Detroit Institute Of Arts

The weekend I was visiting my friend who moved near Detroit, she warned me her and her husband had tickets to see Sesame Street at the Fox Theater.  Their son absolutely adored Sesame Street and was infatuated with Cookie Monster.  I mean, who wouldn’t be??  Lol.  She suggested dropping me and her friend to the Detroit Institute of Arts museum since it was near the theater.  We could kill some time there while they enjoyed the show.  Her husband made an amazing breakfast for us, and we quickly got ready afterwards.

Me and her friend walked in and were mesmerized by the Diego Rivera Detroit Industry murals.  We were probably in that room for over 30 minutes!  I was completely blown away by its size and detailing.  We slowly made our way around the other exhibits and took our time visiting the artwork of our favorite artists.  I’m glad her friend was just as interested in art as I was.  Sometimes it’s hard to go with a person who isn’t interested in this kind of stuff.

We also refueled at the restaurant/ café located in the museum.  I enjoyed people watching and despite it being a Saturday, was surprised how many people were around.  I think the Institute is a place many locals come to hangout (since it’s free for them).  Regardless, me and her friend had a good time.

When our friends came to pick us up, it was already late in the afternoon.  Her husband took us along a driving tour of their suburb.  We decided to head to a restaurant they’ve been wanting to check out for a while, and see if we could all get in.

Sure enough, there was a line out the door.  We waited for over an hour.  It was a Venezuelan restaurant and had great reviews.  I wanted to try their arepas.  Luckily, we didn’t wait too long for our food and everything was delish.  Unfortunately they did not serve alcohol, and we wanted to get back to their house for some wine they had received as a gift.

We spent the rest of the evening watching movies and drinking wine and catching up.  Her friend had an early morning flight out, but we stayed up past 1am just talking!

Two days in Paris AGAIN! Part Two

This is the part that frustrated me a bit.  Realizing when I got up that it was my last full day in Paris.  Again.  I was robbed a day in Paris because of the Iceland mishap.  But I was determined to make the most of it. 

I woke up and got ready to head to the Musee d’Orsay.  I’ve been wanting to go to this museum for a while.  Two years ago I was in Paris and walked past it but didn’t get a chance to go inside.  I found out afterwards that it had Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and my mind never stop thinking about going back.  At last this day had come!
I got off the Norte Dame stop on the metro and decided to see how long the line was to go inside the church.  It wasn’t too bad although it was a pretty windy that day.  Once I got inside I felt so relieved.  Christmas time at Norte Dame was so beautiful!!  I witnessed their nativity scene and even bought a Christmas decoration for my mom.  I felt so blessed!

It was raining in Paris.  Luckily I packed an umbrella.  Since I left out at a good time, the line wasn’t too bad to get in.  This museum was pretty impressive!  I spent a good two hours going from room to room, and even had lunch in the café.  I have to say, I was brought to tears when I saw Van Gogh’s room.  I absolutely adore him and was moved by the crowd.  So many people from all over the world admiring his work.  I felt a sudden rush of sadness when I realized how he ended his life.  If he only knew how special he was…

Afterwards I went back to the hotel to take a nap.  I am accepting the fact that I need to rest from time to time on my little trips.  I am getting older and it feels good to let my feet rest.  My other new friend that I met back in September wanted to have dinner with me as well.  I got up and made my way to the other side of the city.  I had to call her at an McDonald’s when I got wifi.  Unfortunately I got lost but she knew where I was.  It felt so good to see her. 

I followed her back to her apartment.  She made me some ramen and I devoured it.  It was nice catching up with her.  She had a new boyfriend since I last saw her and she seemed very happy with him.  We talked for a bit.  I enjoyed our conversation because I learned so much about her experience in Paris.  

I left after 10pm.  It took me almost an hour to get back to my hotel.  Once there, I thought about going to a bar to have my favorite champagne, but most bars closed around midnight.  It was pointless to go out for an hour.  I decided to stay in.

Looking back at my mini trip, I learned so much from my new friends.  I still keep in contact from the guys in Wisconsin that were stuck with me in Iceland.  I enjoyed my time with my Parisian friends.  I needed this badly despite everything that’s happened since I was there back in September.  So much has changed but my love for traveling has gotten stronger.  I’m not sure when I will head back on a plane.  But in the meantime, I will keep an open mind on where I will head to next!

Day Two: Amsterdam

This was definitely one of the most tiring days of my trip.  Looking back I'm surprised I crammed so much in.  Since I messed up losing an evening of exploring I wanted to catch up as much as I can.

I bought my ticket for the Van Gogh museum at my hotel's front desk.  He assigned my time slot for 12pm since I was heading out for breakfast.  I woke up early to find a good restaurant to eat.  I looked up yelp reviews in my room earlier and found De Wasserette.  Luckily it was within walking distance.  Of course it's easier said than done but after a while of searching I found it on my own.   I enjoyed my eggs Benedict while I people watched.  Since it was after 9am the city was coming alive.  I finally left an hour later to look for museum square.

 I was getting lost again but eventually saw sign posts knowing I was nearby.  Sure enough I saw the infamous I AMSTERDAM sign from the horizon and knew I finally made it to my destination.   A large group of kids ran up to the sign and started climbing all over it.  People were going crazy taking pictures.  Two young high school students came up to me and asked if I could give them an interview on camera on why I came to Amsterdam.  I asked in return if they could take a picture of me at the sign and they agreed. 

I spent some time in the Museum shop and bought some souvenirs.  Of course once I walked out I saw another vendor stand and I knew I would find cheaper stuff.  The man who was working there was very friendly.  He was kind enough to give me the wifi code and we connected via messenger.  He advised me to go to the museum sooner if there is no line; so off I went.

