Artena

Artena is a small town located 45 minutes or so outside of Rome. This village is on top of a large hill and many of the buildings are right along the edge of the cliff. Cars are not allowed into the actual town because there just is not any room for them. Most of the streets are very narrow and have cobblestone steps. Sometimes when people have to carry large goods to their homes, like a washing machine or large TV, they have to use a donkey.

World War Cemeteries

Since France had some many battles fought on its soil during both of the World Wars, there are many cemeteries scattered throughout the country. Some of these cemeteries are dedicated to just American soldiers. Yesterday I visited the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial. I chose this particular cemetery not only because it is close to the city centre of Paris, but also because I discovered that my great great uncle was buried there. He fought during WWI. Walking around the cemetery was a very powerful experience and I really got a sense of how many people died in these conflicts.

Outdoor Cafes

A very popular food in France are crepes. These are like really thin pancakes with a large variety of toppings. The ones I got had Nutella in them, but I could have also had many other types of fruit on them. I also drank a cappuccino. Coffee is much more popular here than in the United States. I ate and drank these things at an outdoor cafe near the Eiffel Tower. Outdoor eating areas are very popular and if there is a restaurant, there will probably be somewhere to sit outside and people watch.

nutella crepes and a cappuccino

omelette with fries and a salad

Sacré-Cœur

Sacré-Cœur is Roman Catholic church in Paris. The church was consecrated in 1919. The site of the building is on top of a hill named Montmarte. The area around Montmarte was home to many great artists like, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. The hill itself is a lively gathering place where people go to picnic and look at superb views of the city, but be wary of pickpockets!

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is another one of Paris' famous landmarks. It was completed in 1836. The monument honors the people who fought and died in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The Arc de Triomphe sits in the middle of one of the world's busiest and largest roundabouts. It is about fifty meters (164 feet) tall.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most recognizable structures. It is the icon of Paris. The structure itself was designed by the architect Gustav Eiffel. It is his most well known work. The building was completed in 1889 and at the time it was the world's tallest building. The Eiffel Tower held this record until 1930 when it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York City. 

Trip #2

I leave for my second trip in exactly one week. This time I will be going to France and Italy. I fly into Paris on September 8th and spend a few nights there. Then I take another short flight down to Naples in southern Italy. From there I will gradually go north through the country visiting other famous cities like Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, and Milan.

France's Flag

Italy's Flag