STL DPB ON THE ROAD - UNDER THE PYRAMID

Louvre Madness Part ...  So, yeah, we went there yesterday because that's one of the things everybody does here, even us after many visits to the city. It's exhausting. It's finally hit us that after decades of travel, now that we are well into our 70s, we are just not up to urban forced marches any more. Despite having bought five day Metro passes, I'm running up a serious Uber bill. Doesn't do a bit of good for street photography.

It may be just because we are older, but Paris seems more difficult. Worse traffic because of laws giving right of way to pedestrians, bicycles and scooters (not that it's a bad idea). More trash. But I'd rather be here than back home.           

STL DPB ON THE ROAD - DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

It is fitting to title this post with a quote from St. Louisan Yogi Berra, perhaps the only words of French he ever spoke. We are back in what is probably our favorite city in the world, Paris. Last night we took a tour of the Louvre with a young art historian.  The museum is horrifically crowded these days but it's not too bad at night. Familiar images here. Time to get out on the street.           

Proof That The Ancient Romans Played Baseball

This is a city daily photo blog. I have no new stuff for my city so I have to use another one. How about back to Paris? Can't go wrong.

This was taken in a Greco-Roman sculpture hall at the Louvre. The subject is about to throw a mean split-finger fastball. I don't see another possible interpretation.

So okay, I'm desperate, but the Great Forest Park Balloon Race is today. 
          

Back Home, With Memories

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Back home last night with big time jet lag (and a broke-down air conditioning system). I went to bed shortly after arrival. It will take me a while to build up some new local material so we'll look at memories of the trip for a few days.

Here's a bit more from the Louvre. It's a challenge to shoot an iconic work like the Venus de Milo without doing the same old thing. I hope I succeeded. Below, a shot from the windows of the Louvre looking west toward the Arc de Triomph, the Grand Arc of La Defense and the office towers of the suburb.

By the way, there are a lot more trip photos on Flickr here.

STL DPB Does The Louvre

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The Louvre can drive you insane. There's just too much stuff. We did an overview yesterday, which was plenty.

Above, the throngs get their look at the Venus di Milo.

Below:

Winged Victory of Samothrace.

The throngs get their minicam shots of the Mona Lisa.

A solitary viewer of David's Coronation of Napoleon with a detail from the painting. Note the eyes.

Allons enfants de la Patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé! David's Liberty Leading The People.

Early pickup at our apartment today, then a nine hour flight to Chicago. I hope to get some more editing done.