The Grand Palais was constructed for the 1900 Worlds Fair. The architecture of the building combines a classical stone facade and grand sculptures with intricate iron work. The building itself epitomizes the blending of modern and historical that is Paris. The Grand Palais continues as an exposition hall and museum. In fact we saw the Edward Hopper Exhibit there last month. And to the delight of the Parisians they have turned the nave of building into an ice skating rink. The vastness of the nave with the high vaulted glass ceiling made for a unique and festive experience. The skating brought back fond memories of Rostraver and South Park skating rink of my childhood days. I also revealed to everyone my hidden desire to be Michelle Kwon on the ice. Not because I had any skating talent, but because I liked the idea of gracefully gliding over the ice like an elegant winter land princess. Between the little kids and families of holding hands across the rink, there wasn't much room to do any gliding. It was mostly bobbing and weaving around parents holding up their toddlers upright and kids who had no control of where they were going, they were just going until they fell. I will just have to settle for not falling once today.
The ice skating made us hungry, so went to the Christmas market on the Champs Elysees. We ate Saucisse Toulouse which reminded of Polish Kielbasa (showing my Pittsburgh roots here). Then we strolled along the market taking in Paris at Christmas time.
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| Le Grand Palais de Glace |
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| Crowds on the ice |
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| Action shot of Thomas on the ice |
After a brief nap, we took a stroll through our neighborhood to enjoy the Christmas lights.
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| Garches City Hall |
Joyeux Noël à tous.
Maligayang Pasko sa lahat.
Merry Christmas to all.