January 5, 2007
-
Christmas Eve at Notre Dame
First this picture from Paris's subway system. This moving walkway rockets people along at 9 km/hour with three separate belts. The first is a slower belt that runs about the normal speed then the black belt in the middle cruises at top speed until you reach the third belt which is slower as well so that you don't get injured stepping off at the end!
Esther could tell you more - she read something about it and was really disappointed that it was turned off when we were there...
Coming from the Eiffel Tower, we took the subway to Notre Dame. When we turned the corner, it was quite a sight to behold. Outside, huge lines were forming, and we hopped in one of them not really knowing what would happen!
Somewhere she had read about the Christmas Eve services being at 10p and midnight, and we got over in time for the 10p one, staying through much of the midnight service as well. It was so gorgeous! There were over 10,000 people as you can imagine.
Again, very glad I brought the lenses that I did. From the back of the Cathedral, you can see the expression on every child's face in the full version of the image. The Christmas carols they were singing could not have had better acoustics - you just get tingles down your spine and listen in awe.
On the right, you get the sense of just how far away the back of the cathedral is and the tiny blue dots of where the choir is in the picture above.
My favorite. It's such an awe-inspiring place to be.
They had a video with a live voice-over in French with English subtitles of the Christmas story featuring the Cathedral's art and stained glass. It was amusing to see these pillars that are over 500 years old with lights from the 20th century and LCD screens (free standing, thankfully) from the 21st century. Quite the juxtaposition.
I should add - I was tearing up during Silent Night. It was powerful.
Comments (9)
Oh wow! That is amazing!! What a wonderful experience! Fantastic pictures!
Paris for Christmas. That's sickeningly romantic, you know.
WOW!
that's a heck of an story to be able to tell your grandkids ~ "i went to Notre Dame on Christmas Eve with your grandmother"
(not that i'm jumping the gun here or anything.) amazing pictures, GOOD THING you had the huge telephoto. size matters.
It was awe-inspring being there as Christmas was rung in. It felt like a holy place and I couldn't but think that I was standing in a place where thousands before me had stood through the centuries. While Nick wandered around taking pictures I was able to just soak it all in.. a fabulous experience.
Beautiful...
i love these pictures. beautiful. don't you love surprises??! their blue robes and the lighting are so striking. and flat screen monitors by each pillar???!!! wow. you two are adorable.
Gorgeous. Makes me wish I was there too. Thanks for the incredible pictures.
Great pictures! Flat screen televisions lit by candles above. The old meets the new, perhaps?