Tallin and Paris

A few blogs ago I mentioned buying a Rodin replica from The Louvre. Well, I think I simply said Paris but it was bought at The Louvre Museum shop.



The Louvre is one of the most amazing places I've ever been (and I've been some); not the most amazing, that's reserved for the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. It is absolutely HUGE. You need a week to get round it properly. I had an afternoon but it was wonderful. The Rodin is destined for a plinth in the main entrance to The House and I think it will go very nicely.

Paris is wonderful, isn't it? I have no idea of the name of the part I stayed in but check out this shop. Millions of things neatly stacked and waiting purchase; lovely style, character and panache (no doubt a French word).

I was disappointed with Notre Dam cathedral. I know its one of the architectural wonders of the 'modern' world but everything was just too mercenary and the tourists taking photos during Mass were appalling.

The corner restaurants are the most attractive in the world, of course.

This one was simply buzzing around lunchtime and I captured the three waiters in animated movement. Interesting, if you crop then compare colour and monochrome.

I think monochrome brings out more character. Maybe we've lost something by introducing more information?

I gave myself a present of the two days in Paris on the way back from Estonia. Tallin, the capital, decided to have a major diplomatic spat with Russia while I was there so there were riots, water-cannons, 1,000 arrests and the Army on the street; terrific. Tallin is a very old, dating from 1154 and, up to 1625, St. Olav's Church was the tallest building in the world.

The guys who invented Skype are from Tallin and within a couple of years the whole of Estonia will have free, wireless internet coverage; really backward and uncivilised these former Soviet satellites' eh? The most memorable things about 'old' Tallin were the shop signs hanging outside every business; colourful, imaginative, descriptive, attractive and attracting.


Although Estonia is a full member of the EEC they still use their own currency, the Krooni or Krone (EEK), as well as the Euro. No problem inside the country but NOWHERE outside Estonia will convert EEK to any other currency, even other European Community countries.