Paris: Aug 22-26, 2019

I visited Paris for the first time in about 10 years. The city was attractive as before. I found many changes as well as unchanged fun there.

Popular tourist spots

Major tourist spots, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile (Triumphal Arch of the Star) and the Ave. Champs-Élysées, were full of visitors. (See the three photos from the top) 

Such places have introduced admission control systems.

The Eiffel Tower is now surrounded by a set of plastic boards. Visitors can enter the tower only from entrance gates.

It is now necessary to make a booking to enter the Louvre.

The Notre-Dame, which had a fire in April this year, was under restoration works. I found construction machines at the side of the building. The stained-glass windows were all black.

New trends

I saw many electronic scooters (kick boards) running in the city. Most of them were operated under ride-share systems. The service was introduced last year.

I found LGBT bars in the Marais district. The zebra crosses, which were near one of such bars, were decorated with rainbow-color lines. It looked that social acceptance for the sexual minority was increasing.

I visited some open-air markets. Many shops stressed eco-friendly goods.

Conflicts and peace

I visited the HQs of Charlie Hebdo, which suffered a terrorist attack in Jan. 2015. 

“The place of expression freedom” was painted on the wall.

I also visited the Bataclan Theater, one of the places of November 2015 Paris attacks.

The records and memories of the terrorism remain. Both sites are near the Bastille Square.

In the Louvre, visitors enjoyed the drawings and sculptures at the side of such masterpieces. Kids were drawing their pictures in the aisles.

The scenes looked undoubtfully peace.

Enthusiasm and neglect

Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was unbelievably popular in the Louvre. People made a queue of hundreds of meters (in my observation) to see the picture. Security guards controlled the visitors mechanically. (See also the 4th photo)

The Venus of Milo was also attracting people.

Victoire de Samothrace (Winged Victory) was also popular.

Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People,” too.

Few people stopped their walks in front of some of masterpieces, such as Ingres’ Grand Odalisque.

It was too extreme, I felt.

And more

I enjoyed many other places.

There are countless masterpieces in the Orsay museum.

Édouard Manet’s “The Luncheon on the Grass” is always controversial.

I walked St. Germain de Pres and Quarter Latin areas.

Les Deux Magots café reminded us of the mind of philosophy. 

Foucault's pendulum was moving in the Pantheon. 

I also enjoyed a show at Moulin Rouge in Montmartre.

There are so many things to talk about in Paris.

Rome: August 19-22, 2019

I visited Rome for the first time in about 25 years.

I found many changes such as the Termini Station, the booking system of many tourist spots, and improved taxi services. Still, the overwhelming existence of historical has never changed.

I walked classic visiting places during my stay.

(1) Foro Romano (Roman Forum) : It was the center of Rome around 2000 years ago. The ruins of basilicas (meeting facilities), temples and columns remain.

It still locates in the center of the city.

(See also the 2nd photo)

(2) Colosseo: It stands in the south of Foro Romano. As many as 50000 people could gather here in the Roman era. The fights of the gladiators were held here. 

Roman Empire provided people “bread and circuses” to suppress their dissatisfaction. Colosso was used for that purpose. (See also the top photo)

(3) Fori Imperali: Roman leaders and emperors built new forums near Foro Romana. They include forums of Caesar and Trajanus.    

(4) Capitoline Hill: It locates near Foro Romano. There is a piazza (city square) on the top of the hill. The replica of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on a horse is placed in the piazza. The Capitolini Museum stands at the side of the piazza. The Treaty of Rome, which established EEC (predecessor of EU), was signed here.

(5) Vatican: St. Peter’s Basilica was crowded with many visitors. (See also the 4th photo)

In addition to my walk inside the St. Peter’s Basilica, I climbed up the round roof (cupola). This is a scene of San Pietro Piazza from the roof.

(6) Vatican Museum: There are many masterpieces in the museum. They include:

 “The School of Athens” drawn by Raphael.

Laocoön and His Sons

It is prohibited to take photos in the Sistine Chapel

(7) Trevi Fountain: The fountain was surrounded by many people. I found many policemen around the fountain to keep security. (See also the 3rd photo)

(8) Spanish Steps: Sitting in the steps was banned in 2019. I found many people sitting at the Fountain of the Boat instead of the steps.

There are many high-brand shops along the Condotti street, which goes west from the Spanish steps.

Italian polotics:  Prime Minister Conte announced his resignation on August 20, when I was in Rome. His announcement was made as political conflicts in the coalition government – between the populist Five Star Movement and the right wing League – intensified. President Mattarella began talks with the party leaders to form new administration (or to dissolve the parliament).

Journalists and camera crews were waiting politicians coming out in front of the President’s office near the Fountain of Trevi.

The Prime Minister’s office locates around the Piazza Colonna. The column of Marcus Aurelius stands in the piazza.