Disneyland Paris

Ah, Disneyland. The happiest place on earth! Our class was lucky enough to have a field trip to Mickey’s home, and it was such a great experience. I’m from Florida myself, so I grew up going to Disney World in Orlando at least once every two years or so. Some of my best memories as a child were at Disney World, so I was excited to get to experience the European version! Professor Burke had given us the run down of Disneyland Paris and what to expect: We were told that the park ( consisting of the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) were considerably smaller than the one at home. This was a good thing, because we only had a day to get everything done! Professor Burke also told us that while Disney is an American corporation, the Paris location may appear to have been designed to be catered to a European audience. For example: The food, music, and attractions were going to be similar to American Disney, but more French. I was excited to see for myself!

Here is one of the first differences I noticed between American and French Disneyland: Smoking was allowed! Out and about in Paris, I've noticed that smoking is much more prevalent than in America. However, I never thought that smoking would be allowed inside of a theme park! There were no signs prohibiting it, either. I tried my best to sneak a picture of this woman, who was smoking while waiting in line for The Hollywood Tower ride. Allowing smoking in all parts of the park seemed very French- friendly.

Here is one of the first differences I noticed between American and French Disneyland: Smoking was allowed! Out and about in Paris, I’ve noticed that smoking is much more prevalent than in America. However, I never thought that smoking would be allowed inside of a theme park! There were no signs prohibiting it, either. I tried my best to sneak a picture of this woman, who was smoking while waiting in line for The Hollywood Tower ride. Allowing smoking in all parts of the park seemed very French- friendly.

Here is my best picture of something that felt very homey: Main Street USA! The turn of the century Midwestern feel of this street was just like the one we all know and love in Disney World. None of the park's visitors seemed as excited about it as our group! Even though this part of the park felt familiar, it was also different. It was smaller and less emphasized, and not alot of visitors seemed to be in this area. Perhaps the sweet sense of Americana is something only actual Americans enjoy.

Here is my best picture of something that felt very homey: Main Street USA! The turn of the century Midwestern feel of this street was just like the one we all know and love in Disney World. None of the park’s visitors seemed as excited about it as our group! Even though this part of the park felt familiar, it was also different. It was smaller and less emphasized, and not alot of visitors seemed to be in this area. Perhaps the sweet sense of Americana is something only actual Americans enjoy.

Here's a solo shot of me in front of the castle! The Parisian version was much smaller than the American one, and it was very pink!

Here’s a solo shot of me in front of the castle! The Parisian version was much smaller than the American one, and it was very pink!

Of course we had to get a selfie with the castle! Typhani, Kylie and I all had so much fun.

Of course we had to get a selfie with the castle! Typhani, Kylie and I all had so much fun.

Here is a better shot of the castle. You can see that underneath, there is a walkway to go through. In this walkway were shops and a pretty stained glass ceiling! Also, if you look to the sides, there are entrances that take you underground so see the dragon who lives below. Super cool.

Here is a better shot of the castle. You can see that underneath, there is a walkway to go through. In this walkway were shops and a pretty stained glass ceiling! Also, if you look to the sides, there are entrances that take you underground so see the dragon who lives below. Super cool.

Here is one of the ceilings in a Christmas themed shop inside of the castle! I had to get a picture because it displayed Gothic architecture like we learned about earlier in class! The barrel vault style is evident.

Here is one of the ceilings in a Christmas themed shop inside of the castle! I had to get a picture because it displayed Gothic architecture like we learned about earlier in class! The barrel vault style is evident.

This was a building before the castle and main entrance, and I wanted to post it because it looked very European. I understand that castles by nature are a European thing, so one could argue that American Disney is actually largely based on European constructs. Either way, this structure reminded me of Versailles almost.

This was a building before the castle and main entrance, and I wanted to post it because it looked very European. I understand that castles by nature are a European thing, so one could argue that American Disney is actually largely based on European constructs. Either way, this structure reminded me of Versailles almost.

