Greetings from Paris!

When I made plans for Paris, there were few things on my "Must See" list (and lots on my "Would Like To See Or Do" list!)

Visiting Notre Dame was on the "Must" list.

Its high vaulted ceiling, it's enormous rose windows (45 feet in diameter) and beautiful carvings are legendary. Historically it was the setting in which kings and emperors were crowned and where knights were blessed before embarking on the crusades.

Well, it's all it's cracked up to be!

Notre Dame is located on the Ile de la Cite, and was started in 1163, thanks to Pope Alexander III. Gothic in style, it was completed around 1330. In addition to its rose windows, it is known for its gargoyles and flying buttresses.

Another little known fact is that it is about 2,000 steps from Jerry's apartment! And, since I've centered much of my sightseeing on this end of the city, I've been there several times! I've fed the birds in its courtyard, and we were even fortunate enough to hear an organ concert (or part of one -- it was a tad too avant garde for me and we left, but wonderful to hear that organ open up all the stops!)

I'm rather wild about churches and trying to get the best photographs possible with my wee camera. I didn't have time to get one with a better zoom before leaving, but I'm doing OK.

I really didn't think I'd ever arrive. After the flight delay, there were airport problems and I spent all the next day in line. When I got here, I was exhausted! A long missive will go to Air France documenting my travails. While I'm glad they found the malfunction on the plane before we departed rather than after, the hassles the next day were even worse! (If you read the comment Rick wrote the day after I left, a couple posts ago, that's just the tip of the iceberg!)

But I'm here, so, a quick recap with photos to come (from over 1500 to choose from!) -- My highlights include seeing the beautiful churches (last night a Vivaldi concert in Ste. Chappelle, which was simply to die for); marvelous side trips to Giverny and Monet's garden, picnic on the Seine, to Vaux de vie Comte (I have to check spelling on that -- a grand chateau about 90 minutes from Paris) and an absolutely stirring visit to Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery and museum.

In Paris, lots of walking (bless my nun shoes -- the feet are failing but they would have done so three days ago in my old shoes), an absolutely terrific time with Tara at a flea market and a lovely dinner at her apartment, the lovely Luxembourg Gardens, and more. Shopping. I don't want to think about lifting my luggage.

What I love most so far is simply being somewhere else, buying bread everyday and then walking it off (I hope), seeing dogs everywhere (restaurants, cafe's, the store), and the magnificent architecture. It's truly lovely.

Looking forward to getting back on regular blogging (visiting, writing) when I return, but was finally able to post and wanted to do so!

Au revoir for now!