Paris, Paris… You were so good to me…
And this post is the evidence!
I put together here a few of the many things I did there… Only to make me want so bad to go back…
Miss it so much…
Ready to experience Paris with me?
Shall we?
A friend of mine recommended I bought the Carte Musée et Monuments, a pass that can be used in 65 museums and monuments around the city. You can buy a 2, 4 or 6-day pass! I had too little time, so it wasn’t worth it. But if you’re interested, all things concerning the pass can be found HERE!
It’s tempting to be able to go in and out of the museums as you like, right? To be able to break the Louvre program into smaller visits, for example, so it’s less exhausting. Not to mention not needing to be in line to buy tickets. (#drama)
Anyway, I’ll try it on my next time (with more time on my hands, I hope)!
But I’ll leave Louvre for the next item. Let’s focus on the other many museums Paris can offer:
Musée d’Orsay: I think it’s my favorite in Paris. The main impressionist pieces are there. A sea of Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Degas… A must-go!
Not to mention the place is beautiful… Full of people on the outside, some musicians playing on the sidewalk… Delightful.
Pompidou: I’ve read they host more tourists than the Eiffel tower. It’s worth seeing just for the beauty of the façade. Makes for incredible pictures and it’s a go-to for architecture lovers. Oh, there’s a restaurant called Georges on the top floor (I haven’t been there, but I mentioned it here!), which has the most amazing view.
Musée Rodin: All the main Rodin pieces are there, some of them in a beautiful garden outdoors. So, so gorgeous. And you can even see a room dedicated to pieces by Camille Claudel and some Monet paintings, all from Rodin’s personal collection.
Grand Palais: It’s a convention center, but there are always great exhibitions! Just check the program!
THE ONES I MISSED:
Picasso Museum which was closed for restoration. Reopens on 10/25. Palais de Tokyo, which is only contemporary art, super cool. And Musée de l’Orangerie, at the Tulleries Garden, right behind the Louvre.
If there’s a garden and a museum in the same place, I’ll be there!
One of those mandatory activities. Thought of Paris? Thought of Louvre. Thought of the Monalisa. On the way to the museum there’s the beautiful Pont des Arts. I just love that bridge. Couples go there to seal their love with lockers. There are so many lockers that some pieces by the side of the bridge are loosening up. They even had to put some wood blocks to hold it. Too bad!
Now the mandatory tourist attraction: walk around the bridge (if your significant other is with you, bring your lockers! Nothing more romantic than coming back years later with the same person and look for the locker!) and then Louvre to the cultural activities. Take your time. Be patient. If you have the unlimited pass, I even recommend you split into more days, because, I don’t know about you, but I kind of zone out after a while… Anyway, two mandatory spots!
Another super instagram-friendly postcard!
I LOVE walking around that place… In fact, I love the tower. Just can’t get used to it, you know? By foot or by cab, in the morning, afternoon or evening, every time I see it I fall for it. When I’m back, the camera roll is always filled with photos and videos of the tower.
And I really enjoy grabbing some wine with some friends, lay a towel on the lawn and chill out while watching the sunset. Just love it!
I never got to the top, ‘cause the line is a total bummer. But it’s probably worth it, right?
Maybe some day…
This is for the shopping addicts! My go-to schedule is the Grand Palais (when there’s an exhibit I want to see), then I walk Champs Elysées (it’s an avenue full of tourists and endless shops) until the Arch of Triumph. I stop for lunch at L’Entrecôte on the way. And that’s it!
Just be prepared to run into a bunch of tourists!
It’s the largest public park in Paris. Think of a huge, gorgeous garden, all decorated with an even more gorgeous collection of statues. Breathtaking! Great for picnic and sunset too!
I didn’t make it this time… It was my last-day program but some things came up and I ended up missing it.
Too bad!
Montmartre is my favorite spot in Paris! I simply love it! Charming little streets in a pretty bohemian borough, full of local restaurants, street vendors and artists drawing caricatures at every corner.
I usually walk by Sacré-Cœur (Basílica of the Sacred Heart) before, to thank for life, take some pictures of the view (it’s really gorgeous! A bunch of people on the steps and a guy who’s always there performing his little show with a soccer ball, which is awesome!) and then go up to the little streets.
Walk around, have dinner, eat a crêpe, have some wine!
So good… Wanna go back so bad!
One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France, according to Mr. Google! Surrounded by the River Seine, another great opportunity to thank for being able to travel to such a special place!
