Here I sit in a city that millions of people want to visit and nobody speaks my language. Paris? No, I’m still in Miami, but before I depart I just wanted to discuss my expectations and define the purpose of my journey a little.
Right now I’m really conflicted about France. We’re supposed to hate them right? And I keep hearing the French are rude and hate Americans. That’s not really the setting for the ideal vacation. Well, the conflict lies in the fact that every American I’ve talked to who has actually been to Paris raved about it and said I’m going to love it. So Freedom Fries be damned I’m going to Paris - armed with curiousity and 8 hours of "Conversational French" - in search of some truth.
Everyday I hope to experience at least of few of the following:
1) Walk in the steps of History
2) See fantastic architecture
3) Have real interaction with Parisians
4) Taste genuine French Cuisine to see why the world’s chefs worship at the French Stove Top
5) Use my bad French and have someone understand it.
6) Meet Hot French Chicks, of course - I’m skeptical they exist (Bridgette Bardot notwithstanding) but I’m willing to explore in the name of research.
At the end of these 5 days, if I am able to check off 2 or 3 of these things per day, I feel my trip will have been a success. Then I’ll feel as though I know Paris as opposed to just having seen Paris and I can draw my own conclusions about France and the rude-ass French.
Puerto del Sol
The hub for the streets and pathways, but also a gathering place for all Madrilenos. If you watched the soccer tournament Euro 2008 this summer, they had numerous giant screen TVs here for the locals to watch the matches. When Spain won the whole thing there were numerous live shots from here with the people going nuts.
Medieval Architecture
This picture gives you some insight into Medieval Architecture. The building just in front of you with the black sign is straight up and down which means it's probably only a couple of hundred years old. Now look along the base of the buildings toward the pink and yellow ones. You can see how the buildings tilt back. This was done on purpose because in Medieval Times they didn't know if a building with 5 floors would topple over. Therefore, they built them leaning back so they were sure they would remain standing.
Plaza Mayor
Inside El Prado
One of the numerous impressive paintings inside The Prado Museum
Madrid at Christmas
Post Office
Believe it or not, this is a Post Office
Puerta de la Alcala
Arch outside of El Parque Buen Retiro
Metropolis
One of the most photographed buildings in Madrid. Add me to the rolls.
Jingle All The Way
Just outside the entrance to The Palacio Real, the guy on the accordion broke into "Jingle Bells" and all of these little school kids got happy and started dancing!
Royal Courtyard
From ground level looking across the expasive Royal Courtyard to the Cathedral across the way.
King and his Palace
This is in front of the palace he built
Colosseum & Arch of Constantine At Night
I took a bunch of pictures in this area, but I particulary like this one with the rays of light raining down.
Latin Shadows
I have no idea what this writing means, I just thought the shadows cast by the bars looked cool on the slab. This is inside The Colosseum in a doorway barred-off from the public.
View From The Colosseum
This Is the view from the upper level of The Colosseum looking out over Rome.
Colosseum & The Arch of Titus
The Arch of Titus is at the top of The Roman Forum. This is a view with the Arch serving as the frame for The Colosseum.
Above The Ruins of The Roman Forum
This is the view above The Roman Forum which was the heart of activity in Ancient Rome with shops, places and goverment buildings occupying this area. The Colosseum is in the distance.
The Ancient & The New
With the ruins of the Roman Forum before you and modern-day Rome in the background, you get a view of 2 worlds. The columns directly in front of you are the remains of the Palace of the infamous Emperor Caligula.
Remains of Building In Roman Forum
Ruins In The Forum
Door To One of The Ruins on the Floor of The Forum
The Pantheon - Rome
Don't let the rugged exterior fool you!
Interior of The Pantheon
The ragged exterior belies the beauty you find inside The Pantheon
Interior Dome of The Pantheon
This dome is made of concrete and modern engineers still can't figure out how the Romans built it
Trevi Fountain
The pictures can not capture the enormity of this place.
Main Figure of Trevi Fountain
This guy is at least 15 feet tall.
La Pieta - The Pity
Mary carrying Jesus After his death. Inside St. Peter's Basillica
Statue Outside of Wedding Cake Museum
Here is the kind of thing you happen upon when wondering Rome.
