Monday, two days after arriving in Europe, we
took our first road trip and headed to Paris.
Unfortunately Jim did not join us but we met
up with him later in the week.
As we drove into Paris
Kent was thrilled to see a
European Football Stadium.
This picture, from the car, does not do the
stadium justice, it was quite impressive.
Okay, driving in Paris is definitely intimidating!
While stopped at an intersection and waiting
for the light our van was quickly, and
surprisingly, surrounded by 5-8 motorcyles!
The motorcylce's easily maneuver up to
get the edge on traffic. Being first might
be a good idea. Moving into an intersection
can be hazardous. Cars come from every
direction with no lines defining where to drive.
I was glad once parked that we
stayed parked until leaving two days later.
After checking into our hotel we went
to see the sights.
Kent and Cody with a great backdrop!
There were great photos to take
every where we looked.
Kent-Bryce-Cody-Chandra-Tyler
Chandra and I are excited to tour the Louvre!
Well, seeing the Mona Lisa with my kids was
a bit different than when I went with Jim...
Do you see Bryce and Kent... they are waving...
They had to work their way up front through
all the other foreigners with their cameras
to see the Mona Lisa Painting.
Oh there they are, they made it!
Kent is trying to contribute to the
"Nike of Samothrace" statue in the Louvre.
She was discovered in 1863 and thought
to have have been sculpted around 190 BC.
Nike was possibly sculpted to celebrate a
naval victory. She is one of the most celebrated
sculptures in the world. Her head and arms have
never been discovered but one of her hands was found.
A little more history for you.
This is the statue of the infamous
Aphrodite of Melos (Venus de Milo)
sculpted sometime between 130-100 BC.
She was discovered on one of the Cyclades Islands
in 1820 by a farmer. A french explorer informed
the French ambassador to Turkey about this statue.
The ambassador purchased it for 1000 francs to
take back and give as a gift to King Louis the XVIII.
The local Greeks were unhappy to lose it and tried
to prevent the statue from being taken to a ship.
Which is how her arms were lost!
Tip of the "Iceberg!"
Bryce, Cody and Kent are at the underside of the
Louvre Pyramid that covers the museums entrance.
The Pyramid was built in the 1980's with much
controvery since it does not fit in with
the classical look of the Louvre Museum.
It is now one of Paris's main icons.
Pretty cool looking at night!
Dinner at a Paris Pizzeria!
Mmmmm...
A beautiful view of Paris at night!