Not to mention it’s so, so beautiful…
Also, there’s a Shakespeare and Company close by. The first English bookstore in Paris. Hemingway, Fitzgerald, amongst other writers used to go there, where several events took place! Worth the visit!
Also, walk around the area – there’s so much to see!
I say it’s their Soho. Thousands of shops, cafés, restaurants… So just walk around. Get lost amid the streets. There is a bunch of art galleries around as well. Vintage shops. And cool people. It’s definitely where the cool people are. So take a whole day to see the Marais and enjoy!
Same here! Walk, walk and walk. I guess it’s a less cool, fancier Marais? Paris people please correct me if I’m wrong. I don’t know, I just have that feeling. But that’s it: wander around the streets and find your favorite corners!
I LOVED this park! Didn’t know it. Lots of little caves around, some (mini) waterfalls even! It’s not huge… It’s actually cozy, you know? The sports crowd running around, some (few) tourists, since it’s not a cliché, more of a cool crowd. No group trip, you know? And there’s Rosa Bonheur for happy hour by the park. Amazing!
I guess that’s what Paris is all about: finding your favorite spots.
I mean, it’s all beautiful, super photogenic, looking like a movie location. People are always elegant. Makes you feel like it’s all planned to the tiniest details. You just have to set your daily program and always spare some hours to discover the surroundings. Stuff that’s not obvious. That no one mentioned. But that made some sense to you and you felt like trying. So you can create your own list! Of the good things you experienced and feel like sharing!
I hope that by reading this you can enjoy at least a small bit of what I enjoyed there…
Special moments!
And let’s go on exchanging information through the comment section! I want to hear from those who followed the tips, if you thought it was worth it (I LOVE when you write from somewhere around the world telling you’ve been following my tips! Just love it! I’m so happy!), also if you have anything else to share, make yourself at home! Just leave a comment.
That way, the small list gets bigger and we can have Paris in our hands when we’re there…
That’s the idea!
Keeping my promise!
I had a pretty agitated nightlife during this season in Paris!
So our Top 10 Restaurants was a bit extended this time…
An addendum post with tips for those who enjoy a post-dinner cocktail! Or just sitting down and having a glass of wine while watching the sunset. Or just people watching a bit!
Let’s go!
We went just for some appetizers by the end of our day at Marais. This is where the John Galliano career-blowing anti-semitic incident took place, remember that?
I just LOVED this place. Tables outside yet again. Pick a well-placed one and watch all the cool, beautiful people walking around.
If you’re as lucky as we were, besides watching the beautiful crowd walking by, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful faces at the restaurant as well! Must go!
There are two Rosa Bonheur in town. One on a boat and one at the park. The boat one is brand new and by the river. Must be pretty awesome! But I went to the park, which was one of the places I really wanted to see!
Pretty great happy hour action going on. Lots of benches outdoors and a bunch of people drinking and chatting. Not to mention the breathtaking view from the park. Take an afternoon with your friends, order a bottle of wine and enjoy. If you can do it by sunset, even better!
It’s located at Kenzo’s rooftop. I had it recommended for dinner. Contemporary cuisine, pretty lively. I went straight from the Beyoncé concert and the kitchen was closed already. But the hostess said we should check out the club, which was open until 3am. The door was promising, full of beautiful people outside. We decided to give it a shot…
We ate in a Mc Donald’s around the corner, which was open ‘til 1am (yeah, I know) and then went up Kong for cocktails. I don’t know if it was pure luck (that stuff happens, the place is at its best the exact day you’re there), but I really enjoyed it! I say luck because when I mentioned to a friend that I’d been there she said it was kind of outdated. That it used to be better a while ago… That nowadays it works better as a restaurant.
I didn’t eat there so I don’t have an opinion. People say this place, along with Georges (on top of the Pompidou!) are two mandatory tourist attractions, since both offer amazing views of the city. And are pretty hyped up. Dinner for tourists, really. But I have no idea! I’m a total tourist in Paris. But my experience at Kong for cocktails was pretty positive!
I must confess I didn’t even see the view – the doors and windows were closed and it was too crowded – but I saw a whole lot of beautiful French people, listened to some good music and had a great time! I’d definitely give it another shot!
MISSED…
Same as Nanashi and Derriere, which I mentioned at the restaurant post. My top 3 can’t-believe-I-missed it! All my friends recommended it. But I waited, waited, and, when I saw, there was no time left to go there.