Fountain Outside The Pantheon
Ironically, I just saw this fountain on TV commercial
Everybody LOVES Gelatto
This little guy gets some gelatto from his mom - mostly on his nose and mouth!
Opera on A Sunday Morning in Piazza Nuovono
This guy had a boom box playing the music and he belted out the opera. He was very good and had a ridiculously powerful voice.
Another Day In Rome
This picture somes up a lot of what you experience in Rome: Crazy guys on Scooters, Tour Buses and Oh Yeah There Just Happens To Be The Colosseum
Clouds Over Rome
This is near "The Wedding Cake" Museum late on Saturday afternoon as the clouds rolled in.
The Seat of Power
What I love about this picture is it captures the dual eras of power concentrated in Rome. In the foreground are ruins, highlighted by Trajan's Column (the tallest with the statue on the top) representing the Ancient times when the Caesar's ruled the world, immediately adjacent to the beautiful basillica embodying the era when the Catholic Church was the most powerful organization in the world.
Roman Architecture
I think this picture shows some of the beautiful architecture and sculptures you will see in Rome...and some of the stairs you'll climb.
The Building Down The Street
This photo was taken from the corner next to our hotel.
Gem of the Night
This unidentified building in Paris is the scene of my favorite photo. I snapped it while walking from the Arc de Triomphe to the Latin Quarter on Saturday night.
Arc de Triomphe At Twilight
From the Champs Elysees as night falls on Paris
The Louvre
You go for the exhibits, but the architecture is worth the trip.
Main Courtyard of The Louvre
To get some perspective on the scale, use the 3 people walking on the left. Look at how the Louvre towers over them. The first floor arches behind them are probably 20 feet high and there are windows just inside that walkway that match the arches in size.
The Open End of The Louvre
This Gate stands at the open end of the main couryard of The Louvre. If you look closely through the center arch you can see straight up the Champs Elysees. First is the ferris wheel, then the obilisque and then the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.
Champs Elysees
A couple enjoys a stroll in the world's most romantic city
The Quintessential Paris Scene
An artist painting in a bastion on Pont Neuf. If you look closely at the painting it looks like it's just a white rectangle inside of a blue rectangle...well that's because that's all it was. I don't even think this guy was an artist, I think he just set this up to meet chicks. And the reason I think that is because after seeing it I said to myself "I bet that's a great way to meet chicks!"
Lights On The Seine
My attempt at abstract art.
Lights On The Seine Deux
My other attempt at abstract art.
The Eiffel Tower From A Distance
The Eiffel Tower is good from far, but far from good...
Notre Dame
This is a view from across the Seine and toward the rear of the Cathedral exhibiting it's most famous architectural detail - the Flying Butresses.
The Pyramid at The Louvre
I took this picture to show how the horrible Pyramid blocks the wonderful views of the main courtyard of the Louvre. In addition, the style is totally out of place. It's like having an 18th century antique dresser and then replacing the brass knobs with cubic zirconium.
Rey
Here's a picture of "Rey" which is the supermarket I went to on Friday morning. As you can see, it's not too apllealling from the outside, but much to this gringo's surprise, it was really nice inside.
Local Transportation
This is a bus the locals use to get around the city. I guess they don't like the mustard yellow, because they've tricked them all out with crazy murals. It's like the Partridge Family was kidnapped by a Grafitti Artist.
Via Espana
This is the main drag in Area Bancaria. I'm taking this picture from a pedestrian bridge that was built above the road since it's so dangerous to cross. Notice the Mickey D's Arches?
Hialeah or Panama?
Can you tell the difference? By the way the place with the brown awning was called Stylish Cookies. I don't know why, but I find that really funny.
Avenida Central
This was the main shopping district for the local Panamanians
View From My Hotel Room
A Photo That Could Be Straight From Miami
The White House of Panama
This is where the President of Panama lives and conducts business. It was ringed by guards on all sides, but surprisingly you could get very close.
The White House of Panama II
Here's a wider view of the President's place. It's in The Old Town with many narrow streets and the bay directly in front of it.
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