Among other differences that I observed were food options and visitor demographics. There were plenty of restaurants offering “burgers” and fries, the typical fare of theme parks. But the snack stands that are scattered around at any theme park offered crepes, gallettes, and espresso! Normally, a snack stand in an American theme park would offer popcorn  or chips, but the French love their crepes! The demographics of the visitors that I observed were different than I expected. In Disney World, you typically see tons of people from different states, but they are primarily all American. At Disneyland Paris, I saw hundreds of people from all over Europe! British families, Turkish people, German, and Dutch were the largest groups that I observed. Not even a lot of French people were there! This is not really surprising if you think about it. Europe is almost like America in that it’s countries are all connected and only a short train ride away from each other, sort of like American states. So considering that Paris is the only city with a Disney park, it would make sense for a German or British person to be willing to take a train to come visit.

Street Art in Paris

Profanity at Port d'Orleans

Profanity at Port d’Orleans

Tourist art at Montmartre

Tourist art at Montmartre

Graffiti on Bridge

Graffiti on Bridge

Oriental art on Tunisian building

Oriental art on Tunisian building

African Face by Notre Dame

African Face by Notre Dame

Pop art by Metro Station

Pop art by Metro Station

Transportation

Bikes by the Metro

Bikes by the Metro

List of stops on the RER at night

List of stops on the RER at night

"The Kiss" in King's Cross Station, UK

“The Kiss” in King’s Cross Station, UK

Old Vitara model in Montmarte

Old Vitara model in Montmarte

Gripping the poles on the RER

Gripping the poles on the RER

Cars lining the streets of the Loire Valley

Cars lining the streets of the Loire Valley

Musee d’Orsay

Today, our class went on a field trip to the Musee d’Orsay. I’ve been looking forward to this outing for a while now, because impressionist/ post-impressionist art is so fascinating to me! Don’t get me wrong, the classical pieces in the Louvre were incredible, but the more modern works in the d’Orsay are much more my style. The technique and mediums used by the artists who are displayed in the d’Orsay are so refreshing and served as a huge push into modern art as we know it today. Also, the venue itself is really cool. This building was originally the Gare d’Orsay, a train station in the early 1900’s. By 1939, it was transformed into a museum for all of the “rejected” art that was not permitted to be displayed in the salons.  I really enjoyed it, and want to go back again!

Claude Monet, "Plage d'Etretat" This painting was done by the father of impressionism, Monet. Impressionism was all about painting a scene in the way that it appears to you, and nothing about it was stiff or staged like the eras of art before it. I loved this painting because you could really tell that Monet interpreted this "every day scene" (another huge part of impressionism") in his own unique way. He captured natural light and the landscape really well, and the actually texture of the paint was uneven and natural looking.

Claude Monet, “Plage d’Etretat”
This painting was done by the father of impressionism, Monet. Impressionism was all about painting a scene in the way that it appears to you, and nothing about it was stiff or staged like the eras of art before it. I loved this painting because you could really tell that Monet interpreted this “every day scene” (another huge part of impressionism”) in his own unique way. He captured natural light and the landscape really well, and the actually texture of the paint was uneven and natural looking.

Pierre Auguste Renoir : "Julie Manet dit Aussi l'enfant au chat" 1887. Oil on Canvas This portrait of Eugene Manet's daughter was done by his brother in law, Renoir. Both artists admired each others talents. I really liked this painting because it incorporated a pet in a different light than paintings from different eras. The girl and the kitten sort of play off of one another's youth and innocence, and the classical impressionism pastel colors and softness make the portrait seem sincere and warm. In Baroque or Roccoco, pets were posed at the feet of royalty and seemed to signify power, while this child and her kitten don't beg to be anything more than what they are.

