THE GLORY OF PARIS

e I finally got to Paris this year and it was wonderful I planned to meet Bob there long ago but things happened which made the trip impossible this year my dream came true after long hours of flight above the sea in a dream world of clouds I finally landed in France and the door was opened on a new world for me Bob had sent me a fascin bob knew and loved from his Happy Days of art study there before the war first on my list was the Eiffel Tower it's called it the queen of Paris stands high above the rooftops of the city a masterpiece of Art in lace like steel like the majority of tourist I too carried a camera on my shoulder to catch in pictures all the wonders of my trip just walking under the Eiffel Tower to get to the elevators that run to the top is an experience one doesn't forget the elevators in the Eiffel Tower are a maze of pulleys and wheels and steel cable when the elevator jerked to a stop I stepped onto the solid observation platform with its colorful restaurant and little round tables and red and white chairs many Frenchmen come here at noon and look out over their beloved Paris while they have lunch The View was breathtaking and I stood and studied the city for a long while then like many of the visitors I took some pictures for keep sakes all Paris was there at my feet as far as I could see the great City lay like a field of colorful flowers about the Eiffel Tower the gentle flowing s River wraps itself about Paris and on it barges move serenely carrying their caros to and from Paris each with its own family on board to the Parisian the S is not only an artery of Commerce but it is an inspiration for art and music and below me was the temporary United Nations building which certainly represents the farthest stage people have reached in trying to get along with each other in this world after having seen Paris from an angel's Viewpoint I was happy to return to Earth and visit some of the other places Bob had listed and capture in my small way his warm appreciative love of this great City soon I was being driven at a mad Pace up to shanzi Li in a wrecky old taxi French taxi drivers use their horns a lot more than breakes there on top of the hill that they call the star there a great Arc to Triumph with deep respect and humility I approached the Tomb of the French Unknown Soldier I stood reverently at the place where presidents and Generals pay homage to a soldier known only to God here's great truth I thought for always in the shadow of Triumph rest the hero who has forfeited his life for the victory ever fresh flowers and an eternal flame decree that France shall not forget her sons whove Fallen that she should have Glory at the head of the grand Shan is the oct Triumph and at the foot is the plasta conord where Marie Antoinette and Louis the 14th were guilo Napoleon built several arcs to commemorate his victories farther up the same are many of the fascinating book stalls which are ever popular I stopped to brows and ease dropped on an animated conversation the French are very curious and forever interested in anything that has to do with art across the river from the book stalls was great notra dong in the fading light Parisian artists capture on canvas the everchanging shadows of their beloved p Paris and I thought of Bob as an art student and of his love for Paris the lengthening shadows and some intriguing Aromas of food took me to one of the small restaurants which Bob had recommended where you can get a good french meal s that is good French cooking without costing too much the morning of my second day in Paris I Rose very early so that I might visit the the wonderful open markets here were the farmers who had traveled all night from their Rich farmlands outside Paris to sell their due fresh produce to the merchants and Housewives of the city and even at this early time the artists were out catching that particular mood of early morning that awakens the good citizens of France on my way to the tracadero I pause to admire the P Alexandria that crosses the scene the tracadero also seems to rest in the shadow of the everpresent Eiffel Tower the tracadero is a museum where I preserved some of the outstanding forms of architecture from within and without the great cathedrals of France I was grateful to Bob for including the Trocadero and his list of things to see for stepping into this museum is like stepping into a moment from time which has been captured and held in its flight orate carvings in stone to inspire hope and salvation or fear of damnation Saints and Sinners life and death lift your eyes to God the figure seem to say for life is but a trial and only the soul of man can rise above the grave I recog recognized much of the collection for Bob had sketched certain pieces as part of his studies in art some of Bob's drawings I've framed to show at home after spending the morning at the tracadero I visited the lovely Gardens of the twer these were The Gardens of the royal families of France Napoleon and Josephine strolled these paths dukes and Dutch es whispered Words of Love among the flowers today this Garden of the twery may be admired by all the kings and aplans are gone but the flowers still Bloom each spring and may be enjoyed by everyone at the end of the garden stands a great Lou former Palace of the kings of France today the Lou belongs to the French people and their guests from all over the world are welcome it has been converted into a museum where Priceless art Treasures are exhibited for all to admire Bob once said to go into a museum and walk close to the great true creations of the Masters is like praying in a cathedral only more so to me first I went to the statue of Venus Deo being a woman I wanted to see this classical Grecian example of feminine loveliness which has captivated men for over 2,000 years I must admit the cold marble of the island of Milo has been brought alive and warm by the artist who carved her the winged victory of summates is another beautiful statue it's strange and marvelous the feeling that you get from the cold stone it's it's like the motion of flight or standing against the wind on a lonely Hilltop when I visited the Lou the directors were featuring a very special Leonardo da Vinci display Leonardo D Vinci actually spent little time painting for he was above all a great scientist and he experimented continually here is his conception of a helicopter his mechanical wing drawings for a canal with mechanical locks a dome rising from a circular base and a study in anatomy in all the World there just nine Da Vinci original oils I was privileged to view three of these paintings in this exhibit his portrait of the holy mother Mary and her cousin Elizabeth with John the Baptist as a child his portrait of John the Baptist as a man and his lady with a lovely smile the monisa considered by many to be not only the finest avenci works but the greatest art treasure the world has ever known is insured for over $1 million my last day in Paris I set aside to visit Bob I wore my wedding dress and fixed my hair the way Bob liked it best and then found my way to the high hill that stands above all Paris it was glorious a