Paris, France: Musee D’Orsay

When discussing the topic of art and Paris as one, automatically people think of “The Louvre” granted, the Louvre is an amazing place.  Though, today, I would like to switch it up a little and focus on a gallery that is not quite as known as the Louvre.  I am speaking of the “Musee d’Orsay”.

Musee d’Orsay exhibits the works of mainly French art, featuring the most extensive displays of Impressionist art.  You will find the works of Paul Gauguin, Paul Cezanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, my personal favourites: Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as many other amazing works dated from 1848-1915.

The Musee d’Orsay is located within fairly close proximity to the Louvre, just across the water (Seine River) as a matter of fact, and within walking distance.  One can purchase a pass to visit both galleries, all the more reason to visit Paris again and again and again.

So, the next time you are enjoying a croissant and cafe au lait, or sipping on a French wine at one of the many cafe’s along the streets of Paris, remember to take a special trip over to the Musee d’Orsay, so you too can say, you’ve been there, done that!

 

Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada.

Such a special and magical place, situated off the coast of downtown Vancouver.  Stanley Park has housed 1000’s of raccoons and lil squirrel guys over the years.  A place where adventures thrive in abundance from the seawall, to Eagles soaring with pride, the trails have been marked by many dogs, the Mermaid glances your way every single time you look her in the eye (kind of eerie), the Lions Gate Bridge under where many cruise ships pass by annually, second beach – home to the swimming pool where many Vancouverites spent their childhood guiding their siblings to the pool.  Stanley Park is also home to English Bay- a beach that is second to none.  It’s the place where many visitors and residents have stopped to sit at one of the benches on the beach to enjoy fish and chips or a sushi lunch, perhaps, you’re admiring the waves of the ocean and sitting in quiet contemplation.  English Bay, where many flee to every year to watch International fireworks displays, to dance at the annual gay pride parade, and it’s also the place where many of us have literally jumped into the Pacific Ocean on New Years’ Day for the famous Polar Bear swim.

Stanley Park is a historical Vancouver monument, a great part of the natural heritage and community vibes of Vancouver, British Columbia.  Between the yacht club, totem poles, and famous tea house, artist works in the summer time, accompanied by musicians, and lush gardens.  We can’t forget about Lost Lagoon now can we… I don’t know about you, but, when we were kids, lost lagoon still froze in the winter, while many went ice skating with their families.  I wonder if the people who named Lost Lagoon got lost around it looking for some other part of Stanley Park as I myself, have done many, many times over the years.  One could go on forever talking about the beauty and things to do.  There’s the hollow tree, double seater bicycles, train rides, seasonal displays, there is just too much to list here, you’ll just need to come and explore it for your own self.

Written by: Jo Martinez