few thoughts 121108

1. still on that Crepe fiend...! I never stop.
2. Long but fun photo walk today. Today was official. I went on 10 roll craze (yeah, I had to buy extra) from Le Defence to Pond Neuf. It's still cold in the city but not too cold and besides, I don't mind being so cold, I actually like being cold so it was really fun. My feet didn't hurt much either. First, Paris does not lace itself with cobblestones so it ain't too hard on your feet and this is new city and city that I've been admire for a long time so I was really ready for whatever. Anyway, I walked from like 10 am 'til 6 pm. Eating crepes, trying a cup of warm wine (it was delicious!), drinking coffees, taking pictures and...
3. Around Pond Neuf, there's a street called Boulevard Saint-Michel. It is the street that many artists and poets used to hang out like...'THE' Arthur Rimbaud. Now, that's gotta be pretty cool. So I was basically wondering around Boulevard Saint-Michel and really almost accidently, I ran into streets full of galleries after galleries. I found some of the coolest galleries I've ever seen. Including a gallery that is totally dedicating themselves into graffiti and street art. How cool is that?! It was the best gallery/museum I've ever been too. I was so excited that chills ran through my spine, yes, it was that awesome. Today's wondering was nothing but wonderful as I ran into streets draped with galleries and even some antique camera shops. I couldn't go into antique camera shop because one, I probably come out crying because of fact that I can't afford any of those beauties and second, it was so breathtaking that it's fitting that the store and I should have some distance in between or otherwise, I'll probably catch myself a heart attack. Let me tell ya, minute I saw that wodden 8x10 camera and Leica from 60s, I thought I was about to have seizure.
4. So going back to my Louvre experience yesterday...I told y'all how great it was to see Delacroix' 'Liberty Leading the People' and although I did not mentioned it but I was really excited to see the sculpture of Nike...no, it's not that Nike, it's actually a beautiful woman...you idiot. I think she's beautiful but I really can't tell because she doesn't have her head as of now. Poor woman. The name itself got me excited. Well, you know. Anyway! I had the weirdest art viewing moment in Louvre as I literally scambled myself to look at Mona Lisa. Yes, Mona F'in' Lisa. Oh, you...overrated piece of wonderfulness, you. Let me just say Da Vinci is the illest, that's no doubt but this Mona Lisa thing is really blown out of proportion. You can feel there's Mona Lisa in that room because not a damn thing in that floor matters but that and that floor had Delacroix, Piccaso, statue of Nike, David and much more. Flashes are going crazy as if Mona Lisa will end up on tomorrow's edition of National Inquirer. It was absolutely insane. Mona Lisa is pop culture's equivalent of Britney Spears and we are all paparazzis. Yes, I said it. It was exciting to see the history that is still breathing. I was thrilled to see Mona Lisa but at the same time, it exists in between flashes of validation and touristy smiles on front. Most of us, including myself, look at this thing without really understanding how great this picture is. You are there because it's Mona Lisa. That's it. It's no more than an artifact for most of people that validates the whole experience in Louvre that offers lot more than just Mona Lisa. It didn't leave me bitter taste in my mouth because you see this in every where. It happens in every where that has a momument or a monumentally famous artworks. However, it made me think about what kind of experience are we supposed to have in museum because flashing your flashes, tip-toeing and striking a pose front of the artwork is something that sits weird with me. Maybe I am paranoid.
5. I was sandwiched in a subway car. Oh wow...that was an experience.
6. Is France fond of America? I don't know but they have so many things that refers to America. They have 'American Hospital', 'New York Avenue', 'Franklin D Roosevelt Avenue' and list goes on...I know we ain't going to have Zidane Avenue, Sarkozy Drive or Monaco Street anytime soon. I mean, remember couple years ago? We did try to change french fries into freedom fries. Why did I even bring that up.
7. I got a sweet looking PSG soccer scarf!!!! Those who don't know what PSG is PSG stands for Paris St-Germain and they are Paris' professional soccer team. I think they have one of the coolest yet simplest logo in all soccer with colors to match to represent the city perfectly. I was pretty happy to get those in my hand.