I was walking to the Orsay Museum and passed St. Suplice—I think it was a church in the Da Vinci code? The church construction started in 1646 and finished in 1745—whew 99 years—Victor Hugo was married here—it is quite lovely with the white façade--
The last pic is of St. Germain—it was built in 1163, but sits on a much older foundation. I was going in the church, however I was swarmed by a bunch of French boy scouts –needless to say I walked away with a 5 euro French calendar—I am such a sucker even in foreign lands!!!!
I had a girls weekend in Paris last week—it was wonderful. A couple of friends and me headed for Paris on Saturday evening until Tuesday. We had a great time and the weather was beautiful. Croissants everyday!!
The picture below is Jessica and I drinking champagne on top of the Eiffel tower—this is officially off my list of things to do—time to add more to my list!! I have to say Paris is my favorite city of all time—the lights, monuments, macaroons, cheese, croissants, people—I LOVE PARIS!!
Our art history class had a field trip—which was about a 10 minute walk around the corner to the Duomo’s museum—nothing like a quick visit to see a Michelangelo or two—kinda surreal at times.
The photo below is Michelangelo’s second pieta—the first is in St. Peter’s Cathedral at the Vatican. He worked on the pieta shown below for 8 years. Seeing this in person is very impressive—hits you in the gut-- however seeing the pieta in St. Peter’s will make you stop and weep—it is so beautiful—and so polished that you think it is wet--
The other day I had time between classes so I popped into the Uffizi and stared at a few Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli’s – I just wanted grab someone and yell “CAN YOU JUST BELIEVE THIS”—someone just pinch me—no wait a minute—not just someone—let me find that guy who looked like he just walked out of an Armani ad! 
How awful!!!! My last post, I talked about the beautiful Cinque Terre—little did I know the area had been hit by flash floods and mudslides the day before. My sister and I had lunch in this piazza---see the before and after pictures below. Nine people lost their lives and they still have missing--
When my sister visited about a month ago, we had a chance to visit Venice, Burano, and Murano. Murano is famous for hand-blown glass---which is incredible, but expensive. However, my favorite island was Burano, famous for lacemaking. The town is small and beautiful. Pastel houses of pink, blue, and yellow. The first three photos are of Burano. The last photos are of an island we passed on our way back to Venice. This is the cemetery island where Venice buries the dead.
If you ever get a chance to visit Venice---make sure you take a day and visit the outer islands—but please skip the cemetery island! Ciao
Yesterday I spent the day doing homework with a classmate. We decided to go for dinner around 8 pm, but could not get a table at the restaurant until 9—so we wandered over to the Piazza della Signoiria. What a wonderful surprise--an event taking place with dancers and lights. There were gargoyles climbing up the walls of the Palazzo Vecchio—just incredible!! After the show, we made our reservation at Trattoria Anita’s and had a big plate of pasta!!!
