Pit Stop

I will be taking a short break from blogging this week.

I have a major promo launch this Friday. All the preparation, production, rehearsals etc... are taking my time (and my sleep).

With puffed eyebags and caffeinetted mind, I deem not fit to drive you around.

Sorry friends... Don't worry will be back next week...

Of Course I Took My Step!

i will be back
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

I did! I did! I took my step.

Here's wishing that it is true. Pardon my funny face.

Anyway, as you see I already have a bag of souveniers with me. Nearby the cathedral are cheap souvenir shops. In all the places I went in Paris - the shops here are cheaper. Of course the shops right next to the cathedral are expensive. But the cheapest are those located in the inner-streets nearby the vicinity.

Hopefully, I shall go back in Paris - someday, somehow... =)

Notre Dame Circle

notre dame circle
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

This is the circular base I was referring about in my previous entry.

Tradition has it that first-time visitors should take a step on this circular base - so that he/she can visit Paris again in the future.

I do not know what story led to this belief - but this is it!

Angels in Notre Dame

angels in notre dam
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

One of the striking furnishings in the Notre Dame Cathedral are the gargoyles.
These are the half-man, half-beast stone figures that adorn the gutters of the cathedral.

To the supersitious, it was believed that these grotesque creatures frighten evil spirits, thus serving its purpose. But actually they are drainpipes. Each figure has a passage way inside that carries rainwater from the roof and out through the gargoyle's mouth.

Sorry if I got no photo of the gargoyles. We were not able to go on top anymore.

But here's a more beautiful picture of Myra and me (compared to the gargoyles). Yes, we're the ANGELS (not gargoyles).

Stained Glass

Stained Glass
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Aside from its historical background, the Notre Dame cathedral is also known for its artistic appeal. Truly, it is one of the masterpieces of Gothic art in Europe.

In the glory of a bright day, its three-rose stained glass windows shines with majestic beauty. It is such a dissappointment that my picture has deeply failed to captivate its radiant glow. Must be of the poor lighting condition.

This is only the picture I have from the inside of the cathedral since a mass was ongoing at that time, and it would deem me rude to take some pics at this hour.

Quoting Victor Hugo

notre dam solo
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

"Each face, each stone of this venerable monument is not only a page of
the history of the country, but also of the history of knowledge and art....
Time is the architect, the people are the builder."

— Victor Hugo, Notre-Dame de Paris.

The Story on The Hunch Back of Notre Dame

notre damme
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

No, that's not Esmeralda. And it's definitely NOT Quasimodo. That's me!

The story about the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" is just a fiction.

The story revolves around a beauty-and-the-beast theme, in which the selfless love of the misshapen bell ringer Quasimodo is contrasted with the corrupt lust of the cathedral's archdeacon, Claude Frollo, for the beautiful gypsy dancer Esmeralda.

Although the style is realistic, especially in the descriptions of medieval Paris and its underworld, the plot is melodramatic, with many ironic twists. Anticlerical and anti-aristocratic, the novel shows the romanticist's love for medieval grotesquerie.

Victor Hugo wrote this story to create awareness for the cathedral. Because the cathedral at that time, was in a dangerous state of disrepair. The popularity brought about by his writing led to its restorations... up to what it now today.

In so doing, Victor Hugo succeeded in saving one of Paris's great monuments.

Notre-Dame de Paris

notre dame facade
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

From The Louvre, we went to one of the world's famous catholic churches, Notre Dame Cathedral.

It is said that Notre-Dame is literally the center of France. It is believed that all distances in France would be measured from here.

Amongst the significant events here in Notre Dame is Napoleon's coronation.

The Pyramid

Mari and Myra
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

According to my friend, this pyramid is THE pyramid mentioned in Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" where the holy grail is buried. But I cannot further expound on that anymore.

Ooops! Pardon me for not reading that book. Promise to read it, one of these days...

Dan Brown aside, here's Mari and Myra. Aaaaaw! Such a sweet loving couple!!!

Inverted Pyramid

louvre (49)
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Just below the glass pyramid outside the Louvre is an inverted pyramid - inside the buidling.

For sure there must be some story or meaning behind this pyramid - but it was not explained to us anymore.

Anyway, it is a good venue for more photo ops.

Louvre Pyramid

louvre pyramid
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Here's a more detailed picture of the pyramid.

Yeah, it's Rhea, Mari and me - trying to paint a picture of the pyramid with our gestures.

The Mona Lisa Smile

louvre mona lisa smile
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Here's the infamous Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

The lady in the picture is believed to be the wife of the prominent Italian, Francesco del Gioconde. Leonardo was an Italian painter from Vinci (This explains why he's called Leonardo da Vinci, meaning Leonardo of Vinci. I thought it was his family name). and he brought this painting to France when King Francis I commissioned him to embelish the Louvre.