Same thing that happened with Nanashi. It was never on our way. So we missed it. Apparently they have tacos when you get in, so you can start from there. Then, you open the back door at the taqueria and get to Candelaria. Like a secret passage!
I was told there I could find the best drinks in town.
If any of you go there before I do, please tell me!
You don’t have to know me that well to know my favorite thing to do is to have wine by sunset, right?
And that’s why a friend gave me those two tips… Two rooftop bars with amazing views for sunset at Marais.
Didn’t happen… Not enough time! Another two places for the next-time list!
So many good things I enjoyed during those days there…
Can I just go back and start it all over?
Eat, eat and eat! Gosh! Guess that’s what I did the most in this city. I had with me two friends who love eating as much as I do so we really splurged…
I’ve told you here about my good-restaurant-madness when I’m traveling, haven’t I? And that’s exactly what I did this time! I asked four friends for a list of their favorite spots: one, female, my age, kind of hipster, alternative, who lived there for a year; a male friend, a little older, who masters the travel subject and is a Paris lover; a younger friend, who moved to Paris on the winter and enjoys fancier places; and a friend who’s a model, has lived there for years now and has all the insider tips. So, yeah, a real mix. Then I compared all four lists.
I went for all those recommended more than once. If it was good enough for the foodie and the hype hunter, it became mandatory! So that was my motto… I ranked the places by how many times they were mentioned (some of them made it to virtually all lists). Went to some places that were closer to where I was that day and some others didn’t make it to any of the lists, but I passed by and felt like going in.
I guess that’s important too, being open to creating your own Paris… It’s good to have a program, but it’s also great to let the city lead you… Take chances. Anyway…
Now, off to my list of ingested calories on this trip! Ready?
A bit of everything I ate in a week at the City of Lights:
It made it to three out of the four lists. Everyone is talking about this place. A friend told me he’s ran into Rihanna and Gisele around. It’s at Avenue Montaigne, always open. I went to try it first thing. And I didn’t have a good experience… The place is super delightful, on a corner, super charming. We sat outside and people watching is part of the experience. But I found it too pricey for some less-than-ok, cold pasta. Yes, I ordered a pasta dish that was ice cold on the inside. Something like heated-at-home-in-a-half-baked-microwave. So, I guess I was out of luck.
And the people were in a completely see-and-be-seen vibe, all dressed up for lunch, completely ordinary food and pretty pricey. About 80 euro per person, without drinks! Not my best pick!
Another one where I was VERY unfortunate! Wouldn’t go back… Because if I’m disappointed once, it’s very hard to make me go back… But it made it to one of the lists I had, as well as to my travel companion’s list, as recommended by her sister, who’s lived there. So off we went. It appears to be the pick for a shopping day at St Honoré, since it’s quick, good food, and it’s on the way. The “quick” and “middle of the way” parts were true. As for the “good”…
I ordered a Croque-Monsieur that arrived looking no better than an old ham and cheese sandwich. Hard to cut. Hard to eat. Almost didn’t taste the cheese. Terrible impression!
My friends who ordered salad enjoyed it though!
So, if you try it, tell me if you think it’s worth another shot!
Know that restaurant I mentioned a thousand times? That has an only dish? Steak with a heavenly sauce and fries? So, this is the original… And maybe that’s why I felt like it’s better than the others! Love it!
Another one from the rich and famous list. I went to try it the day I was walking around Saint Germain. But we didn’t have reservations so we had to wait a bit. They told us the kitchen had too many orders, that we could sit, have a drink and order in half an hour. They offered us an amazing table by the balcony, and it sounded really really good, but I honestly wasn’t up to it. It was the day of Beyoncé’s concert. And it didn’t want to waste another half hour in Saint Germain.
We moved to Cafe de Flore. Right next to it. Our idea from the start was to go there for dessert or a glass of wine after lunch. It was also on the list! But we ended up going for lunch there!
I had been there already, at my first time in Paris. Loved it. I’d read that it was Sartre’s favorite spot in town. That he used to spend his days at the tables outside. So it was one of the first places I tried. And this time I brought my friends to try it too!
I tried another Croque-Monsieur to erase the bad impression left by the one Le Castiglione Cafe and it worked. I was served a delicious Croque, with loads of melted cheese, the way it should be.
It’s always packed (tourist spot, that’s it) and the tables are pretty close to each other. So you almost touch the other people while you eat.
Try to get a table outside, order a glass of wine and do some people watching!
