Volcano Ash! Trapped in Paris!

So, I rarely fly. In fact, I am trying hard to think back on how many flights I've taken in my life, and I believe it is 12. However, I had a flight scheduled to go to Prague for spring break on Friday, 4/16. The day of my 13th flight, a volcano erupted, and the biggest disruption of air traffic in history ensued! My timing was impeccable. On top of that, because this is France, the train workers are on strike! Instead of taking an overnight bus, I decided to embrace my time in Paris and still treat it as a spring break. (I am also still responsible for dogsitting Panda--the people who were supposed to fly in from America and take up my post are now trapped in America.) So I am going to use the blog to chronicle my day-to-day while I'm "trapped in Paris"!

Day 1, Friday, 4/16:
-I went to the Petit Palais, where there is currently an exhibit on Yves Saint Laurent. Here is the outside of the building:

Unfortunately, pictures were prohibited, but here are some of the dresses I saw:




Then, I walked around the Petit Palais permanent collection (Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris). It was tiny, but nice, and there was a beautiful café and courtyard within.

Day 2, Saturday, 4/17:

I went to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which is housed in a wing of the Louvre. I am becoming a big Art Nouveau and Art Deco nerd, and trying to get to everywhere in the city that I can find good examples. The musée didn't disappoint. They had several rooms completely decked out in these styles, so I could totally feast my eyes. Here are some pics from the museum's website:
(Art Nouveau)

(Art Nouveau)

(Art Deco)


After that, I wandered around several parts of the 1st arrondissement I hadn't been to. Here are some pics from the Jardins du Palais Royal:
(First one is controversial modern art)

(Second one is more enjoyable modern art)


I also wandered to a church there, and some fancy shopping areas:
(Here is a baroque ceiling in the cathedral St. Roch)

(Here is a fancy gallerie filled with shops and cafés)


So despite being sad that I can't make it to Prague or Budapest this week, I am delighted that I am making the best of my time here. More updates to come!