http://www.mtdemocrat.com/opinion/belltower-best-museums-of-paris-rome-and-naples/ California's Oldest Newspaper - Est. 1851 Thu, 23 May 2013 05:57:04 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://www.mtdemocrat.com/opinion/belltower-best-museums-of-paris-rome-and-naples/comment-page-1/#comment-344880 James E. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:40:47 +0000 http://www.mtdemocrat.com/?p=250954#comment-344880 I loved Europe. Stayed at the King George V in Paris, and in Basel a hotel that is 900 years old (the Three Kings?). In Rome I was surprised to find I didn’t enjoy the spaghetti (not enamored of the sauce).
I found Berlin to be very cold and “German.” The south of France was wonderful, although I had to avert my eyes from the nude beaches. In England, I rented a small cottage east of Norfolk — Hickling Green, a little crossroad village with a pub and a 900 year old church. Totally peaceful. Cairo is another story — absolute culture shock. Memories.

]]> http://www.mtdemocrat.com/opinion/belltower-best-museums-of-paris-rome-and-naples/comment-page-1/#comment-344869 billzz Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:25:54 +0000 http://www.mtdemocrat.com/?p=250954#comment-344869 Michael Raffety writes so descriptively that I wish I was there again. The Louvre was crowded, and we never made it all the way, having only a day. The Musée d’Orsay is a converted rail station, and the story is that they wanted to have a place for the French Impressionist painters, but they were not to be in the Louvre, because it was not “real fine art.” I guess Monet showed them. He’s pretty popular. As much as anyone in the Louvre. And Michael’s description of the almost haphazard arrangements is true. I ascribe it to French nonchalance (or some other French word which I also do not know.) It’s just French. What can I tell you? They serve the salad last. And the Musée Marmottan Monet is the best? Sacre Bleu! (and other French curses and cheese) We missed it. Hmm. But this is an excuse for another visit. And certainly the Vatican Museum is well worth the time. We were married in Basel, and spent our honeymoon in Rome. The first thing we did was visit the Vatican Museum. When we returned to Germany our friends asked, “You did what? How about ‘La Dolce Vita?’” We were Roman party poopers. Oh, well. Anyway, this is a wonderful article which brings back fond memories, and is even better for providing us all with new memories. Incidentally the old Italian saying is “See Naples and die.” Great incentive.

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