Pierre Auguste Renoir : “Julie Manet dit Aussi l’enfant au chat” 1887. Oil on Canvas
This portrait of Eugene Manet’s daughter was done by his brother in law, Renoir. Both artists admired each others talents. I really liked this painting because it incorporated a pet in a different light than paintings from different eras. The girl and the kitten sort of play off of one another’s youth and innocence, and the classical impressionism pastel colors and softness make the portrait seem sincere and warm. In Baroque or Rococo, pets were posed at the feet of royalty and seemed to signify power, while this child and her kitten don’t beg to be anything more than what they are.

Alfred Sisley "Les Regates a Molesey" 1874, oil on canvas This painting by the impressionist landscape artist Sisley depicts several boats from different countries at a regatta.

Alfred Sisley “Les Regates a Molesey” 1874, oil on canvas
This painting by the impressionist landscape artist Sisley depicts several boats from different countries at a regatta.

As I mentioned before, the Musee d'Orsay was previously a train station. I took this photo from the 5th floor at the back of the museum to get a good view of the main hall. You can see the large glass ceiling and clock at the opposite end, these are architectural features that are commonly found in a train station. The contract of urban architecture and impressionist art was very stark, but very visually appealing.

As I mentioned before, the Musee d’Orsay was previously a train station. I took this photo from the 5th floor at the back of the museum to get a good view of the main hall. You can see the large glass ceiling and clock at the opposite end, these are architectural features that are commonly found in a train station. The contract of urban architecture and impressionist art was very stark, but very visually appealing.

Paul Gaugin "La Belle Angele" 1889 Gaugin was a post-impressionism artist, and his pieces were nontraditional. He influenced the future movement of "avant garde" art with his use of distortion, symbolism and islander influences in his later work. In this particular piece, I was forced to use my own imagination to decide what story was being told. That's the point! I decided that the woman in the painting is magnified because she is sitting at a desk in front of a mirror.

Paul Gaugin “La Belle Angele” 1889
Gaugin was a post-impressionism artist, and his pieces were nontraditional. He influenced the future movement of “avant garde” art with his use of distortion, symbolism and islander influences in his later work. In this particular piece, I was forced to use my own imagination to decide what story was being told. That’s the point! I decided that the woman in the painting is magnified because she is sitting at a desk in front of a mirror.

Paul Signac "Le Chateau des Papes" 1900, oil on canvas Signac was a neo-impressionist artist, who helped develop "pointalism" This painting was my favorite of the day! The image of the building is obscured, but clear from a far distance because of the "points." The colors used were not traditional to what the actual landscape probably looked like at all, but they explode across the canvas in an almost shimmering way.

Paul Signac “Le Chateau des Papes” 1900, oil on canvas
Signac was a neo-impressionist artist, who helped develop “pointalism” This painting was my favorite of the day! The image of the building is obscured, but clear from a far distance because of the “points.” The colors used were not traditional to what the actual landscape probably looked like at all, but they explode across the canvas in an almost shimmering way.

Maximilien Luce "Une rue de Paris en mai 1871 dit aussi La Commune" 1903, oil on canvas

Maximilien Luce “Une rue de Paris en mai 1871 dit aussi La Commune” 1903, oil on canvas (pointalism)

Edouard Manet (1832-1883) Asparagus 1880 Oil on canvas This painting of the lonely stalk of asparagus was JB's favorite!

Edouard Manet (1832-1883)
Asparagus
1880
Oil on canvas
This painting of the lonely stalk of asparagus was JB’s favorite!


La Fete National : 14 Julliet

Culture shock is something that I have experienced in countless different ways during my time in Paris. Some of my shock has been negative, some has been positive, but all of it has been a huge comparison lesson. When the 4th of July rolled around, I was homesick like never before! Being in a country that does not even acknowledge the greatest American holiday was strange, but I was excited to experience Bastille Day to be included in French patriotism! I was expecting this holiday to remind me a lot of the 4th of July….

Here is the well known "fly over", done during the military parade on the morning of Bastille Day. It was crazy to see! However, the crowded streets did not cheer or seem excited to see the different soldiers and service men and women as they paraded down the street. In America, the armed forces are viewed as heroes. In France, I got the feeling that the public does not appreciate their militia like we do!

