're loosely stacked and can easily be moved or shifted.
An interesting and amazing site if you're not faint at heart.
Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris:
Simply breathtaking views and architecture! I really wanted to climb the circular steps at Notre Dame, however, we arrived late. However, we did get a chance to see the Crown of Thorns and other relics while at our visit at Norte Dame. What an interesting visit. We were unfortunately unable to take pictures, other wise i would post them.. :)
The Palace of Versailles:
What an amazing place! ahh, to have been rich and to live in these wonderful mansions and palaces. The artwork, the attention to detail and the craftsmanship of these palaces were simply incredible!
The murals on the ceilings were magnificent!
Their opulence occupied every inch of the palace even to their chandeliers and gold trimmed sleeping quarters.
The grounds at Versailles, were equally amazing!
Sharon, Melody and Linda, my travel buddies for this trip... and what a great trip it was!!
The fountains around Paris were beautiful!! Here's a couple of shots near the Place de la Concorde..
L'Obelisque
Mel with the Avenue des Champs-Elysees behind her..
The Eiffel Tower!!
Le Carrousel
Musse du Louvre
The night that i happen to be wandering around the Musse du Louvre for pictures, i walked into a near by hallway, where this gentleman was playing his saxophone. The sounds that filled that archway was magnificent! You literally felt the music!
Here's Mel and I in front of Chambord Chateau. What a magnificent castle!
In all, the vacation was wonderful! I want to thank Melody, Sharon and Linda for making it a memorable trip! I truly look forward to vacationing with you all again. As for Paris, i couldnt be happier. The people were very polite which was a contrast to what I've heard about foreigners who do not speak French. I hear stories of rude and unhelpful people in Paris, but we did not experience any of that. There are some things that us Americans need to get used to. Alot of the French waiters sure do love taking their smoke breaks.. In front of you, while you're eating, then serve you food or give you bread, using the same hand (no tongs) that they just smoked with... yeah, nice.. other than that, it was a fantastic trip!