The painting measures by around 30 by 20 inches. Smaller than I expected. And is concealed in a clear-glass cascket. Yeah, it is small and the back ground kinda gloomy. It looks like those replications and reproductions sold in art stores.

My opinion, it is not as grand as I expected it to be - given from the raves I heard. (No offense to Mona Lisa fans). I think all the talks and the amplifications heightened my expections to a very high level, when in fact I have seen other more colorful and larger paintings. Then again, I'm no professional art critic. I may have not seen what others have seen. Just to set things straight, I do not not like her. I like the painting. Just that, it did not level up to my expectation. But more or less, still great!

But here are several reasons that may have caused the fuss and the upheaval of The Mona Lisa. First, is the technology that Leonardo used. This took four years to make. And one amazing thing about this painting is the visual illusion that it gives. Look into her eyes and move around the room - it looks as if her eyes are moving, following after you. Plus the smile. That mysterious smile that seem to hide a secret.

Secondly, this painting has been stolen - twice. Thus magnifying its eminence, catapult to all the commotions it has brought.

Third, known to French as the American's "ketchup theory", the lady in the picture may not actually be La Joconde, but Leonardo himself - his self portrait as a female. That explains that smile. This school of theory suggests that Leonardo may be gay or at least bi-sexual.

These are all theories, as Catherine suggests. Which of these would you choose - it's up to you. As for me, I think I'd like to go for the first hypothesis.

So here's me and Myra again. Guess what we're doing (again) - trying hard to imitate the Mona Lisa Smile to no avail. I guess, I should stick to my Rhyanne smile instead.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace

louvre winged victory
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Meet one of Louvre's greatest artifacts. No, not me. The one I am pointing at. The Louvre is so big and we only have an hour and a half to spend here. Our route was very selective. This is the nearest I can get. Despite the distance and the low light, I hope you can see her.

The Winged sculpture shows a headless and armless body of a lady thrusting forward with wings spread apart. Details of the sculpture gives an airy impression as her clothes, blown by the winds, cling to her body.

This is one of the greatest surviving masterpiece of Greek sculpture from Hellenistic period. Its remnants, counting to more or less 100 pieces, were found in the island of Samothrace and assembled here in The Louvre.

This relic personifies the goddess of victory, NIKE. (as Nike the shoes. The swoosh of the brand is believed to be a wing .... Hmmmm, Nike should pay me for plugging them here) It was erected in celebration for the victory - somewhere or against some group (the Rhodes? Memory gap again!).

Here in The Louvre, it is now displayed dramatically on the stairecase landing of Escalier Daru.

Statue

louvre statue
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

It is rather unfortunate that I forgot to take a picture of Venus de Milo.

But here's another Greek sculpture, one of Venus de Milo's contemporaries during their time. This (or he) is estimated to be about 2100 years old.

Oh how those Greek artists give a vivid description of body forms!

Intense Listening

louvre listen to CAtherine
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

We'll here's me, intensely listening to Catherine, our guide. Look at the expression of my face. Wonder what story she was narrating - that accounted for my sympathetic (?) or sorrowful (?) eyes?

Napoleon

louvre painting - napoleon
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Here's a larger-than-life painting of Napoleon.

Yes, paintings of these sizes do exist. In fact, there are plenty of these towering-high paintings in this gallery.

A Painting Replication

louvre sis painting
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Here's one of the paintings found inside. Don't ask me the name of the painting I forgot, nor the painter. But since it is housed in the Louvre - the painter must be famous. And in fairness, the paintings are nice.

Well, here's Myra and me - doing a simulation of the painting. Uhmmm, who's more beautiful? The painting or us? I think art lovers would go for the painting. But I believe Mari (Myra's husband) and my mother would say we're far more beautiful! =)

Evolution of The Louvre

louvre entrance
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Standing for more than 800 years, The Louvre, has become an inherent part of French history. It has burgeoned together with the different stages and changes of French life through the centuries.

As it was passed from one king to the other, The Louvre, has undergone several rennovations, re-buildings and re-constructions, wing additions, etc. depending upon the kings'(from 1300's to 1700's) fancies. The palace has several sections. An emblem of the ruling king is placed at the beams and painted in the walls, for each respective section built by a given king.

The Louvre originally was a fortress to protect Paris. Eventually it became an arsenal for political prisoners. In the 16th century, it became a residence for the French Kings, until King Luis XIV moved to Versaille.

After the French revolution, the Louvre became a public museum. Napoleon initialized the renovations, coming from the ruins left by the revolution. From then on, improvements have been made.

