Amazing Metz

After our many drives from Munich to Paris, we have decided that splitting up the drive on the way there is an easy way to make sure that everyone is happy.  We have tried many locations over the past couple years, but finally spent the night in Metz, and now we regret not being there sooner!

We entered the city in the late afternoon with sun pouring down on us, and blinding us by its reflection off the cathedral.  Gorgeous!

Walking into the Cathedral both Troy & I were stunned at the height of the nave, and the gorgeous windows around the entire church.   Some in better shape than others,

 

  but the more interesting part was the inclusion of modern stained glass.  As we were standing in the left transept, a set of windows caught my eye and I said to Troy – That looks like Marc Chagall’s work.  But there was no sign of who the artist was.

Behind the High Alter, however, was another series of windows, and a very long explanation of Marc Chagall’s work on various churches in France. (we had also seen some of his work in Reims.) As art alone it is stunning, I was blown away by it being in the cathedral.

And the outside was just as ornate.

New Friends

After being amazingly late to church on Sunday (I don’t think we were EVER this late before), we finally made it, and then were able to meet our new friend Benjamin after the service.  His parents, Annie & Jon, are so proud, and we fee so lucky to have been able to meet him.  Sophia was especially proud to be able to hold him first,

while I just had to standby and Alexandra reminded Philip how cute she is and then the parents took over, and Annie & Jon shared their joy We were just so thrilled to be part of his introduction to people in his life.  Thanks for sharing Benjamin with us!!

xx

Future Choir Girl

One of Sophia’s most favorite places is the sanctuary of the American Cathedral in Paris. She has explored almost all of the nooks & crannies, and one of her favorite things to do is laps around it after mass.

This past Sunday, after doing her laps, Sophia found a quiet pew, and decided to sing. Quietly at first, then with growing confidence she moved out of the pew into the center aisle and proceeded to “read” the music from the service book. Definitely a future little choir girl…

Happy Easter!

Which one can I start with? Can I really have CHOCOLATE for breakfast? What kind of a great holiday is this?

YEA! CHOCOLATE!!
All dressed up & ready to go to church.

The Zs after Easter service in the Dean's garden at the American Cathedral.

Movie Night at the Cathedral

So tonight we had one of those amazing Paris experiences – which of course I had to share with you. We had been back in Paris for two days and our friends at the American Cathedral invited us to movie night at the cathedral with four of our favorite couples in the world. We shared great conversations about everything from Shakespeare to baby seats. Our group included the American Cathedral Curate, 2 attorneys, an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development representative (OECD – an offshoot of the Marshal Plan), the Cathedral organist, and some funny looking guy from Microsoft (wait that’s me).

Honestly, I was quite confused. I thought we were watching the 80s film Vision Quest, the one with Laudin Swain (played by Mathew Modine in Spokane, Washington) where he takes on Shoot (apparently, you’re tougher in 80’s films if you have only one name) for the state wresting championship. It turned out that the movie was Galaxy Quest, an off beat comedy starring Tim “Tool time” Taylor, Sigorney Weaver and Jeremy Irons. The Star Trek like cast is mistaken for real space travelers from a bunch of Aliens, and they are forced into some sort of save the world situation.

I’d say all in all, it was a fine use of the audio visual tools of the American Cathedral, as well as use of the courtyard – although I have to imagine all the trendy Champs Elysees passers by on their way to the club thought it was cool too, at least the view from the street. For us, inside, we ended up glancing up at the lit Cathedral spire (I’m told the highest in Paris) and watching the planes cross high above, and simply wonder – “Who do we think we are…”

Well, we return to the Cathedral in a few weeks for the annual 80’s barbecue – where it all started for us at the Cathedral. Go Banana-rama and Depeche Mode!

Easter at the American Cathedral, Paris.

Easter at the American Cathedral, Paris.

Sundays in Paris

Sophia over looking the Dean's garden at the Cathedral. She keeps looking for kitty cats! Apparently there is one in the tower...


Sophia & Troy on our way home thru Trocadero. She is one tired little girl after all of the play she does in the nursery.
Sometimes there are actually people swimming in the fountain!

Sundays are becoming great family days for us in Paris. We usually attend mass at the American Cathedral, and then a walk home by the park at Trocadero, just to look at the Eiffel Tower & enjoy the sunshine a bit, before heading back to the apartment for naps. It is a lazy, wonderful day, and we hope this pace continues.

The Cathedral has been a great entry into Paris & a community for us. Ideally, we would like to attend a French church. However, understanding the service is pretty important to us, and we have been so impressed with the homilies, and the friendliness of everyone in the parish. There seems to be a lot of couples our age, it helps they have a young priest who is heading up a 20s/30s group, and they have a nursery where Sophia can go & play while Troy & I have a date, at church.

Sundays are also so lazy because there is nothing open that doesn't revolve around food! The corner markets are still there, ready with plastic glasses, cheese, & a wine opener for impromptu picnic. Of course we still have 2 bakeries to choose from, by law there must be a bakery open every day of the year within a certain distance from each other. We are trying out all of the bakeries in our neighborhood. So far they are all good, but I'm sure we will start picking favorites soon!