Here is the well known “fly over”, done during the military parade on the morning of Bastille Day. It was crazy to see! However, the crowded streets did not cheer or seem excited to see the different soldiers and service men and women as they paraded down the street. In America, the armed forces are viewed as heroes. In France, I got the feeling that the public does not appreciate their militia like we do!

Here we are! My friends Allison and Alysha (as well as about 8 more friends behind us) claimed a spot on the CROWDED lawn on the Eiffel Tower at about 2 pm. Fireworks were set to start at around 11 pm, so we had a while to wait! We seemed to be the only ones waving our flags...

Here we are! My friends Allison and Alysha (as well as about 8 more friends behind us) claimed a spot on the CROWDED lawn on the Eiffel Tower at about 2 pm. Fireworks were set to start at around 11 pm, so we had a while to wait! We seemed to be the only ones waving our flags…

Here is a better view of the lawn. This was actually before it got super crowded, and most of the spectators were laying on blankets napping, or drinking beer and wine. It was very quiet, but there was a stage set up right under the tower with various choirs and opera singers who performed pretty often throughout the day.

Here is a better view of the lawn. This was actually before it got super crowded, and most of the spectators were laying on blankets napping, or drinking beer and wine. It was very quiet, but there was a stage set up right under the tower with various choirs and opera singers who performed pretty often throughout the day.

A fellow flag holder! Can't you see how excited he is?

A fellow flag holder! Can’t you see how excited he is?

Since we had to protect our spot on the lawn, we would go in groups of two or three to use the restroom or get food. As the festivities progressed, security started to appear. They were checking bags and keeping some sort of "order" for the day. They were pretty laid back and literally let everyone in.

Since we had to protect our spot on the lawn, we would go in groups of two or three to use the restroom or get food. As the festivities progressed, security started to appear. They were checking bags and keeping some sort of “order” for the day. They were pretty laid back and literally let everyone in.

The bane of my existence........ The line for the portable toilets. On one of my trips to the restroom, I decided to take this panorama just to show you how insane this line was! (The smell was even worse)

The bane of my existence…….. The line for the portable toilets. On one of my trips to the restroom, I decided to take this panorama just to show you how insane this line was! (The smell was even worse)

Here is a more pleasant result of one of my trips to get food while waiting for the firework show! At night, the Eiffel Tower lights up and twinkles. You can't really tell that it's twinkling in this photo, but it was so beautiful.

Here is a more pleasant result of one of my trips to get food while waiting for the firework show! At night, the Eiffel Tower lights up and twinkles. You can’t really tell that it’s twinkling in this photo, but it was so beautiful.

Finally!!!! The firework show! It made everything ( the lines, waiting for a festering porta potty, being yelled at in French) It was more like a techno show mixed with a concert than a plain firework show, truly breathtaking. Bastille Day may have not been very similar to the good ol' 4th of July, but sometimes difference is good. As an American, I am very glad to have been a part of it!

Finally!!!! The firework show! It made everything ( the lines, waiting for a festering porta potty, being yelled at in French) It was more like a techno show mixed with a concert than a plain firework show, truly breathtaking. Bastille Day may have not been very similar to the good ol’ 4th of July, but sometimes difference is good. As an American, I am very glad to have been a part of it!

Basilica Cathedral of St. Denis

On Tuesday, my Art in Life class visited an amazing place: The Basilica Cathedral of St. Denis. This medieval Cathedral has served many religious purposes since it’s completion in roughly 1144, and is considered to be the first Gothic cathedral. It is located in St. Denis, France: a small suburb of Paris. Many French royals and important historical figures are buried here.

The church was revolutionized by Abbot Suger, who rebuilt several parts of it using new technology to make the church larger. Suger really was the individual who turned the Basilica into a “Gothic” structure, and people from all over Europe would make pilgrimages to come and experience worship at the Basilica Cathedral of St. Denis.

