Ready for Christmas?

The creche next to Babst library on the BC campus is now installed. A sure sign of the end of the Fall semester and final exams coming up.   Because of the mild weather no snow is covering the green grass yet and it seems out of season.  This evening we listened to the Christmas concert of the University Chorale and Boston College Symphony Orchestra and were given the chance of singing with them several Christmas songs.  

Hark! the herald angels sing: Glory to the newborn King! 

http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/music/calendar.html

Lit up Avenue

The traditional lightening up of the Champs Elysees happened last week end and will last until the beginning of next year.  It was proudly announced that because of LED bulbs the electric energy was now only 38 000 kWh instead of the 480 000 kWh with the old fashion bulbs they had used until 2006. One million euros were invested to install all the lights along the trees of the avenue and at the Rond Point area.  The festive mood will be enjoyed by more then a million revelers!

French visitors will make a point to visit and from all over the world tourists will arrive to walk up and down 'la plus belle avenue du monde'.

And many more will not walk but drive slowly up and down and add to the illumination.

http://int.rendezvousenfrance.com/en/events/christmas-lights-champs-elysees-0 

The Water Lilies

Monday 9 am we were at the Orangerie Museum to go straight to the two rooms where the famous water lilies paintings are installed. For a few minutes we could enjoy the pictures full impact without other visitors.  Monet painted these large canvases in the last 12 years of his life, starting when he was 74 years old. Alas, he did not live to see the installation in 1927.

These paintings invite to meditate and demonstrate at the same time a certain development from impressionistic to abstract art. Visitors are asked to keep quiet and not to take any photos.  To give an idea of the art installation I took a photo of a photo in the museum's entrance:

http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/homes/home_id24799_u1l2.htm

If you click on this link, you can visit virtually the water lilies art installation!

Not Just An Oyster Bar

Look - is this an installation of a Dutch still life?  We stopped our walk on the Boulevard de Montparnasse to admire this 'presentation' -  in English 'presentation' ......
 Even their web site is worth to be admired:  http://www.lebarahuitres.com/uk/index.php

The reality is somewhat different.  The staff is not the friendliest and one is lucky to get a table without reservation.  That in a way is a good sign. Perhaps next time we decide for a take out order because the seafood is very fresh, the most important quality.

Metro Station Abbesses

A walk on Montmartre is always popular when visitors are in Paris.  Best then to take the Metro line 12 to 'Abbesses' and start from there. As it is the deepest station of Paris there are many - ca 120 - steps up to the street level. Two large elevators are provided to make it easier for everyone. 

While you wait for your friends who took the steps, you can admire the art nouveau iron decoration by Hector Guimard (1867-1942).  There are only two complete Guimard stations.  Abbesses and Port Dauphine.

Then follow rue Lepic to the right and house number 54 is the one where Vincent van Gogh lived with his brother from 1886 to 1888. At that time there was no Metro and Montmartre was still a village outside of Paris.  http://www.aparisguide.com/montmartre/

Brunkebergs tunnel

This tunnel gives a clever shortcut under a hill in the middle of the city.  Over hundret years old, it was renovated not too long ago.  Swedish design at its best: visual pleasing and functional with the inward curve to the gutter...... a non smelling tunnel was created.

Vikings

Those strong vikings are still living in Sweden and they keep fit for fight in Fredhälls parken.

 When you dare to come close you realize these Vikings are beautiful Swedish women!