Flight in.

Well, it has been a while since our last post and lots has happened. We flew over in one of the new HUGE Airbus 380. It has two levels and we even had a camera view from the tail!

Upon arrival in Paris, we ran into a delay (I'll allow the Constantine to speak about that) but we prevailed!

Constantine says:

"Preface: he’s just fine. After about 12 hours of grogginess and recycled air with my left arm and leg buried under a landslide of fat European man, I stumbled into the tunnels under the airport towards customs. As we pooled together on the French side of customs, our headcount was down one, and in our sleep deprivation we couldn’t quite figure out who it was, until Joe mentioned, “I thought I saw the Interpol walk Gordon into an interrogation room.” We would not see him again until the afternoon, and he won’t say much about his time."

The real story: Gordon has used an old passport accidentally and Interpol took four hours to figure out that he wouldn't be a threat to their national security (!!!). He was a trooper, and Mrs Donoghue stayed by him the entire time, shooting daggers at the curt policemen with her eyes. We all continued on to the hotel and checked in. Our rooms are cozy and clean and close to the sights.

Last minute thoughts...

Ok...so I was at H&M picking up a few last minute items and...lo and behold...I hear "Mrs. Thompson?" I got to see Esther a day earlier than expected! Perhaps you too are still up at 11:50 packing, like I am, out of sheer anticipation. Or, maybe you are clever like Mrs. Donoghue, whom I assume went to bed hours ago. Nevertheless, we will all sleep soundly on the plane and it is a good thing because we are going to be VERY busy very soon! Really. I can't wait. New addition: On the 22nd, we are going to have a tour of the Animal exhibit at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris--all items inspired by animals! Then we will go see Ralph Lauren's famous car collection and sketch away. See you tomorrow!
Link for Animal exhibit
Link for Lauren exhibit

Weather!

Check out the new weather icons, peeps! Paris will be nice and cool, it seems. Hopefully, the weather will hold off. If not, we can always duck into a nice warm cafe for chocolat! Italy, of course, will be a little warmer. Bring layers, kids, layers.

Map our trip on Google maps

Follow us through Paris and Italy!


View Bullis Art Intensive 2011 in a larger map

Tips for getting ready!! (a repost)

Here are a few things that you might consider while you are packing up to go. First, make sure that you notify your credit card company that you (or your child) will be traveling and where that will be. That way, when they see charges in Paris they won't think that someone unauthorized has taken off with your card. Students: be sure to bring along your student ID or some other way of identifying how old you are so that you do not have to tote around your passport. Many attractions in Paris are free for under 18's and reduced for 18-25's. Also, for your carry-on, you may want to consider a comfortable bag that zips shut. That way, when we are walking around you will have piece of mind that your wallet won't walk! Also be sure to keep an eye on the weather...

Lastly, furnish your mind these last weeks before the trip.
Visit the Slow Travel site (the link is posted for you). This site is INVALUABLE! It gives lots of great advice on things you would never think of (like bathroom etiquette in Paris, who knew?). Brush up on your Art History (good book: The Story of Art) and look up the sights we will be seeing online. Look on google maps at the satellite view of the places we will be staying to give yourself a sense of space. Finally watch some movies, especially those with subtitles so you get used to listening to the language. Here is a list of some that I have enjoyed, but feel free to post others!! French: Amelie, Chacun Cherche Son Chat (have not seen this but have heard that it is great), Trois Couleurs: Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge, An American in Paris, Ronin, The Bourne Identity (some scenes, though it gives you a feel for Europe) and if you must: The DaVinci Code. Italy: A Room With a View (!!), Under the Tuscan Sun, Tea with Mussolini, Il Postino (about Neruda, the poet), Stealing Beauty (though this might be a bit risque, I've heard and read it is a great portrait of Toscana ). A bit of a warning: pretty much any movie about Tuscany has a subplot about some American being swept off her feet by her new-found lack of inhibitions or a hot Italian. Parisian movies sometimes have uncomfortably realistic love scenes. Just want you to be prepared...but don't let that scare you-just fast-forward. It is worth it to see the places and hear the language.
Books: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables, A Tale of Two Cities, DaVinci Code (hey, it's fun), The Lives of the Artists (Vasari), The Italians (fascinating), the Rough Guides to Paris and Tuscany, Rick Steves books and videos, phrasebooks, pod casts on learning French and Italian (!!)

Playdate tomorrow at Noon rm 224!

Dear Travelers, please bring your sketchbooks, because Ms. Donoghue, Ms. Darling and Ms Thompson have been working hard to find lots of goodies for you to paste inside. Paintings, architectural features, drawing and writing prompts, even some puzzles. Most importantly, you will be getting your artists to research. Be there or be square!

Thank Heavens for Street View! Or rather...thank Google.

Interested in seeing where our hotel is in Paris? Check out street view and take a walk around the neighborhood. Just drag the little yellow figure down to the streets and take a look around!