They're Heeeerrreeee! and What is Art?

Good lord! The crowds have hit Paris! It was a mob scene today... they were everywhere... Buses of them by the millions being brought into the city and dropped off here. Following ladies with tall sticks with scarves or feathers on the ends of them... It's madness! It was so difficult walking down the street today that I found myself cursing in my head. I know what you're thinking... technically, I am one of them. Yes, I know... however my presence just is so much more diminutive than theirs. Just one little ole' me and a whole mess of them. Well, thanks to the intermittent rain today and the hoards of mainly Europeans on the streets, I opted for what I thought would be a more laid back day. I think it was impossible to avoid the crowds, but I chose to forgo the Montmartre neighborhood today because everything I heard about it included tourists so I figured it would be worse today... so on the next trip to Paris, it will be the top of my list.

I started out late today, (a reoccurring theme for me there in Paris) and had brunch at one of the cafe's around the corner. My plan was to go to the Pompidou museum today, since the last time I went it was closed (BUT I did run into Penny and Pete there that day, so not a total waste). My screaming feet told me to take the subway to the museum even though it was only 2 stops away... so I did. Now I was thankful at this point to have that Museum Pass because the lines where SOOOOOO long for this museum, inside and out, and I just walked up and in. That's it! Still, the place was unbearably crowded and so after I dropped off my coat and scarf, I whizzed around like a motorcycle in traffic on the 405 freeway. Now, when I planned to go to this museum, I knew ahead of time that I was going to see some crap... crap that somehow or another fooled the art world into being accepted into a world class museum (that's my take on some of the modern art, in case you don't know this about me). I had no idea it could be as comical as it was. Here are a couple of my favorites:

white canvases???!!!!! -------->

Seriously??? This is just unbelievable! Some of it was so off the charts-weird (purely my own untrained opinion) that I had to laugh out loud. Everyone else (all 3 gazillion of them at the museum) seemed to be enjoying it, but not nearly as much as I was. **** Candace, if you're reading this, I searched and searched for George Hearms' work, but didn't see any. Seems like he would have work here... How odd?

A rhinoceros?????? Blow up furniture????

There was some good stuff by some familiar artists like Picasso, Miro, Matisse, Kandinsky, Mondrian, and even that kook Jackson Pollack.
When the time came (about 2 hours too late) I was ready to go. What I got out of this experience at the Pompidou museum: What really is art anyway? And who says what is art? Not me... that's for sure. I would like to have a word with the museum curators though. Sheeesh!
I'm just sayin'..........................

Out I leapt into the streets of Paris amidst the mobs of tourists... I spent the rest of the day, walking around the Les Halles and Marais neighborhoods. There were times that I could barely move on a street, but pushed through in search of an alternate route. My alternate routes always turned out to be charming neighborhoods with adorable shops and cafes AND hoards of tourists, polluting the space. All in all, I made a few purchases, ate a Parisian hamantashen from a Jewish bakery in the Marais and ultimately put another 5 miles on my pedometer and worn-out feet. Back at the apartment, I took a rest, watched a dvd on my computer, and then ran out for a chicken panini for dinner, which I got to go. Now, I'm just relaxing and plan to hit the sack early. Just about the only creature comfort from home I miss is my bed, as I haven't been sleeping as well here as I do at home. I will need some catching up when I get back.

Bonsoir!