St. Denis, a patron Saint of France, served as a martyr for his country and his religion. The story is that he was decapitated, and carried his head for a few kilometers while preaching a sermon along his walk about the final judgement. The final judgement was a common theme in the 12th century: many people feared God and were driven to church to worship out of fear of not making it to heaven. St. Denis was honored by having this beautiful Basilica named after him. When architecture transcended into the Gothic style, god was viewed as less vengeful and more people sought out worship for comfort. More emphasis was placed on philosophy, equality for women, and Catholicism.

Here are some pictures of the architecture of the church!

St. Denis 1

Here is the facade of the cathedral. Sadly, some renovations were taking place when we went so workers were blocking some of the front! Gothic architecture is known for its height and verticality: this was meant to make the visitors feel small, yet apart of the place. Here, you can see the sheer height of the main tower, as well as the spire located in the center of the minor tower. I certainly felt small next to the entrance!

Here is an element that is very typical of Gothic architecture: A groin vault. This structure was meant to provide extra support for the weight of the bricks in the two crossed barrel vaults. A Groin Vault provided more room for extra hallways! This also added height to the ceiling, again emphasizing the

Here is an element that is very typical of Gothic architecture: A groin vault. This structure was meant to provide extra support for the weight of the bricks in the two crossed barrel vaults. A Groin Vault provided more room for extra hallways! This also added height to the ceiling, again emphasizing the “height” to make the church closer to God.

Here, you can see some compound piers with responds along the main hallway in the cathedral, or nave. These provided support for the weight of the church and allowed for a longer center area of the church. In the top of the picture, you can see the pointed arch and vault in the very top of the ceiling. This aspect of Gothic architecture allowed for weight to be channeled down.

Here, you can see some compound piers with responds along the main hallway in the cathedral, or nave. These provided support for the weight of the church and allowed for a longer center area of the church. In the top of the picture, you can see the pointed arch and vault in the very top of the ceiling. This aspect of Gothic architecture allowed for weight to be channeled down.

This photo captures my favorite element of Gothic architecture: Stained glass. A very important emphasis for the Gothic style was on light: Light represented the presence of God and stained glass allowed for light to pour in through beautiful pictures and colors.

This photo captures my favorite element of Gothic architecture: Stained glass. A very important emphasis for the Gothic style was on light: Light represented the presence of God and stained glass allowed for light to pour in through beautiful pictures and colors.

I thought that this structure inside the main hall of St. Denis: It was a long combination of a series of barrel vaults with subsequent arched stained glass windows at the top of each vault. This photo most accurately represents the most well known aspects of Gothic architecture: height and light. The light from the beautiful day outside pouring in through the windows was incredible!

I thought that this structure inside the main hall of St. Denis: It was a long combination of a series of barrel vaults with subsequent arched stained glass windows at the top of each vault. This photo most accurately represents the most well known aspects of Gothic architecture: height and light. The light from the beautiful day outside pouring in through the windows was incredible!

Here is another picture of one of the many groin vaults inside of the Basilica.

Here is another picture of one of the many groin vaults inside of the Basilica.

In the underground portion of the Basilica, there were many tombs and areas dedicated to the memory of French kings and queens, as well as their children. In this picture, you can see a very peculiar relic of royalty: The heart of "The Boy who Would be King", Louis XVII. He died at the age of 10 and was next in line for the throne after his father, Louis XVI. His mother was Marie Antoinette, who is also buried here.

In the underground portion of the Basilica, there were many tombs and areas dedicated to the memory of French kings and queens, as well as their children. In this picture, you can see a very peculiar relic of royalty: The heart of “The Boy who Would be King”, Louis XVII. He died at the age of 10 and was next in line for the throne after his father, Louis XVI. His mother was Marie Antoinette, who is also buried here.

