Thought Controlled Computing

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Sacre Coeur - The Blizzard

The story of the blizzard is told in the post just prior to this one, but I wanted to show you more photos of what it was like before and after the "wish candle" that was lit inside of Sacre Coeur.

We are at street level looking up at the basilica.

Ladee + Basilica + teeny prayer = chaotic blizzard (oops)

The day started off innocent enough. We decided that we were going to Sacre Coeur as neither of us had seen it. We strategized our Metro route, enjoyed breakfast and coffee at the apartment, bundled up and off we went.  The weather was a light freezing rain, so up went the umbrellas to keep us somewhat dry.

The Metro ride went off without a hitch, changing staions, hiking up and down steps (oops, wrong side of the tracks) but we arrived in Montmartre in good spirits.  We walked up the little hill to the bottom of Sacre Coeur steps and looked up.  Nope, not going to "Rocky" tackle these steps today, so we decided to ride the Funicular (Pittsburgh folks, think incline).  We had bought a bundle of ten Metro tickets earlier so we skipped the purchase line and queued for the ride. Only one was running, because they were blowing the leaves off of the other track.  Sun City must have brought a multi-lingual bus tour because all of the little old ladies were pushing and shoving to get to the best view (windows were steamy, so I have no idea what they think they were going to see). 


The Funicular (instead of steps!!)

Rome, Italy - Church - Ignazio Di Loyola - Rome

There was one more Church in the area that we needed to see. I had to add this picture of the street and the parking.  It's all to scale.  Little streets lined with little cars.  SUVs just wouldn't make it down the street.

This is an interesting example of what happens to a project when the money runs out.

Little streets and little cars...jammed in.

Rome, Italy - More Michelangelo - Basilica di Saint Maria Sopra Minerva - Rome

This was inside one of the three Churches that we visited on Saturday, December 4.  This Christ with a Cross is done by Michelangelo.  The thing that looks like a scarf blew up from the street and caught on his leg was added later by others.  I've also included some photos of the Church.  As Ginan had told me, every church has some great work of art, and there are over 400 Churches in Rome.

Christ by Michelangelo

Christ by Michelangelo

The ceiling

View of the Altar from the back of the Church

Sign about the Church.

Rome, Italy - Trattoria Antonio

We found the restaurant on the last day in Rome...go figure.  We were walking around the city, looking for a new undiscovered place to eat lunch.  The street we were on had restaurants with the waiters at street side, inviting you in, giving you deals and discounts. We read (Rick Steves) to avoid these places and look for the ones filled with locals.  Trattoria Antonio was it.  We think that we were the only non-Italians in this crowded little restaurant. The food was incredible.  I didn't get an itemized bill, but the total came to 86€ plus tip, so we spent about 21,50 € each.

The entrance...no one standing outside begging us to enter.

Ristorante Antonio
Garbini S.a.S
Via Dei Pastini, 12 Roma
Tel: 06/67.90.798

Penne Bologna. Yes, also wine and bread. (Ladee)

Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Kalen and Karl)

Pasta Carbonara (Sara)

Wide pasta noodles with meat slices and yummy sauce. (Kalen and Karl)

It was a good meal in a small family owned trattoria.

AND, to my amazement, the owner Papa cut the prosciutto right at tableside. In fact, he moved that ham bone around as he needed it. He would cut a few pieces off, and then put it on the plate.

Rome, Italy - Tazza D'Oro - Authentic Coffee Bar in Rome

From December 4, Saturday in Rome

This is a true coffee bar in Rome.  We had finished a nice lunch and Kalen/Sara/Karl headed to this place (they found it the day before).  You pay for your order and get a receipt, then go to the barrista and he makes the beverage. It was crowded and wonderful!

Pannatone wrapped to go

Kalen pays for the drinks

We move to the stand up bar for the drinks

Espressos all around

Tazza D'Oro - the front of the coffee bar

Versaille (France) - Snowy Garden

December 2010 - I was delighted to be able to see the fountains and grounds in the winter.  The air was crisp and the snow slightly slushy.

We took the train from Paris to Versailles.  The chateau is fairly close and an easy walk through town.  This is the wide street leading up to the front grounds.

Snow and Versailles

Today's plan: take the train to Versailled to photograph the gardens in the winter.
My Prayer: Please cover the gardens with a dusting of snow.
The result: SNOW!!!  Yea!!!

The morning started with this scene outside the apartment balcony window.  I was so giggly excited because I figured if it was snowing (and melting) in the city, the outskirts would have a nice dusting.  (See the video below.)

We stopped by the boulangerie (note that the shop has been renovated and has a 3 week new owner...yes, I quizzed him on all of this) to buy some nice pastries for the train ride, then went to the Metro station and bought two tickets each, one to go to Versailles and the other to return (6 euros total).  We had no issues with the ticket vending machine and didn't have to step out of line to let others pass once. Woo hoo!! Getting better at this all the time.  We took the #4 line to Saint Michel station, then found the train "RER B" and we were off.  We ate chocolate croissants, Swiss broche with chocolate in it, and an orange thing...whatever!, looked and tasted good.  The trained arrived at Versailles in about 45 minutes and we were on our way.

The grounds were covered with snow, with slushy areas where people walk.  No crowds and no vendors selling plastic Eiffel Tower key chains.  I asked one of the workers (yes...in French) which entrance we use to see just the gardens, not inside the chateau. And he answered in French (clearly indicating to me that he understood my French...yippee!!).  AND I understood the answer. We headed to the left of the building through a walkway...and the white dusted wonderland opened up before us.  I took a lot of photos on the "big" camera, and will need to convert them to web photos when I return home. But here is me, happy, with the Versailles Gardens sprawling in the background, dusted with snow.  Yes, I have on one glove...because someone else did not bring gloves and has not yet purchased a pair of French gloves.

We ate at a little pizza restaurant, which I wouldn't recommend.  It is in one of the little plazas on the walk from the train station to the Chateau.  Chez Cesar was our second choice, because the restaurant with the crepes was closed.  Karl had Soupe Minestrone for 6.50€, I had pasta, Pates a la Bolognese for 11.50€, and we both had a glass of Bordeaux for 3.80€ each. 

Dinner tonight was purchased at the local shops.  We bought four different types of cheeses, a baguette from Eric Kaiser Bakery, some raspberries from the fruit stand (I was holding one container for 3 euro when the shopkeeper told me to take 3 containers for only 5 euro...cool!)  ...oh, then he showed me the sign...Thank God for the friendly French. We also bought avacados, oranges, and some olives (hang over from Roma).  Karl returned to the boulangerie to get pastries for the morning and I went to Stohrer's for dessert, something touille, and baba au rhum.  Did I tell you that the baba au rhum was invented at Stohrer's? This shop has become the new Vatican for Karl.  I shared a little chat with the workers (Am I on vacation? Does the camera hanging around my neck give my secret away?)  and headed for home.  Because I was walking by myself, I was easy distracted by a chocolate shop.  BONJOUR! I said as I entered.  "I need some chocolate!".  So we discussed, and tasted my options. I was very indecisive and had to test several. I then purchased a slab of carmel chocolate and a slab of dark chocolate with nuts and other miscellaneous things in it.  VERY good, of course.

Here are photos of the chocolate. Notice that that slab is very thin. I think that this is done to allow zero space for calories. Those French are so clever.  I don't know if I'll be able to bring any of this home.  There seems to be less and less every time I open the bag to look at it.

Hot Chocolate at Angelina's

This was thick and tasty. The whipped cream floated on top. There was enough in the pitcher for us to have two cups each. What a treat.