Saturday, we went to see the exhibit at the De Young Museum of the treasures of King Tut. A family outing of 7 adults and 4 kids can be a recipe for disaster but all was well and we had a good time. I was impressed by the crowd handling skills of the museum and the imagination of the folks who conceived and produced the exhibit. My usual claustrophobia took a short vacation and allowed me to appreciate the museum’s “inside the pyramid” setting for the artifacts. I have to say that those Egyptians knew how to make things beautiful and the jewelry artists were awesome. I loved that the statues of men and women all had their arms entwined behind their backs – it was endearing and sweet.
I spent the few days prior to the event hyperventilating over the parking process. If you are a frequent visitor to the City, you know why. I’ve been a member of the De Young since the renovated structure opened but have only visited the Legion of Honor. This was our first foray into the De Young and the parking was of special concern to me. I knew there was a new garage built under the museum but, honestly, the description on the website is just, well, LACKING. The driving directions are: 19th through the Park, right on Fulton, right on 10th. How hard would it have been to say: right at 10th which is, in fact, THE VERY ENTRANCE INTO THE GARAGE? Anyway, it was stupidly easy and I was mad at myself for having so many anxious moments. And, I hereby take back the grief I gave Husband for getting that handicapped parking placard…ahem. Of course, when you spend what I did on the tickets, you didn’t want to miss the event because YOU COULDN’T FIND A DAMN PLACE TO PARK! Also found that if you are a few minutes late for your timed entrance tickets, they will still let you in, despite threats to the contrary on the website.
Anyway, it was fun in the end and amazing and educational. I’m looking forward to the arrival of the Impressionists from the Musee D’Orsay next summer. I’m going on a weekday and spend the day. You can come if you like, but I’m taking my good old time seeing these beauties again.
July 14, 2009 at 6:27 pm |
i want to come too, as long as i am not hustled and nagged to get ready THREE hours early… love you and your neurotic sense of timing, mother. haha. oh, and happy bastille day!! i actually don’t know how to say that in french… joyeux jour de la bastille? peut etre, mais peut etre pas. je t’aime!
July 15, 2009 at 10:51 pm |
I’ll think about it. As you may recall, we arrived at the Musee D’Orsay not very long before closing on my last day in Paris. We had to hurry. I’m not going to hurry this time. On my Bucket List is: “See the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day.” You might enjoy that more.
July 16, 2009 at 3:41 pm |
Thanks again for the lovely day! We had a great time, and I’m sorry we were the late ones
Weekday visit sounds great to me. Count me in!
xoxo