Viewing Michelangelo's sculpture was breathtaking experience. It is hard to imagine how he was able to visualize let alone execute these works. They are so fine, so soft in appearance that one wants to touch them to make certain they are actually stone. Sadly the Pietà is behind glass since the vandalism some year ago, and Moses, like David in Florence, is behind a barrier.
While viewing Moses, which is in a small church away from the larger cathedrals and art galleries, the guard approached us and in very loud and forceful Italian, told Elliott to stop taking pictures because no professional photography is allowed! His new camera is really, really nice and he takes a good shot. A nice fellow to whom E had previously spoken and lent his tripod approached and explained that "in Italia,
no does not mean
no. In France and Switzerland and Germany, it means no, but here, just take off your jacket, put on your cap and you are a different person! Take all the photos you want!" It was worth the unpleasantness just for the story!
Elliott took me to Paris for my birthday! Upon arrival, we found spring had decided to come too!
We headed straight for the Eiffel tower, below, across from the Ecole Militaire, above, founded with the support of Madame de Pompadour to create an academic college for cadet officers from poor families. Can you spot E and Sterling?
Above is the classic Eiffel tower photo. Below is the one I have always wanted, unbeknownst even to me. I took it after a picnic on the lawn, lying on my back, looking up at the Tower. It was a moment I enjoyed very much!
On the top
After our descent, we took a little cruise on the Seine.
Notre Dame below and in the background above.
The Tower from the Seine
Back on land, a few artsy photos with E's terrific new camera.
A little spring garden at the base of the Tower.
The next day we enjoyed the Louvre.
And the Musée d'Orsay 
That night, we had my birthday dinner in an old Parisian restaurant near the Bastille Column of July, with Leoni and Françoise, friends we met near us in Divonne last summer. They had arranged everything, even the cake with flares and Joyeux Anniversaire a Vous! It was fantastic.
Very happy, we headed out for our last night in Paris.
In the morning, before heading home, we stopped by my favorite store to get my present, another copper pot. I love this place!
Au revoir, Paris! And thank you, Elliott and Sterling, for a fantastic weeked.
The ceiling is painted using the fresco technique of applying paint to wet plaster which can only be done in small segments to assure that the plaster is fresh. There are nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, surrounded by prophets and sibyls. Adorned with architectural features that are painted on so expertly, it is hard to tell where the illusion begins and ends. We are now intimately aquainted with all of it as we bought and complete a 1000 piece puzzle!
Elliott has historical links to King Tut and was very happy to reconnect with them!
The forum is right across the way.
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