I was super excited to be in the Van Gogh museum.  I took my time looking at his work and was enjoying every minute of it.   Since I got there early I had beat the rush.  But once that crowd came in I started to get  a little dizzy.  So far I only had one cup of coffee.  I'm a two cups of coffee person so I knew I had to get my java fix soon.  My new friend  messaged me how it was going and I told him I was going to leave soon for my fix.   He invited me back to his shop and we chatted up on my experience.  

I asked him what was happening at the Moco museum since I saw some people taking pictures outside of the museum.  He told me the Banksy exhibit was taking place.  I couldn't believe it!  What are the odds of me stumbling into this exhibit?  I rushed over to see it.  I am beyond grateful I had the opportunity to see his work.

After Moco I met up with my new friend again since now I was starving.  He was having a chicken sandwich from another vendor nearby and I wanted one too.  Once I finished lunch he was advising I should do a boat tour but I told him I was hoping to go to Ann Frank's house.  He was skeptical but told me that maybe some tickets were released since it was late in the day.  It closes at 7pm.

My new friend had to make a run on his scooter to another vendor shop and said he could drop me off over there.  As crazy as it was, I took my chance and got on board.  I couldn't pass this up since he did know his way around after all.  I definitely enjoyed my ride over there! 

Sure enough the line was super long.  I told my new friend I was going to wait it out.  He had invited me to go to the spa/gym with him but I told him I really wanted to see her house.  We made plans to have drinks the next day.  Luckily I found other Americans waiting in line, too.  One was a young woman studying in Paris.  She was from Wisconsin and her name was Claire.  There was an older couple celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary.  Their names were Suzy and I forgot her husband's name.  He was more quieter than his wife.  She was a teacher in Texas.  We waited 2 hours to get in.  The weather changed drastically and it got very cold and windy but we were determined to stick it through.  We got a chance to get to know one another since we were from all parts of the States.

Eventually we got in and it was very emotional for Claire.  She was very home sick being away from her family.  I'm glad I spent this time with them.

We closed the place down at 7pm and we all said our goodbyes.  My phone was dying.  I wanted to catch a cab back to my hotel.  I accidentally walked inside a weed cafe to look for wifi.  I left right away and luckily found a cab.  It's definitely not my cup of tea but at least I can't say I didn't visit  one!  

Once I got back to my hotel I started to get ready slowly.  I was tired but I wanted to go out and experience some nightlife.  I also had to take care of the hotel stay.  I asked the front desk if I could stay another evening and not check out in the morning.  Originally I had booked for 2 nights.  We arranged another night but trust me, it was pricey.  

I took an uber to sky lounge.  That place was really happening!  I met some guys in the elevator on our way up and they invited me to their table.  

We were having drinks and enjoying each other's company.  I liked the place but they wanted to go somewhere else.  I didn't want to leave just yet because I really liked the place.  I ended up staying behind.  

I hung out at the bar for a bit, asking the bartenders where I should go for some dance music.  I was getting tired but was trying to do my best to stay out longer.  Another group of guys walked in and were asking the same questions at the bar.  They just flew in from Sweden and after a brief introduction, they too, invited me to their table.  We chatted for a bit but then one of them got a message on their phone and they suddenly left.  That was my cue to leave as well.  I had tried my best to stay out as late as I could but having a full day had finally worn me down.  

Van Gogh's Bedrooms!

What a crazy weather week it's been!  On Valentine's Day Sunday it was snowing, and today the temperature reached up to 60 degrees!  You can't make this stuff up.  I truly believe if you live in Chicago, you can live anywhere else in the world.  We go through extreme conditions constantly. 
Last Sunday I decided to treat myself to a trip to the Art Institute.  For the 1st time ever Van Gogh's bedroom series was being showcased in the U.S!  I desperately tried to get the After Dark tickets for this exhibit, but they sold out in no time.  I figured this would be my Valentine's gift-to-myself this year, and off I went to the museum.
Valentine Sunday was the official 1st day of this reveal.  I was surprised to find the line down the street and luckily had purchased tickets online a week prior.  Since I haven't been to the Art Institute in over 15 years, I took my time to get familiar with the museum again.  I forget how beautiful it is inside.  Eventually I made my way over to the exhibit, only to find another line with a set time of 90 minutes.  YIKES!  Luckily I did not waste that much time earlier and took my place and waited. 
Leading up to that Sunday, I did brush up on my Van Gogh knowledge with an art book I had at home.  I wanted to come prepared.  It was amazing finally seeing his work right in front of my eyes!  I enjoyed the time line display leading up to the Bedroom paintings.  As troubled as he was, he did produce beautiful pieces of work.  Sometimes there's no other way to express your haunting thoughts except through canvas. 

Sunday in the Park

All of my pictures were taken from my new i phone 6s...

Considering I came right after church that morning, I loved seeing biblical art...

Here Jupitor is getting scolded by Venus while Cupid holds her back...

Monet's Water Lily Pond...

Missing Paris...

Check out that line!  Over a 90 minute wait to see Van Gogh's Bedrooms...

Van Gogh used a perspective frame which allows artists to compare the proportions of close objects to those that are far away as a means to translate three dimensional perspective onto a canvas...

Van Gogh's "A Poet's Garden"

Van Gogh's "View of the Asylum with a Pine Tree"

Gauguin's Chair- chair series

Van Gogh's chair series

Van Gogh's "Madame Roulin Rocking the Cradle"

Theo is his beloved brother who was his benefactor until his death.  Van Gogh constantly wrote to him...

1st bedroom...

2nd version

3rd version

Van Gogh's "Hospital at Saint Remy"

Had to see "Nighthawk"; a Chicago classic!

Selfie time!  I truly enjoyed Van Gogh's Bedrooms!  Need to see the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam!