This was by the grand arch. Le Pouce (thumb). Huge and thumby, and made of Bronze. That could have been a lot of instruments for underprivaleged children...but look at that thumb!!! Just kidding. I think it was a gift given in memory of France's extraordinary victory in the thumb wars of 1795. Margot Clinet, France's leading "Pouceur" (thumber) beat Germany in a crushing defeat. The king at the time however, Louis XIII, had bet against France and was humilated by the victory. He had Clinet sentenced to death by Guillatine. But shortly before the execution Louis XIII had one of Clinet's thumbs removed and given to the German King Shrelorgre IV as a sign of no hard feelings. 100 years later in the spring of 1895 Germany had this giant thumb sculpted of bronze and given to the French. Having nowhere to put it at the time it was stored in a shipyard on the Atlantic see until 1937 when Francois Renault deciced to have it transported to Paris and put on display for all the city goers to see and remember the history of the Thumbwars and the misustice that had been done to Margot Clinet.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Some more pics and the history of the thumb statue
The Grand Arch Went to the top of this. It is enormous. there was fog so we didnt' see very far, but it was really cool to go up on top. No wind and it was completely silent up there. That was kinda wierd.
The Louvre!
The winged victory of Samothrace, everyone has seen this piece of art, and I got to see it up close. It was cool, but well I would say there are a lot cooler and more interesting statues...
Yeah, we know this one...Venus De Milo. Very famous, but again, the statues like the one that follows were awe inspiring. The expressions that the artists managed with their work is incredible!!!
Some Pics of Paris...I am going back, who's going with me?
Welcome to the Seine as seen from the first level of the Eiffel tower (Tour Eiffel). My last day in Paris I sat on a bridge over the river and smoked a pipe that I bought in a little shop under Le Musée de Louvre.
This is me sitting in front of the Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart church). Very serious. This was the morning of my first day.
This again is Sacre Coeur. The sun peaked out of the clouds and I snapped this pic. I loved it there. Great view, but you couldn't quite see the Eiffel tower from the hill.
L'arc de Triomphe! I payed to climb to the top of the tower and take pictures. That is where I snapped the following pic from of the Tour Eiffel.
Created in 1889 for the internation exposition in Paris with the intent of being torn down after twenty years, the Tour Eiffel transformed from an ugly iron eye sore to a symbol of Paris and the French people. When the time came to tear it down, radio and meteorology stations requested it be left standing because of the potential it had as a broadcasting antenna. Without radio and meteorology stations, it is almost certain there would be no Eiffel tour today. Pretty cool huh?
Friday, December 5, 2008
IN PARIS
Hey all, I am writing to you from my hostel in northern Paris. I just ate breakfast and I am about to embark on my first day in Paris. I will soon take some pictures and take a tour. It is a little rainy, kinda like Ireland was, but it is not as cold as Minnesota right now!!! HAHA!
Well, talk to you soon!
Well, talk to you soon!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Leaving for Paris today
Hey, I leave for Paris in 6 hours and 13 minutes!!!! 4 days, it will be amazing!!!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Some more Barcelona pics
Check out this expression!!!! I think he was waiting for his wife to buy some clothes, he was pacing back and fourth smoking and looking really irritated .
Oh Yeah...I went to Barcelona a while back...
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Birthday pics part III
Tine and Xavi smiling and having fun with the game.
This was a game we played called "Bonjour Robert!" We had four cards with actions associated with them. We had Robert- who had a baguette under his arm and when we saw him we had to all say "bonjour Robert". When we got the american in blue jeans and a white t-shirt we said "Hello" and had to raise our hand like we were waving. When we got an African guy we had to put our hand over our heart. The last card was an "asian" (here is where this game might not really float in the U.S.) and we had to bow when we got him. It was a game of speed and reflexes. The first one to lose all their cards wins, and they do that by never messing up on the actions. My neck hurt the next day from getting the
Birthday pics part II
Birthday pics part I
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Almost to the top...and the TOP!
This is a furry friend that was having an easier time at climbing this mountain. He looked really thirsty, so when I found this old water bottle filled with water too dirty for the people, he was more than happy to drink it all up.
This is Yang and another little friend. He, his mom and the dog were climbing up and Yang was helping out.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Part II of the Pic St. Loup Collection
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