Day 92 - Next...Zurich

Where has the weekend gone?  We were all packed up, checked out but left our bags in storage, and on our way by just after 9am.  This time we were able to get take away coffee and fresh pastries from the supermarket up the road (makes it easier that we are all on a budget!)

I had read in the guide book that the LÓrangerie, where we wanted to visit first was not open til 12.30pm so instead we caught the Metro to the Louvre and started there.  I had really forgotten how beautiful all the buildings are in the area and just how huge the museum is.  We didn’t go in, instead walking all around the buildings, past the pyramid, then along the Jardin des Tuilleries (the gardens that run from the Louvre to the Obelisque at Place de la Concorde).  At times it looked like it was going to rain other times the sun came out and we were stripping off.  Parts of Paris are just so picturesque, whilst other parts are so dirty (like the metro train stations).  I really loved just wandering the streets past all the sites – it jogged my memory of the trip there in 1992.

Next stop was the Musee de LÓrangerie as it was open earlier than our guide book stated.  Great, toilet stop was needed!  LÓrangerie is home to Claude Monet’s famous water lilies paintings (thanks to Yvonne and Olly for recommending it).  On the first floor there are two oval sized rooms that Monet designed, to create an atmosphere he felt was appropriate to display his work to maximise enjoyment by the people who came to see.  The works were designed from 1914 until his death in 1926 and they are inspired by the water garden on his property in Giverny.  There are 8 panels in total and reflect the rhythm of light variations over the passing hours, from morning in the East to sunset in the West.  I really loved the works.

Not Monet, another piece of art I liked

From the LÓrangerie we headed through one of the expensive sections of Paris, passing shops such as Chanel, YSL etc then on through Place Vendome. 

When we got to the Opera House (incredible building!), I said farewell to Maria and Betty as I had to make my way back to the hotel to collect my bags, then catch the Metro to meet the train that would be taking me firstly to Strasbourg (shows how complacent I am becoming, didn’t even know what country Strasbourg was before boarding the train, what language is spoken there or currency used!), then onto Zurich (in Switzerland, German and French is spoken, and the currency is Swiss Franc). 

The train trip all up was about 6 hours, with a short stop in Strasbourg.  It was lovely looking out the window and watching the fields go by and smaller towns.  It is all so green and lush.  I had a little picnic for lunch and dinner, and kept myself occupied typing up blog notes, reading about Zurich, downloading photos and doing Sudoku puzzles.  Most people don’t chat much on the train – not certain if they don’t know if you speak the same language or are busy with their own things eg computers, ipods, sleeping.

Just quickly, my feelings on Paris have improved since my last visit. I really didn’t go away from Paris in 1992 with a good impression – the people were very unfriendly, there were road works all over the place, and it was dirty.  This time everyone we met was friendly and helpful, the food was fabulous, and the sites were really impressive, but I am still disappointed by the cleanliness of Paris.  Maybe I have too higher expectations.  I really loved being there with Maria and Betty – it was great sharing the weekend together.

I arrived in Zurich after 9pm and made my way via bus to Christoph’s house (Christoph has been my pen-friend for over 26 years. During that time we have met up with each other a couple of times, both in Germany – his home town, and in Australia).  It was great spending some time talking and catching up.