One of my friends and travel companions is mad about truffles. She got to Paris talking about this place. I love it too. But it’s far from being one of my favorites… I always prefer the more local, less touristy spots. But we went to check it out anyway.
Good. Everything with truffles. Has a great market to buy olive oil, cheese and a bunch of truffled spices and take them home with you. But it’s more of a traditional restaurant, older crowd, more silent. Good for the truffle lovers. Go there to eat, and that’s it!
This one made it to three of the four lists! I also suggest you get a table outside (always!) to people watch. It’s at the Marais. Coolest-borough-of-all. I’ll talk more about it in our Top 10 Things to do.
Delicious. Pretty good french food. I had a delicious Caprese and a pretty good Entrecôte too!
A friend who lives in Paris told me they had the best burger in town and churros for dessert. Do you need any more reasons to try it? I don’t!
We went there on our first day – it was right by the hotel. But it was closed. They’re open on weekends only. From 1:15 p.m. We got there on Saturday (no reservations) at 1 pm. And there was a line at the door. Small line, but still. We stayed in line and got a table the moment the doors opened. But I barely could believe how packed it is the moment it opens. And still, people outside. I didn’t know it was that hyped up…
The restaurant is tiny. The decoration is super, super cute. You feel like you’re at an antique shop. Full of antiques, pictures and rare objects everywhere. At the table next to ours were Sofia Coppola, her mom, boyfriend and daughter. That equals hyped up place.
Then I find out that during fashion week you can’t eat anywhere without reservations, you practically have to elbow your way to the table since it’s all always packed. So we were pretty lucky. We got a seat the moment it opened. But, ok, when we were having the last bite of churros the owner was already by our table politely inviting us to leave due to the long line outside. That’s life…
Their Cheeseburger is unbelievably good indeed. There’s this sauce I can’t explain very well why it’s so special. I don’t know if it’s the best in town since I don’t know much around. I’ll leave that for the experts. But it is definitely a delicious sandwich! And the churros… Well, we ordered a second portion (of six!). Don’t have to say much, right?
Amazing restaurant. Also pricey. But it was worth every euro! We sat by this delightful patio, the waiters and waitresses looked like they just got out of a model casting, pretty well-lit and delicious food.
We went for a late lunch on our first day. Like 6:30 pm. Time not for lunch nor dinner, you know? That’s why I think we got a seat so easily without reservations. And we stayed there for a long time and by 7:30/8 pm it started livening up. The natural lights were replaced by candles. And a small waiting line started to form outside. Beautiful people only. And out burrata + pasta combo was special!
Loved that restaurant! We went for dinner. No reservations. But we sure smiled a lot for the guy at the door and he only had us wait about five minutes at the bar. Sweet.
Pretty cool decoration! There’s a giant yellow doll crossing the restaurant’s two floors. It starts on the first floor, but, to see from the waist up you have to take the stairs. Super instagram-friendly!
We ordered salmon, following a friend’s recommendation (HERE!) and we really, really enjoyed! Best salmon I’ve ever had!
Amazing cheesecake for dessert. Beautiful people only. There’s some music playing, they have a DJ at the restaurant and the later it gets, the louder it gets. Amazing! All amazing! A must go!
MISSED IT…
Now the list of the places I didn’t make it to and felt so bad… Six days is too little time for all there’s to do AND eat!
I’ll list them anyway, so I can also come back here and not miss it again the next time!
There you go:
This one made it to ALL of my lists. All of them! We went there on our last day and, when we arrived, the kitchen was closed. Can you imagine how inconsolable I was? So disappointing…
I didn’t eat, but I got there to see it and it’s awesome! It’s a house. With all the rooms. Super cool decoration. Then you pick where you want to eat: on the bed, on the ping pong table, on the study desk, on the couch… It’s so, so cool.
And at night it appears to be cooler than at lunch. Pati Bonaldi suggested we had dinner there. Said she heard it was super lively and turns into a little party… That a bunch of friends recommended it to her. Missed it so bad!
Now I have a reason good enough to go back!
Another one that made it to ALL the lists. We had that must-go list and searched on google maps the ones that were closer to us. And Nanashi was always far. Didn’t fit in our schedule, I guess. Another one Pati mentioned. She arrived in Paris talking about these both. And both were in all the lists and I left behind… Bummer.
Oh, apparently it’s a healthy food spot (let’s hear it for the green juice crowd!) full of cool, beautiful people around. Super hype. So if you’re in Paris before I go back, please go! And tell us afterwards!
Phew!
Was I able to convey how much I ate in Paris?
