On Paris metro 5 right now: service from place d’italie to bobigny/Pablo Picasso.
Speaking of Pablo Picasso, I was graced with the opportunity to go to the Picasso Mania a few days ago at the Musee d’Orsay. For free! Technically, most publicly operated museums and tourist attractions around Europe grant free entrance to only EU citizens between 18-26 and sometimes you must be specifically an arts student within that strata. However, with a little sweet talking in rough French or broken English, my friends and I have been able to wiggle through a few loopholes and get free entrance to d’orsay, the top of arc de triumph, the catacombs, the louvre, and reduced tariffs to the Vatican museum and many other places. But, sometimes, those at the ticket desk halted our attempts at hurdling red tape with a stiff arm — demanding validation of an EU country passport or catching us on the fact we are from a private/American institution.
Anyway, on Paris metro 5 right now and it’s definitely my favorite of the 10 or so different lines I’ve tasted. The seats are – by a significant margin – larger than the other lines and have plumper cushions, with chairbacks that scoop deeply and ergonomically like a bucket seat. On this line, I am headed to the finale night of Pitchfork Paris Music Festival. 50 euros for a dusk to dawn performance including Ratatat,
Father John Misty, and other great established indie titles upcoming artists… After party included.
Let’s go!!
Picasso Mania was really cool though. It focused on his massive influence; changing perspectives and inspiring the direction of modern art at large. Through the multimedia components in the exhibit that showed Picasso’s influence into other artists’ work leading up to our generation, I was able to obtain a further grasp on the nuances of Cubism as it relates to the progressing world of art.
Before Paris was Rome for the first four days of fall break. So much walking and inevitable foot cramps. It was worth it all for the overwhelming amount of art and architecture we were able to take in: Vatican cathedral, Sistine chapel, Vatican museum, Roman forum and colosseum, “Romes wedding cake”, “The End of Geography” nature preserve and more.
Tomorrow is Versialles[for free;) ], and then packing up to go back to Aix. Quite a fall break!