Riding The Paris Metro!

Recapping some of the trip - it didn't take long for the whole group to keep their eyes open as we traveled around on the Paris metro.  We had some crazy experiences!  But once you know the name of the end of the route you can figure out which metro to take - you just have to follow the signs if you need to navigate the underground tunnel to change trains!

The art nouveau signs for the metro entrances are varied and great subjects for little paintings!

Here we are helping each other figure out where to go - great team work!

Waiting for the next train!

Paris metro stations are unique - the one for the Bastille is a beautiful mosaic depiciting the French revolution.  One day we got off at this stop just to appreciate the art before getting on again and heading to the Louvre.

On one ride, David sat next to an interesting man who was singing and talking to himself - David joined in and sang with him and a beautiful thing happened, the man calmed down...a moment shared with a troubled soul.

Getting on an off was a challenge to make sure we were all on together.  One ride, Steve didn't make it on before the doors shut.  We got off at our stop, watching for his yellow shirt as each train went by...he knew we were headed to the Louvre, so we went on.  He just happened to join up with us as he was walking across the Tuilleries and we passed the entrance!  We told him he needed to keep wearing that yellow shirt!  The wind would blow our air creating those model photo shots - here are a couple of good ones of Steve!

It was an exciting shared adventure!

Yes We Did Paint!

Along with the museums, the cafes, the boat ride on the Seine, shopping and interactions with some dear French friends, we took hundreds, even thousands of photos among us, and we did paint.

The first week in Paris we made some entries in our travel journals, but during the 2nd week in Masbonson, we painted larger pieces either plein aire, or from our rooms looking out through old windows at the picturesque views when it was raining.

Nicole and Gilbert printed up 45 invitations which were hand delivered, to invite the neighbors from the surrounding hamlets to come to our guest house and enjoy an impromptu exhibit.  It was a rainy afternoon, but for those who came, we spent an afternoon speaking French, English and with hand gestures.  The French enjoy seeing their very familiar countryside and homes through our eyes.

Back home, we have plenty inspirational photos to keep us painting for a long time!