And I didn’t include some 3 or 4 spots I went just for cocktails – and loved! But I’ll list them in another post. So I won’t overwhelm you with all that information!
Thank you, Paris!
For all the calories ingested.
I’d do it all over again…
I did my first Top 10 (which turned into a Top 15!) restaurants in New York by the end of last year. It’s funny that for the first one and a half years of this website I’ve just been to Europe. Almost didn’t mention nyc here. I only did that last fall, when I spent 10 days there (and decided I should stay for a longer while in the city) and did the Top 10 things to do and the Top 15 restaurants at the concrete jungle. 15 restaurants in 10 days. Good enough for you guys?
Can you imagine how it’s been now? That I’ve been spending a whole season here? The restaurants are endless… So I thought that each time I get to know another 10 new restaurants I should make another Top 10 for us. What do you think? Confusing? I guess not, right?
Or you’d rather I wrote one by one, just the best of the best? A less-is-more approach? Like what I’ve been doing with our #Restaurant tag, about Brazilian places? So I can hand you more details, menus, prices, pictures, and so on. What do you think? I’m not sure either if such detailed posts about such distant restaurants would be too exhausting. I don’t know. Will you help me?
You decide it and I’ll take it!
But while we don’t set this up, I’m bringing a whole new Top 10 with my new favorites. Ready?
Pretty hyped up, modern bistro! Perfect restaurant if you’re in for something bold. The menu is pretty exotic. Wanna try some rose petals? Pickled duck? Just go for it. You won’t find ordinary dishes at this place. And the food was delicious! Even if super exotic!
There’s also a small club downstairs which is pretty hard to get in, but it’s worth trying. Beautiful people and good music! Of all kinds!
CONTACT: acmenyc.com
Delightful place! It’s a hidden spot. In a dead-end street. You’ll never be just walking around and bump into it. You really have to look for it. It’s supercool. Dim lights. No-frills menu. I had a homemade-style chicken with spinach.
Also nice to try their Sunday brunch, which is delicious!
CONTACT: freemansrestaurant.com
You’ve had enough of me talking about L’Entrecôte here, right? Everywhere I go I look for one of those. It’s that restaurant where you arrive knowing exactly what you’re going to have, since they have an only dish: steak with some amazing sauce and fries. And they have one in nyc. Of course it had to make it to my list!
CONTACT: relaisdevenise.com/newyork/
Pretty well-known, hyped up restaurant. The fancier crowd (if you know what I mean) always stops by when in town. Since I see myself more as a part of the laid-back crowd (if you know what I mean as well), I had never been there. But one of those days a friend of mine who was in town suggested we went there and I loved it! The decoration is amazing. Perfect Italian spot. Wanna please me? Take me to an Italian place. The chances of going wrong are close to zero!
CONTACT: cipriani.com
This Japanese place won me over! Easily made its way as my favorite Japanese spot in town! Just love it. They have some divine spicy tuna and spicy lobster sushis! But it was their black cod that really got me. Some days I’ll catch myself craving it and I’ll stop by just for that fish. It’s really worth the visit!
Oh, and they’re open until 4am. Something hard to find in Manhattan. So just go!
Also, they have several locations around the city, and some aren’t even Japanese. So go for the SoHo (Sullivan street!) location!
CONTACT: blueribbonrestaurants.com
Do you enjoy some Mexican tacos? Labneh? Tabbouleh? Greek Salad? So get ready to treat yourself to some amazing food! They have two locations, one in Brooklyn and the other one on West Village, I think. I’ve only been to the Williamsburg (Brooklyn) location, a few times actually. About four times since I got here. You can see I loved it, right?
I always order a bunch of appetizers for the table, and don’t even get to order a main dish. Appetizers for everyone to share. Amazing! And for a great price! I don’t know if that’s because I only have appetizers – they’re US$ 5 each so even if you order two of each one they have (which are many!), it’s still pretty fair. Anyway. I’m always pretty satisfied with the food and even better when I get the check!
CONTACT: cafemogador.com
Now that’s a fancier spot. New and pretty hyped up. Large. Beautiful. With some amazing cocktails. Enjoy some spicy food? So get ready ‘cause they’re pretty serious about it around there! Love it! A good opportunity to take your heels to see some light, and don’t forget to book in advance to save spot.