And here she is: Marie Antoinette! (Her body was actually underground with the rest of the tombs) This statue is dedicated to her memory in the first floor of the Basilica Cathedral of St.Denis. Although she may have received a bad rap for her mistakes while she was queen, I think she was a total bad ass. She was so young when she was placed on the throne, and she is one of my favorite people from history.

And here she is: Marie Antoinette! (Her body was actually underground with the rest of the tombs) This statue is dedicated to her memory in the first floor of the Basilica Cathedral of St.Denis. Although she may have received a bad rap for her mistakes while she was queen, I think she was a total bad ass. She was so young when she was placed on the throne, and she is one of my favorite people from history.

Food in Paris

Escargot: Surprisingly yummy!

Escargot: Surprisingly yummy!

I stumbled upon a Bulgarian festival right outside of the Louvre, and smelled this HUGE pot of stew from feet away. It looked strange, but smelled wonderful!

I stumbled upon a Bulgarian festival right outside of the Louvre, and smelled this HUGE pot of stew from feet away. It looked strange, but smelled wonderful!

Creme Brulee, to die for.

Creme Brulee, to die for.

This beer may look ordinary, but I am here to tell you that I've never had anything like it! It was infused with "pamplemousse" (grape fruit) and grenadine, and was much pinker than this picture shows. It tasted like flowers and was so lovely.

This beer may look ordinary, but I am here to tell you that I’ve never had anything like it! It was infused with “pamplemousse” (grape fruit) and grenadine, and was much pinker than this picture shows. It tasted like flowers and was so lovely.

In my hand, you can see the ultimate gem of Parisian cuisine: The classic croissant. I think I will miss these things the most when I leave.

In my hand, you can see the ultimate gem of Parisian cuisine: The classic croissant. I think I will miss these things the most when I leave.

Louvre Photos

Philopoemen: 19th Century French Scultpure

Philopoemen: 19th Century French Scultpure. Philopoemen was a war strategist in Ancient Greece, and I found it very interesting that a French sculptor was so taken by the story of Philopoemen’s bravery that he created this statue centuries later. I loved this sculpture because Philopoemen’s facial expression is a mix of pain and determination to finish his battle, despite the javelin that is piercing his thigh. The effect of contradicting images ( gruesome pain and brave determination) made this piece hard to ignore. The realism of his skin and contours of his muscles are classic of the Greek admiration of the human form. You can see the area of his thigh that is being pierced and how it gives way, just as a real thigh would do.  He was SO big. It blows my mind that an artist who was probably no more than 5’6 or so could have made this heavy, 9 ft tall statue all alone.

Poor Philopoemen!

Poor Philopoemen!

“Battle of David and Goliath” by Daniele da Volterra. I found this painting to be particularly interesting because it is two sided, which gives it a 3 dimensional depth so you can almost feel the action. Most of the paintings that I encountered were stunning, but 2 dimensional. Being able to see this image from both sides was very unique, I found myself walking from either side to examine details that seemed to jump out of no where! This piece is also a classic Christian story of bravery, and a Christian theme was very evident among this particular hall. Portraits of Jesus is differing situations were EVERYWHERE, and it was nice to see such a well known battle on display.

The other side of

The other side of “Battle of David and Goliath”

A crowd pleaser:

A crowd pleaser: “Mona Lisa” ( or La Joconde as she is known in France) is a world renowned realistic portrait by Leonardo di Vinci in 16th century Italy. The hype leading up to this painting was understandable: I am not an art buff by any sense of the word, but I know what this piece is. I’ve known what she looks like, who painted her, and where to find her since I was a child. I’ve seen her in movies, heard about her being stolen, and seen so many pop art adaptations of Mona Lisa. To actually be in the presence of this realistic piece was so insane! Although I wish I could’ve gotten closer (Damn those ropes), my time with Mona was well spent.

I had to elbow some tourists out of my way for this picture, but it was such a memorable experience. To be THAT close to a work of art that is so famous was amazing.

I had to elbow some tourists out of my way for this picture, but it was such a memorable experience. To be THAT close to a work of art that is so famous was amazing.