Wow, it was a great day and a bad day.
Today was museum day. We had a 2-day pass which gave us a fast entrance and a discounted entrance to all the museums. We started with the Louvre. OMG what a crowd. Of course we cruised in but hit the wall right after entrance. There were literally thousands of people already there. It was hard just walking around. The crowd made India look like a deserted island. We really had only one objective, to see Mona. WE found her and even a bigger crowd. We could not even get close to her....but we did see and take a couple pictures of her. Then as we said, "lets get the f&^%k out of here. But we all agreed that the building and rooms were magnificent!!! Our next stop was the museum up the garden from the Lourve (forgot the name) and some Monets and really some great artisst who we had not heard of. Then off to the MO....or as they say Musee d'Orsey. It was around 1 when we got there so we went straight to the restaurant which was a gorgeous French traditionally designed room with huge mirrors and chandeliers...just fabulous. The menu its quite unique and we had to try all kinds of things. It was so neat sitting there overlooking the inside of the museum. After (we hated to leave) we headed for first the art deco area and then off to what the museum is all about....impressionism. Lots of Monets, Gaugon (sp) Renoirs, VAn Gogh and etc. The thing that hit me the most is to see so many iconic paintings IN THE FLESH, as they say. I have seen these paintings hundreds if not thousands of times over the years but never "up close and personal". It was just overpowering. Then to go and see SO MANY incredible impressionist paintings actually got overwhelming. Literally hundreds of them IN ONE PLACE. But we loved it. And the building, what can one say about the architecture of the old train station. JUST UNBELIEVEABLE!!!
By this time it was around 4:00 and we said, tooooo early to quit. So we decided to head out by metro to the ARch of Triumph. One interesting thing about the trip was that I can say that it was probably the longest metro station I have ever seen, we walked and walked and walked underground until finally we got to our destination.
The weather was changing rapidly....cold and very dark. We knew that rain was on its way. With our pass we got VIP treatment and off and up to the top of the arch for a bird's eye view of the city. It was absolutely spectacular views. I had been to Paris several times before but never to the top of the arch.....fabulous. Of course VIP up....and peasant....down. We had to walk down the windy, narrow steps. But it was worth every step.
Now a dilemma, do we take the metro back with all that walking or do we try the hop on/off bus that is free with the Paris Pass. Ah, lets try the bus. OMG what a mistake. The rains came and quite hard and here we are sitting in the top area of the sightseeing bus (the bottom area is filled full). With our rain coats on and my umbrella up, we are off SIGHTSEEING the city on the bus AT RUSH HOUR. Of course we are on the opposite side of the city and the bus goes 8 stops before it reaches our area. Wind, cold and lots of rain hit us, on and on....so we just started to laugh outloud at our situation. But, we did get to see the Eifel Tower at least 5 different views.....but in a rain storm!!!!!
Freezing and tired we finally reach our goal of Notre Dame stop and what.........we have no breakfast food for tomorrow....so after this we have to go food shopping. We did it and we got some really really good cheese and baguette for a quick rest and appitizers before we headed to dinner at really our first REAL French dinner restaurant. Our reservation was for 8:00 and we finally got home around 7:05. So, after a nice glass of wine and some cheese we were off to The Yellow Taxi for dinner. It was just down the street and on this "alley". A very small place and no English menu....and rarity so far here. The owner came out and helped us with the menu and the main reason we picked this particular place was what it served.....cheval. I ordered it. I will not tell you what it translates to in English....look it up. But it was deeeelicious. WE also had duck and lamb.....and lots of wine and OMG the desserts!!!! So I can add another new item" to my "did that" list. We all agreed that we want to go back if we have time.
We got home around 10:30 and everyone was ready for the big bed!!! So, it was quite a day indeed......lots and lots of art, really really great food and an experience that we will laugh about for years to come.
See you tomorrow......more museums tomorrow....especially the Pompidu (sp)!!!
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