The Doors

Maybe it's because it's Paris, or maybe it just comes from being in a new place. Either way, I can't help noticing details of daily existence that once seemed completely mundane and unremarkable. You're going to think this is crazy, but as one example of this new compulsion, I've been paying attention to the beauty and individuality of doors. It seems as though every building in Paris has a completely unique door or set of doors. They're different colors, shapes, and sizes; they're made out of different materials; they're incorporated into building structures in different ways. Through all of these variables, the doors say very different things about the people who walk through them every day. They also provide an unusual snapshot of the city's architectural heritage. But mostly their great variation make walks through the city invariably entertaining - an epic game of "Concentration" where you're almost sure to never find a match.

It may seem silly, but next time you go for a walk, think about how many of the doors you see match each other. And let me know what you discover.

Paris in a day

Alyssa and Michelle were mostly recovered from jet lag by Sunday morning, so we decided to take them on a long walk through a few different neighborhoods and past several of the most important sights in Paris.

We began at our apartment and walked down rue Faubourg du Temple to the Canal St. Martin in the 10th arrondissement. We were lucky enough to catch a boat passing through the locks on its way down the canal.

After meandering across Place de la République, we entered the Marais district, historical center of Paris' Jewish community and current place-to-be, in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. We detoured into the Centre Pompidou (home of Paris' modern art collection) to use the toilet, marvel at the finds in the bookshop, and admire the postmodern architecture. Unlike last time, we didn't go up to the 6th floor to see impressive views of the city, but you can see them for yourself via the museum's own webcams.

We continued our journey through to the Hôtel de Ville, not a hotel at all, but the City Hall of Paris. We've seen the place in front filled with exciting exhibitions before. Right now, it's covered by an ice skating rink and two free carousels as a gift from the mayor to celebrate the season.

We crossed the Pont d'Arcole on our way to the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris...

...made our way to the Louvre...

...and stopped to enjoy the view.

What a day! There's actually a great story from lunch, but I'll let Louis tell you all about it.