CONTACT: toro-nyc.com
Nobu is another no-brainer, right? I’ve mentioned it at Top 10 Restaurants Los Angeles and Top 10 Restaurants London. Always mandatory, no matter where I am. Considered to be one of the best Japanese restaurants in town, the presentation of the dishes is always incredible. Just be ready for a pretty pricey bill! That’s everybody’s complaint.
CONTACT: noburestaurants.com/new-york/
A must-go for the Chinese food lovers! I’m a regular at the one in Rio and in nyc it couldn’t be different. I always go for their complete menu, where you get a bit of everything and basically have to untie your belt when you’re finished.
I must say it’s not one of the cheapest places in the city either!
CONTACT: mrchow.com
Amazing Italian, recommended by a friend, really got me. Pretty fair priced wine menu. Super cosy place, delicious and sophisticated food. Oh, and they have an olive oil tasting (I just love some bread with olive oil and salt as an appetizer) which is super worth it for those who enjoy it!
CONTACT: ilbuco.com
So far so good…
A bit of the many calories I have ingested since I arrived in town…
And the list goes on… I have another four places on hold to share with you. I’ll just wait for our decision: one by one? Or wait for the next six for another Top 10? What do you say? Huh?
My expectations about Scandal were way too high. Of all the titles you’ve recommended, this was the most popular. The one that appeared the most in the comments. Since my first post of this tag. And I have to say this right away: I dropped it halfway through.
Yeah… I swear. This is the first time I did that. I got to the middle of the second season and just got so bored… That’s it.
I started to watch it here in NY. The first season actually went by pretty fast. I went nuts with the romance between Pope and Mr. President. Maybe because I love to be in love… Because I enjoy some platonic love… I don’t know. What I know is that I memorized her well crafted responses to when something didn’t quite go the way she expected or when she had to swallow her pride. A love warrior… She masters the subject! I loved it!
And I guess it was his scarcer presence in the second season that made me lose my interest. I actually dropped it at the episode he appeared. I fell asleep in the middle of it, missed his comeback and never watched it again.
So, yeah…The magic’s gone. And I just don’t feel like having it back. Do you want to kill me? Make me go all the way? I’m expecting the telling-offs. Go ahead!
I didn’t fall for any of the characters either. Like Alex in Grey’s. Daniel in Revenge. But nothing in Scandal! No hot guys to make us sigh, right? Alright, I’ll admit Mr. President is charming his own way. But still… No big deal.
Now to the screenplay… Well written. Well crafted. But pretty soap opera-ish. I’ve just come from Homeland and Revenge, where each episode felt like the last one. You could never know if things were going the right way. Unreal. And Scandal has more of a Grey’s vibe. In case you don’t know, it’s by the same writer! But, in this case, no rush to keep watching. No “wow” feeling, right? Does anyone disagree?
Nothing against soap opera-ish though… Grey’s was the ultimate soap opera and I stayed up several nights watching it. I basically stopped living for three months, held hostage by the show. Because they had all the ingredients. It was overwhelming. And I guess here with Scandal something is missing… I don’t know…
Anyway… I found it a bit humdrum. Was I in the wrong mood or does anyone else think that?
So I started with another show…
And you won’t believe which one…
Extremely late, but Gabi Pugliesi convinced me that, while I’m in NY it’s a must-watch. She left me no choice. Told me to trust her and watch at least a bit. At least the first season. So I did it.
I started watching Gossip Girl this weekend. No, I had never seen a single episode. And yes, I know it’s old, it’s over actually, but I’m talking about it anyway.
I don’t even know how many seasons there are… Haven’t even seen it! I’m on the fifth or sixth episode of the first season. The only thing I know is that I always run into the babe who plays Nate at the nyc subway. I knew I’d seen his face, now I know exactly who he is!
I told a friend about that and she almost passed out. No kidding. I can see it’s Nate I’m falling for, right? That’s good… Hot guy: check!
I’ll come back to tell you what my impressions were!
How about you? What have you been watching?
It only takes a one hour and 20-minute train ride from Manhattan to get to Dia:Beacon. Pretty close to the Hudson River, with over 240.000 square feet of outdoor and indoor areas. Contemporary art. A bunch of (incredible) artists I’d never heard of. After all, even if I’m an art lover, my knowledge of the subject is pretty shallow. All I know is to look at it, feel it, see if it gets to me. But don’t count on me for some super deep analysis, or to interpret an installation that consists solely in a thread hanging from the ceiling all the way to the floor. I’m not able to extract any poetry from that. I would spend hours and hours trying to decipher the hanging thread. It’s just a thread, right? No, Julia! It’s not…
I have a friend who’s an actual art connoisseur. She has a degree, masters, and, most important, passion! Everything makes much more sense when I’m with her. When I listen to her explanations. What’s behind the works. Haven’t you ever looked at a piece and thought “I could do that!”. Come on, admit it! I know everyone’s had that moment… At least once! And when you’re with someone who knows all about the artist, the work, the reasons behind all that, you feel really silly to have such a thought. When you listen to the explanation, it all makes sense.