Since then and until now, The Louvre, is one of the famous (and I think the biggest museums?) in the world.

The glass pyramids, given its modern look, was built in late 1980's to early 1990's by a Chinese (not sure, but I think he's Asian ... oh, poor memory) modern artist. This is one of the many entrances to the museum.

Ready to get inside?

The Louvre

louvre facade
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

This is THE Louvre. Paris's biggest and richest musuem. It houses an array of paintings, sculptures, treasures and other art collections by world-reknowned artists. Like the Mona Lisa of Leonardi da Vinci, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, the Great Sphinx, just to name a few. And yes, all these masterpieces (which I used to see only in the books) came to life right before my eyes.

Thousands of tourists all over the world come visit this place everyday. And the lines are extremely long.

The picture shows the facade of the building. As you can see it's structure, made of limestone, is an emblematic resonance of the French Rennaisance architecture.

My First Day in Paris

Charles de Gaulle Airport
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

May 13 – I took my first step on the Parisian ground. The seemingly cold afternoon breeze did not bother my fresh-from-the-tropics body. I was busy with my amazement over this new foreign site. No time for jet lag. We will be staying in Paris only for three days – better make the most out of it.

We were greeted by our designated tour guide, Catherine. She first took us for lunch in “Romain Bistro”. After which, we headed to the famous medieval-fortress-turned-museum, the Louvre. I think this is the biggest museum in the world. I was told that if one would visit every nook and cranny of this museum, one has to spend two weeks to finish the whole display. Thus, we only visited some selected parts, as recommended by Catherine. All those famous artworks and artifacts, The Mona Lisa, for example – came to life… real and tangible right before my eyes.

We also visited Victor Hugo’s popularized Notre Dame Church. Although the story of the hunchback and Esmeralda was just fictitious – the magnificence of the cathedral is real. The architecture is great. The light portals around the buildings, the sprawling columns, the impressing gargoyles, and the colorful stained glass windows create a parade of details for my eyes to feast on. Fronting the church was a circular base in which they say, Parisian first-timers must take a step, in order to someday return to Paris. Of course I took my step!

Will be posting some pics of these mentioned places in the succeeding blog entries…

Euro Conversion

airport
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

We accompanied Myra to have her dollars exchanged. Rhea and I already had our monies exchanged in the Philippines, through Rhea's contact.

One Euro is equivelent to P71.00 - P69.00. It may be better to have Euros exchanged in the Philippines first before going to Europe, but sometimes they can be a hard find as well.

But if none can be found in the Philippines, it is better to buy Euros in the banks of Europe (France, Vienna, etc.) than in money changers (specially if from the airport). This is based on my personal experience from this trip.

Nevertheless, if left with no choice - then the airport money changer it is. Make this your last resort.

Introduction with My Travel Buddies

Eiffel with travel buddies
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

These smiles will be seen in the succeeding photo blogs and articles. So better get familiarized with them.

From left to right:

1) That's me. Yep, yours truly - need I say more?

2) Myra. An ex-officemate, now a full-time housewife to Mari.

3) Rhea. My officemate/batchmate.

4) Mari. Another officemate, husband of Myra.

Together, we journeyed across a great Euro-adventure. People have commented on how we lost our weight coming from the trip. I don't know. Must be all the walking and the carrying of our luggage. Anyway, why don't you observe it for yourself and see if it is true. Try observing us from here up to our succeeding pictures - to see if it really is true?

For Starters

Eifell Tower
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

A week has passed since I arrived from Europe. I have been raring to blog all my escapades. Unfortunately the demands of my work and time does not permit me to.

For starters, here is Paris's famous landmark - the Eiffel Tower. The picture might be a bit blurr, as it was just taken from my camera phone.

And yeah, 'tis me. Someday, somehow, I wish to pose again in this spot but this time with someone in my arms. Hey, dreams do come true - sometimes. Here's wishing that someday that dream will come to a reality.

Really need to rush. Have a presentation to prepare. Till then!

What's This All About?

Welcome to Pink Cadillac!

This is an offshoot of my main blog, Pink Patio. This blog records the exploits of my travels.

But a warning though… Given my workload, and hectic time, and other toxic factors, entries of my trips will be accounted on an installment basis. But never mind the lag. Sometimes in our trips, we do encounter them as well. So please be patient. Will try to make it as entertaining and lively as I could!

First stop – EUROPE.

Just a week ago, I came back from a great Euro-adventure. I went to Paris, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Brussels, Rome and Vienna. Succeeding stories will be all about them.

So friends, fasten your seatbelts as we tour around with my Pink Cadillac.