Vincent & a Sparkly Eiffel Tower

Hiiii! 

Yes, I realize it has been almost 3 months since my France trip (don't remind me) and that I am still blogging about it. When I first started this recap I had no idea how long it would take, especially when I only blog every week and a half! So, to those of you who are still reading anything I post, THANK YOU and I swear it's almost done! 

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Sunday, August 24th

One of the optional excursions on our cruise was a visit to Auvers-sur-oise (don't ask me how to pronounce it) where Vincent Van Gogh spent the last days of his life. As you may remember, I am a little intrigued by Van Gogh, so of course we chose to do this excursion. (Thanks mom!)

One of the first things we saw was this gothic style church that he had painted in 1890. Right next to it was a copy of his painting. It was really awesome to be able to look at the same church Van Gogh had looked at to paint, and then to compare it to his painting.

After looking around in the town, we took a walk to the cemetery. Van Gogh, and his brother Theo, are both buried here. It was crazy to see Van Gogh's grave! It was in a normal cemetery, nothing special, with no guard or anything. For some reason that surprised me.

I had always heard and read that Van Gogh had shot himself, but during this tour we learned another theory. I won't go into detail, but basically it just goes that he was shot by someone bullying him and died from that. That would be crazy, and story changing, if it were true. 

After the cemetery we went back to the town and saw the tiny room Van Gogh rented and where he passed away after his gun shot. Of course we weren't allowed to take pictures, but there really wasn't much to it. It was a tiny room with nothing but a small window and chair in it. Kind of sad.

Little Van Gogh.

Another building he painted with his painting near it.

That night we headed back into Paris for our last night of vacation. While I was so excited to see Paris again, I wasn't ready for it to be over! Our captain said he was going to show us a special "treat" on the way back, and we stopped in front of this miniature Lady Liberty. America gifted her to France after they gave us the original.

After dinner mom and I went up to the top deck and saw the Eiffel Tower. At night, every hour on the hour, the Eiffel tower sparkles! It looks so pretty!

We decided to leave the ship and walk closer to the Eiffel Tower before the next hour struck so that we could see it sparkle a little closer. Next time I am in Paris (yes there will be a next time) I'd like to be right up to it when it lights up. It's so pretty!

 

One more short post and then my France recap is over! Looking back through these posts and pictures makes me miss it so much. Why does travel have to be SO expensive? I am ready to go back ASAP. If I could spend my entire life traveling I swear I would.

Byyyyee. ; )