Pittsburgh_Patrika_October_2015

The Pittsburgh Patrika, Vol, 21, No. 1, October 2015
claim to have walked the length of the Champs Elysees and seen Paris
almost end to end.
Although we saw
many of the “touristy”
things one does in Paris
– l’Arc de Triomphe,
Eiffel Tower, Notre
Dame Cathedral, etc.
– we did have two outstanding
adventures.
The first was the
tour of the Catacombs
that run underneath the
One of the crypts in the Catacombs. Skulls and femur
bones are reverently arranged with remaining bones
stacked behind.
city, reportedly the largest
ossuary, or depository
of human bones in
Europe, housing the remains
of about 6 million people. Simultaneously eerie and fascinating, we
found the Catacombs one of the most interesting experiences we have ever
shared.
We also
had the good
fortune to
tour Sainte-
Chappelle
and experience
the
beauty and
the brill
i a n c e o f
this medieval
Gothic
The Stained Glass Windows of Sainte-Chappelle.
chapel. Sainte-Chappelle was built to house Louis IX’s collection of relics
of Christ. The most famous features of the chapel are the fifteen 15-meter
high stained glass windows depicting the biblical stories from Genesis to
Revelation. With sunlight streaming through in the early afternoon, they
are breathtakingly beautiful! For us, this was the highlight of the Parisian
leg of our trip.
It was a whirlwind two weeks of beautiful sights and sounds. On a
limited budget and with limited time we were able to see and do just
enough to leave us hungry for more! •
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