Fancy meeting you here!

Up bright and early! Especially for a Saturday, this morning, we met Jenna downstairs at 8:30 to get on a train for Chartres. About an hour outside of Paris, Chartres is home to Notre-Dame de Chartres; one of the "finest examples of Gothic style architecture in France". Or so they tell me. Arriving in Chartres, first thing was first, check out the local Saturday market. Beautiful as always, very small, very quaint; much like this little town. After wandering around the town a bit, and eating a very delicious macaroon, we headed to the Cathedral for a tour by none other than... Malcolm Miller! Haven't heard of him? Well, to be perfectly honest, neither had I. Regardless, he's very famous for his studies of Cathedrals in France, especially Notre-Dame de Chartres. And did this guy know his stuff? Did he ever. He is originally from England, somehow meandered his way to France years ago and has been here ever since. He has written several books, on Chartres alone, and does tours there rather often; but not all the time, so we were definitely lucky! He took us through the Cathedral and gave us detailed descriptions of many of the stained glass windows; their double meanings, symbols, etc. Also, described in detail how the Church used to look- Americans based their cathedrals after how France's look NOW.. but in the olden days, France based their cathedrals off of Greek temples; completely colorful! The Cathedral is currently being worked on and in about 5-6 years (you know how the French work... ) it should look as it did when it was first built (I say that loosely because the one that stands today is actually the 5th Cathedral.. so first isn't exactly what I mean). I could probably talk for hours (or pages?) about the church. It was really incredible. Having such an amazing guide was a great help too; so much information about one place seems impossible to me! After our guide, Jenna and George had Mr. Miller sign some of their books and we were on our way for lunch.

A nice little lunch at a cafe called "Le Serpent"; ironically enough across the street from a church, tempting us with its food! Ha. Delicious none the less. Then a walk through some museums; one of "beau-arts" and one of stained glass. A quick trip the the crypt and back upstairs to see the "robe" of Mary. So they say, it was a gift from Charlemagne's grandson to the church. I think I have that right. Charlemagne was involved somehow. Pretty neat to see all around. While we looked at that, the music of the organ played in our ear as two people were married! I felt awful wandering around through their wedding, but they didn't seem to mind; so I didn't either. I clapped at the end and they went on their way! What a place to be married! We took a little train around the "old" town; which proved to be not very motivating as our little group was really tired, but it was nice to sit down for a while. Then back on the SNCF to Paris.

Arriving back about 6:30. I hopped on the metro to the Eiffel Tower to meet up with none other than Dylan Conley and Matthew Burns (and their friend Melissa, who I didn't know). For those of you who don't know. Dylan is one of my best friend's brothers, and Matt also went to LaSalle; I actually took a class with Matt when I was a sophomore and he was a senior. Fancy stumbling upon them in Paris! I guess Paris just brings people together; but LaSallains also tend to have a way, I think. They had one place in mind that was suggested by a friend, so we figured dinner near by would be a good idea. We headed over to the area of the Marais, had the nicest cab driver I've ever had in Paris; then tried to get falafel to no avail; ah the month of August! Ended up at this really adorable cafe that I have been before, so knew the food would be pretty good. I guess they were fairly happy and impressed as everyone ate to their fill. I'm sure I bored them with my little Paris anecdotes and "rules" that I've learned here; but oh well, they're on my turf, they listen to my stories? After dinner, we headed for the pub that a friend had suggested to Dylan called "The Quiet Man". Probably one of the smallest pubs I"ve ever seen, but in true Irish fashion! Everyone there was Irish... or French... or Irish... we really couldn't tell; they switched so quickly between the two it seemed! It was incredible! Downstairs, a bunch of musicians played Irish tunes, while upstairs people sang, stomped, and ordered Guinness! A perfect ending to the day.

I've had a pretty eventful final full Saturday in Paris. I can't believe I leave for the states in one week! Doesn't seem real! Lots I want to accomplish tomorrow, so off to bed for me. (Read the post under this one because I posted two at once!)

Bisous,
Amy