Anyway… I knew almost nothing about their collection. Lots of minimalist stuff, that can easily bring up that my-nephew-could-easily-do-that feeling (not really, that’s what I learnt!), but also lots of grand stuff. I freaked out in our tour!
I loved it so much! I’d recommend it to everyone. Whether you enjoy art or not. And I’ll explain why.
First of all, you’ll arrive straight at this incredible garden. Large and beautiful. I recommend you bring a towel and some snacks (they have a cafeteria, but it’s always better to pack your own stuff) to enjoy yourself for a bit in the lawn before, after or during your visit.
Some people find it kind of boring to go on a date at the museum, but, in this case, it’s amazing!
The view from the train is breathtaking, it’s a pretty romantic trip. In fact, I recommend you sit at the left side, which overlooks the river! And then, once you’re there, the place has a pretty mysterious atmosphere. There were about three couples having picnics by the end of the day and I have to admit it got me a bit envious…
I mean, you’re coming all the way from Manhattan, spend an hour and a half on a train, so no rush to leave right? Just enjoy yourself…
Besides this entrance area there are also the inside gardens. But once you’re past the door, you can’t take any more pictures. It’s strictly forbidden. There are cameras everywhere so don’t even try to take your phone from your bag because someone will instantly show up to tell you off. Sad. So sad. But that’s how it works.
So all pictures from here on were taken from the internet, o.k.?
Some of my favorites:
I was there without my artsy know-it-all friend. But I had my eyes completely open and watchful so I could make my own judgement. At the end of the day, I guess what really counts is the emotions the pieces bring up.
Like if that stuff means something to you. Makes any sense. Provokes. Hypnotizes. And, even without a theoretical background, I was delighted with Dia:Beacon. I added a bunch of artists to my favorites list. Loads of things that made me want to learn more about it. To look up, try to understand better…
Amazing day! I’m definitely doing it again!
There’s another museum (outdoors, with incredible sculptures, where you can take pictures!) which is also an hour-ish away from NY, called Storm King. I saw some pictures and wanted to cry with all that beauty! It’s on my list! Everyone says it’s a must-go! I’ll come back with my impressions…
Now, about Dia:Beacon: go! With your friends, family, significant other…
I promise you won’t regret it!
Another TV series off my list!
OH-MY-GOD, did I love Revenge! I just, just loved it! From the bottom of my heart!
And it was you who recommended it to me! When I wrote about Grey’s Anatomy here I got a lot of comments with TV show recommendations to make me get over my abstinence syndrome. And Revenge was one of the top mentioned ones. So I started watching it right before I came to NY.
For those who haven’t seen it yet (start right away!), the show’s title is totally self-explanatory. Revenge is all you should expect. Forget about love stories, romance… Forget about all that! I actually had a hard time seeing the lead letting so many hot guys slip away because all she could think of was revenge.
I’m talking about Emily Thorne. Who’s actually Amanda Clarke but swaps her identity to get back at the people who destroyed her family and caused her father’s death.
No spoilers so far! It all happens in the first episodes. Her father goes to jail under false accusations of terrorism. He was sentenced to prison and murdered there. Amanda (who calls herself Emily since episode one!) spends her life between orphanages and reformatories. Then, when she turns 18, she’s released and receives her father’s inheritance: a box with all the notes e details about the people who ruined his life, along with a few million dollars. That’s it. Enough material for her to start planning her crazy revenge.
I LOVED the first season more than brigadeiro. It’s the best in my opinion. There are three of them so far. I think the reason why I love the first one so much (minor spoilers coming up!) is that she almost gets off track for getting involved with (babe alert!) Daniel. She slipped at that point. Her emotions almost got to her reason. And that’s how I roll. Super romantic. So I really wanted them to stay together for good. I swear. I’m totally team Daniel.
Then in the second season there’s Aiden (so boring! Absolutely nothing special about him. You said I’d go crazy with his accent and all… No chemistry at all between them), Amanda (equally dull) and some other characters.
