Easter Parade

 Easter Sunday and 5th Avenue in NYC is closed to cars so that the Easter 'parade' can take place.  I went there expecting a parade of sorts...possibly people walking down the center of the street in their Easter finery, possibly music, and possibly appreciating by standers.

What we ran into was more clever and more casual.  From babies to families, to gay couples and elderly - hats were the spotlight. Some were quickly put together, but others showed a great deal of planning and creativity. There were the expected bunny ears and balloon hats. And then there were hats made of subway tickets, feathers, easter eggs, superhero characters, and flowers.

The hatted walked amongst the appreciating unhatted.  They sauntered down 5th avenue, posing for photos  along the way. The unhatted admired and complimented as the hatted passed...all done like a choreographed dance.

If i am in NYC for Easter again - I will be SURE to have a hat!

New York Spring Scenes

 After that long flight from Paris, I needed to stay awake. Tho, I have to say that Air France is a pleasant airlines to fly coach. Much better than Delta- better seats, entertainment, and much better food!

I got out and about in the Chelsea area and found that there are indeed alligators coming out of the sewers and munching on very small people. At least that is what i saw in the subway!

 

Whimsical cake3

 I wandered over to Chelsea Market to see the variety of foods, and even just to see the building that was a series of brick warehouses.
 Such an assortment of food related shops - bakeries for cakes, brownies, cookies, pastries and breads;  a restaurant for just soup;  seafood;  organic menus; wines;  baskets - big for Easter; and more.



I sat down for some warm, thick, aromatic curry chicken butternut squash soup.  Just what I needed!  After all those French pastries, I walked past the sweets and breads.  At another time though I could be swayed.

 

bread makers at work

this would be called, the Lobster shop

Interesting architecture

Giverny - Walking the paintings

A beautiful spring day begs for a visit to gardens, so we took the train to  Vernon, the town near Giverny where Monet lived and painted so many of his famous works - like the water lily series.

He had the gardens planted and he rebuilt the house to make it his sanctuary where his painter friends would visit. Must have been a lively and relaxing setting.

Spring was in bloom and the afternoon was wonderful - complete with some Sancerre and frites to wait for the train back.

The Paris trip was coming to a close with New York for the next day.

Need strong shoes in Paris!

Feet dont fail me now!  Walking, walking, walking the streets of Paris.  Not a bad thing, just tough on the feet.  But a joy to everything else.
I got to see St Chappelle at the Palais Du Justice.  They have been restoring the magnificent stained glass windows.  They were stunning to begin with and are even more so. The church seems to float on stained glass windows. And my other fave are the gargoyles.

I remember when you could just walk in, but alas - today you have to stand in line for the security check before you get the ticket to go into the basement where you can buy everything St Chappelle and then, finally, you go upstairs to the church.  I didnt even know there was a basement!

Lacey glass windows

Gargoyles!!

The church greeters - on the front door

I got to try out my awful French with the gendarmes after my written postcard flew out of my purse and behind a security fence. Not one of them spoke any English - but they figured by my gesturing that something interesting had happened to something that jumped out of my purse.  I finally convinced one to accompany me to the fence where he understood my issue.  A postcard rescue ensued and all was right with the world again.

Wandering around Ile de citie is always special. Notre Dame is just as regal as ever. I headed over to the Latin Quarter and Sorbonne, then on to St. Germain Des Pres. Stopped at Jardins de Luxembourg to check out the spring flowers and some pastry - of course!   Truely wonderful afternoon. 

There was the Frenchman who decided I needed to learn French and he was going to teach me.  After a couple Ca va's, I got the c'est bien and was allowed to continue.

Neighborhood has great cars! Also saw Ferarri this morning parked in front of hotel

Springtime in Paris

 Weather is wonderful in Paris - sunny and not too hot, high 60's. The flowers are blooming and the streets are full of ....kids?  Seems it is spring break in France and everyone wants to come to Paris. What happened to going to the beach?

I am staying down the road from Arc d'Triomphe, so a short walk to Champs Elysees and all its craziness.  I found a 2 story espresso store in the old Air France office. They have espresso conceirges, a couple espresso lounges, areas to consult your espresso sales person, quite an assortment of high end espresso makers and of course espressos from all over the world, and would we even be surprised - chocolates.

 I'm also fascinated with the easter/spring chocolates that are not only in the shape of eggs and bunnies but other various animals- chickens, and even hedgehogs. Not sure where hedgehogs came from, but they are eating a 'raw egg' - really painted chocolate. With egg yolk on their little noses they look so innocent, yet so guilty!

I enjoyed Sunday brunch at the hotel - Paris Hilton...sound familiar? Try looking this up on google - the pictures you see are NOT the hotel.  So, i am getting my fill of croissants and french bread.  Good thing they have a well equipped gym-but I think I'd have to work out at least 3 full hours per day to negate what I'm eating!!!

Circus and Opulance

Ca'd'Zan

part of world's largest miniature circus

 The Turk and I headed over to beautiful Sarasota this weekend to visit dear friends Jess and Ken. for our weekend activity, Jess and I opted for a cultural experience - a visit to the Ringling House and museums. Ken and the Turk headed for the dog track!  You'll see the more interesting pictures were from the girls.

John Ringling and 4 of his brothers created Ringling Brothers Circus. John helped grow the business to cross the country every year in a train of close to 100 cars. A self contained city, complete with a zoo of hundreds of animals. After buying Barnum and Bailey circus in 1907, he became quite wealthy and expanded his business ventures, even becoming a board member of Madison Square Gardens.  Then he got into Florida real estate and discovered Sarasota.  That is where he and his wife, Mabel ended up building their dream home Ca'd'Zan in 1925 which is based on Venice's Doge Palace. Venice was their favorite city and the source of much of their culture inspiration.

 

a couple of the 100 train cars used for the circus

 

Venetian architecture

Picking my room

dances of nations ceiling panel in the ball room

After the circus museum, we headed to Ca'd'Zan. It is right on the water looking out to Long Boat Key. A beautiful view - amidst beautiful grounds. The rose garden was in full spring bloom and you could smell a mix of rose scents along every step.

We then got to explore the art museum based on the extensive Ringling collection.  He even bought 2 rooms from the Astor mansion in NYC when the mansion was being torn down.

all marble bathroom!

one of the images on the playroom ceiling

ceiling of great room

Jess in the TOWER

Guys recover from tough day

What about the guys?   They went to the dog track and the Turk learned that the greyhounds chase a fake rabbit, not a live one.  After our busy day, we arrived home to find the guys....recovering!