Le Quartier Latin

 28 avril
We have class on Saturday to make up for weekdays that we don't have class because of field trips. I really like the graffiti in the neighborhood by the church building--it's a cool artsy area.

After class, Emily and I explored the Latin Quarter which is across the Seine river near Notre Dame.  This is the oldest neighborhood in Paris and is an intellectual center with universities and bookshops.  It is called the Latin Quarter because intellectuals spoke Latin there decades ago in an attempt to preserve the dying language.  We first went to the famous Shakespeare bookstore that sells books in English and has been there for decades.  It was such a unique store with books everywhere and little nooks and crannies all around.  I will definitely be going back here to browse some more and soak in the intellectual aura.    

It says feed the starving writers

Next stop was the St. Michel square with the St. Michel fountain.  The main figure of the fountain is St. Michel slaying a dragon.  

Next we found a neighborhood with lots of great restaurants which made our day because it feels like we have had sandwiches for every meal for the past 3 days! Seriously though, French people eat so much bread and sandwiches and we were dying for some other options.  We found a fale\afel place and enjoyed the variety in our diet.  

Next we went inside a gorgeous gothic church.  Something about this type of architecture just enriches my soul and makes me feel a part of an incredible human race.  Paris with all of its architectural and artistic beauty has helped me remember that there is beauty in the world.  So many incredible people have created beauty despite dark times.  Even though I may sometimes doubt the sanity of the human race as I read about the cruelty that some can exhibit, I am comforted that there are, and have been for centuries, people that aim to inspire others with hope and beauty through their talents.  Paris is such an old city with so much history that it makes me feel connected to others.  To all the people that have passed but the city of Paris speaks of.   

I love how this picture turned out!

An elementary school

Our next stop was the Seine river.  We went to the Pont (bridge) des Beaux Arts which is covered with locks.  Couples come here and put a lock on the bridge, lock it, then throw the key into the Seine as a symbol of their eternal love.  There is a bridge like this in Venice, but it was cool to find one in Paris.  

"ai ni"

Next was Pont Neuf, the next bridge over the Seine.  It was a great spot to sit right on the edge of the Seine.  Perfect lunching spot!

Then we went to Musée d'Orsay.  The museum building was previously a train station.  This museum is the home to many impressionistic works which are my favorite!

The picture above is Nicholas Sarkozy in the picture and it says "I feel the wave."  The presidential elections are this Sunday.  The top two people are Sarkozy, the incumbent and Hollande who is a socialist.  There is lots of talk about it as well as signs and magazines.  Should be interesting!