Yeah, I'm a glutton for punishment. But I was on a quest! Heheh. I believe I have found some of the earliest dragons. They're on babylonian artifacts from roughly 4100 years ago. I looked at some even older stuff, but they didn't have dragons. For any of you who don't understand my need to do dragon research, observe this fascinating presentation on dragons by a skillsed artist.
Other than that, the Louvre has been somewhat less interesting today. The ancient stuff usually explains itself, but the more modern works are fraught with symbolism and stories behind their patronages that just float in the ether. Seriously, there are more than a few paintings in the Louvre that are figures from classical times, painted to look like characters from Greek mythology, and so covered with different symbols of countries, royalty, and just general symbolism that it boggles the mind. I sprung for the handset in english. It helps some. I find myself far more inclined to take pictures of works after I've heard their descriptions. I don't really understand enough about brush technique and composition to fully appreciate the workmanship. But if it has an interesting story, is part of a familiar myth, or has a monster in it, I'm there!
Okay, okay. Enough about art. What about travel? I forgot to include my decision to head for Rome. I may take a stop or two along the way (It's a long way by train.), but I'm determined to minimize the tourist crush.
All right. It's time for dinner, then back to the Louvre. It's open late on Friday. After that I need to figure out when to with my last remaining days in Paris. I still haven't been to Notre Dame, and Versailles is calling. A day trip by rail to the countryside may be in order as well. It's definitely time to find a rail office.
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2 comments:
Hey Beautiful!
Eh. Historical sites are mostly just place where people hang out to view where other people used to hang out. ;)
I don't know if sites help with writing so much. They can be inspiring, I suppose. I've always thought the purpose of most of these places was to impress the viewer so much that they fall prostrate and beg to hand over all their money. That was basically the effect the British Museum had on me. And after paying the much larger fees at the Louvre, I'm glad I donated and bought a couple souveneirs at the BM.
I have met some cool people. It's all temporary, but it's nice to chat and spend time nonetheless.
The local lovelies here don't speak english, avoid eye contact (like any woman in a large city would), and have better things to do than steal the heart of a slightly fragrant tourist. To be truthful, I think you have to be less careful or maybe less cynical than I to fall in love with anyone in the time you spend in passing at a hostel.
My return ticket from Athens is for the 29th. I'll be jetlagged and trying to make space for my bed (I moved just before I left to a room in a friend's house.) for a few days after that. Hopefully I'll have my pictures sorted and ready for viewing a few days after that. :)
Yeah. You can buy translators, but I've spent enough time worrying about expensive gadgets and their batteries already.
Hmmm. I don't think I know that song.
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