Life of Crepes: Paris Part 1

After dinner in Amsterdam, we were on our way to Paris via an overnight bus.  It felt as if I had been with these girls forever but in actuality, the amount of time I had been traveling with them was shorter than the time since my last shower.  It was a long and fun day but I was looking forward to sleeping in a bed, since my last two nights had been on a plane and bus.

Bus arrived at 6am in the middle of NOWHERE Paris, hence taxi needed.  First order of business, shower.  One of the best showers I had ever taken.  Then, a change of clothes.  Then, none other than Nutella crepes.  Great beginning to a great day.  Also, I was able to get some GORGEOUS pictures that morning since the sun doesn’t rise until around 8am. 

We trekked over to the Notre Dame, which was the church of all churches.  Time for some history***(please read footnote).  Hokay so, the parts of Notre dame I remember most is when Liz would dig out “Rick Steve’s Pocket Paris” and become the tour guide, telling us in detail about a particular entrance.  Outside of the Notre Dame there was a gate, ominously called, the Portal of the Last Judgment.  

 

Inside the Notre Dame was BEAUTIFUL as one would expect. 

Jesus visiting the Holy Mary

Pictures simply do not do the Notre Dame justice.  If I had to give one word to describe the Notre Dame, it would be elaborate.  There was thought put into every single inch of that building.  It’s reaching its 850 year anniversary and it’s still magnificent.

Alright, get ready for some National Treasure-esque history time. 

Portal of the Last Judgement

People located under the descending arches are of the
heavenly court. 

Close up.  As you can see there is a scale between the archangel, Michael, and the devil.
The direction the scale leans, depending on the good and bad deeds one has done
throughout life, determines the destiny of the individual.  The statues lining behind the
angel and devil have already met their fate.  Behind the angel, the chosen are looking up
and those behind the devil are condemned to hell therefore not in the happiest state.
There was also a story about the heads of a few statues getting lost during the French
Revolution, found by a school teacher, buried by said school teacher, found again,
and re-administered back to their original necks.  I could not find this story anywhere
on the internet but thought it was interesting so take it as you will.
Learn more: Last Judgment (after all these years of writing papers with citations, it seemed
necessary to put a few)

One last look.  I was expecting to see more gargoyles or at least the bigger/scary looking ones like you see in the Hunchback of Notre Dame but unfortunately I didn’t see any of those sorts.  This could be because of one of two reasons.  1. I wasn’t looking in the right place and 2. As much as I hate to say this, Disney movies do not always represent reality.

Meet the Disney Gargoyles from Hunchback of Notre Dame

Meet the actual gargoyles.  Seems those three
gargoyles have been on a diet since they
appeared in the movie.

Now, before we go any further, I’d like to mention some other important facts regarding the Notre Dame.  This past Christmas, a great film was released called, Les Miserables.  Listening to those songs as a child, I really had no idea what it was about.  However, after aging a few years and hearing the songs again via the movie, I understood the meaning and depth of the story.  If you saw Les Mis, imagine the revolutionaries pillaging this cathedral and destroying many statues within it.  Interestingly enough, Victor Hugo, the author of the novel in which Les Miserables was based, also wrote Hunchback of Notre Dame (maybe that is common knowledge but I just discovered this).  Victor Hugo was upset about the state of the church post French Revolution and wrote the novel in hopes that it would spark a desire to restore the church.

Faux Kodak moment of Olivia

Next adventure was the infamous lock bridge.  Somewhere on there, the 4 of us have a lock.

Props to Liz for this Panorama

After Walking past the lock bridge we looked a little lost and this older gentleman asked if we needed help with directions.  His name was Peter and he was the kindest person we had met so far.  A former resident of the UK, he moved to Paris for the architecure although he didn’t care too much for the people.  I got an inkling that his move was also because he wasn't keen on royalty and the idea behind it but that’s neither here nor there.  Anyway, he gave us some great advice on places to visit during our stay in Paris and he even gave us his card in case we got into a bind.  

I love this picture. Have no idea what the building
is.  Faith Pix ®.  Feel free to print it, hang it on
your wall, whatever you please.

I wish I could claim this picture as my own but, alas, the filters of vivid colour
out-due me once again.  Michelle's AWESOME CAMERA took this lovely
photo of this unknown yet picturesque building (inception much?).  I would
like to emphasize the greatness that is Michelle's camera.

More Paris adventures to come!

***I take no responsibility for the accuracy of said material.  If it’s not true, I apologize, but at least it sounds interesting.  If you don’t think it’s true, think of it as a good fiction story. Play along and enjoy.