This season was weak. Didn’t enjoy it… But the second half flowed better. And then, the third… Brought all my excitement back! I still think the first season is the best, but the third was pretty good as well. Because we are able to see the plot moving forward. We don’t feel stuck. It just flows. That’s how I like it.
I finished the third season yesterday and I’m DESPERATE about the fourth. God, how can I deal with it? Apparently it will be off on September 28 in the States and that’s all I can think of!
So here I am looking for another show to fill this hole Revenge left in my heart! There are some Grey’s episodes I haven’t seen but not even that appeals to me. It’s like I’m mourning!
Come back, Emilyyyyyy! Pleaseeee!
PS: It was just after I finished writing that I realized I didn’t mention Nolan! And I can’t leave it at that. He’s my favorite character. I wish so badly I could have have a Nolan to call my own. Jack was missing too, right? He’s incredible, oh-so-charming, but I really need him and Emily to get together soon so I can draw my conclusions. I think their time will come in the fourth season. Until there, I remain team Daniel. Even after they try to make him ugly and a super boring villain, I root for him and Emily to live happily ever after!
I tried to write this text about three times. It didn’t happen. Not a single line. Maybe because I tried to describe the indescribable. But let’s try one more time…
I went to New Jersey to see my greatest muse. The tour didn’t have (still doesn’t) a scheduled date for New York so I didn’t want to risk missing it. The only Beyoncé concert I saw (didn’t see, actually) was in Rock in Rio and it was so frustrating. I was so far from the stage that all I could see was a little dot in motion. So I doesn’t even count. On The Run was my first concert. And what a concert…
I was on aisle fifteen. So close to the stage. Thank God! The investment was totally worth it. If I have another opportunity I’ll go again and try to get an even closer seat! It’s over 40 songs. A two and a half hour concert. Which you don’t even realize. It flies.
I must confess that I was a bit disappointed with the fact that I would enjoy less Beyonce time to see some Jay Z. I love his music but it was her I wanted to see. I bought the tickets to watch Beyonce. Not On The Run. And I left COMPLETELY in love with him (too)! It couldn’t be a more perfect couple.
I don’t know much about technical stuff. Acoustics and all. But it was the best sound quality I’ve ever experienced in a concert. Everything fit so perfectly. I felt that even the endless wind jets were meticulously studied and directed at every move of hers.
There are several videos on the huge screens showing her costume changes. It it’s not just her. He goes along with it.I don’t know if he changes as many times as she does, but there are several costumes there. I love all the videos. So sophisticated. Really, really good. But I guess I’d rather have less videos/costumes and a couple more songs on the set list. It’s 40 songs but we leave the venue asking for more! Wishing it would never end!
They almost don’t speak to the audience. A little “hi” at the beginning. And “bye” in the end. But, really, it’s not even necessary. It’s all so perfectly directed. There are so many things going on the whole time, fire, different stages, changing scenography. One passing the baton to the other. And (to prove myself wrong!) my favorite moments were those when they met for a duet.
In fact, I love that Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake song, have you heard it? In the concert, Beyonce sings Justin’s lines. And I just can’t stop listening to this version. It was (hands down!) my favorite. I got major goose bumps. Head to toe. Her face is on the screen in a close-up the whole time. And she feels the song intensely. It was just the two of them on stage. Nothing else. No effect. Dancing. Wind. Nothing. And it was more than enough.
I don’t know how to upload my video here (I filmed the entire song!) but I got the one from the Miami concert, where you can listen to it perfectly, check it out:
I watched it again now and I still get the goose bumps…
Btw, my instagram is full of those videos! It was stronger than me! I guess I filmed almost the entire show. And posted some stuff! I was so desperate to record it, to have that with me forever…
They end the concert on a second stage in the middle of the stadium. I almost passed out. All cell phone lights on (I posted the video to instagram!) and them singing Forever Young together. Everyone singing along. So beautiful… Touching!
I just feel like describing each of the songs. I could stay here for a whole day. But that’s what I said in the beginning of the text, you have to see it in order to understand it! You have to be there.
Now let’s examine Bey’s costumes? I have some here for us! Check it out:
I read it’s 14 total! But you feel like it’s many more! Almost like an outfit for each song. My favorite is the first Versace, in which she opens the concert, with that little net on her face! Loved it!
And I’m still so overwhelmed… Missing it already…
Can you miss a concert you watched?
I guess so! It’s the closest I got to explain how I feel!
Thank you Beyonce for all that…
And welcome Jay Z!
You just found your way into my heart!
♥