Ah how quickly my zen state from Paris was lost (getting fired on your last day of vacation will do that to you). While my mind has been mostly consumed with poisonous thoughts toward my employer, perhaps writing about our third day of vacation will help bring me back to my happy place.
*deep breath -- and we're back*
Day three was probably the most action-packed as we tried to hit most of the major touristy places all in one day.
Our feet were slightly sore from the full-day at the Louvre the previous day, so we had a leisurely breakfast then headed over to the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is such an amazing work of architecture, and the near-pitch black conditions inside are amazingly lit from the huge stained glass windows that line every wall. That and the digital displays of all the cash registers hocking everything but Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame plush toys. It was the oddest combination of quiet religious reverence and shameless tourist consumerism. We of course picked up a souvenir 'message to God' candle for Adam's grandmother -- only 5 Euros!
Next stop - Eiffel Tower! After a very brief discussion about the alternatives of taking the stairs (cheaper) or the elevator (sane), we got in the very long line for the elevators. Security was quite tight. As our backpack was being searched, AC though it would be a prudent time to tell me all about the role of the Eiffel Tower in Superman II. Let's just say after using the words "terrorists," "bomb," and "secret plot to blow up the tower", we started getting some very suspicious looks from our linemates. I quickly asked him a random question about Madonna (a sure-fire way to change the topic) to avoid our imminent arrest.
As you'd expect, the view was beautiful (unfortunately the top level was closed, so we had to settle for the middle). It was also cold. Looking back at the pictures, we oddly never posed together. Not just at the Eiffel Tower, but in Paris at all! We'll have to remember that for next time.
After lunch, AC suggested we check out The d'Orsay Museum. I was actually quite surprised he suggested this given that I am more of the art-freak and thought I'd already gotten more than my fair share after spending all day at The Louvre. It's an amazing museum that was converted from a railway station (think art gallery in Grand Central Station). The layout and lighting were simply amazing and it was nice to see some art I was more familiar with. Not to be a total nerd, but you get the most indescribable feeling when you're right next to a famous painting you've only seen in books ... you could touch it if you wanted to (get arrested). I wondered out out -- what would prevent someone from coming in here and vandalizing one of the paintings? Interestingly, right after we left -- someone did just that by punching a hole in a painting I'd gazed at just days before. Anyway, to make up for making AC do so much grown-up stuff, I posed for a picture that looks a rhino is about to crap on me. See how we give-and-take?
After this, the Arc de Triomphe! It's a little tricky to figure out how to get to it, as it's encircled by a multiple lane circular road. After AC's reference to our trusty guidebook, we found the subway entrance and made it over. The most memorable thing about this monument was the spiral staircase the led up to the top. For me, it wasn't the staircase itself but the pile of nearly-dead bodies panting desperately for breath at the top. AC and I are no fitness freaks, but nearly everyone who braved the staircase seemed to be on the verge of a myocardial infarction. We felt pretty good about ourselves! We also had a little run-in with the law here, but if AC ever gets back to blogging, I'll let him write about it.
To end our day, we took a leisurely walk back down the Champs-Élysées back to our hotel. We made a quick pit-stop to ride a huge Ferris Wheel and then watched leisurely as a fist fight almost broke out somehow. Don't ask me -- we were confused too.
Stay tuned for Paris Day 4 -- Claude Monet's house and the palace of Versailles. Oh, and here are the pictures.
*deep breath -- and we're back*
Day three was probably the most action-packed as we tried to hit most of the major touristy places all in one day.
Our feet were slightly sore from the full-day at the Louvre the previous day, so we had a leisurely breakfast then headed over to the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is such an amazing work of architecture, and the near-pitch black conditions inside are amazingly lit from the huge stained glass windows that line every wall. That and the digital displays of all the cash registers hocking everything but Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame plush toys. It was the oddest combination of quiet religious reverence and shameless tourist consumerism. We of course picked up a souvenir 'message to God' candle for Adam's grandmother -- only 5 Euros!
Next stop - Eiffel Tower! After a very brief discussion about the alternatives of taking the stairs (cheaper) or the elevator (sane), we got in the very long line for the elevators. Security was quite tight. As our backpack was being searched, AC though it would be a prudent time to tell me all about the role of the Eiffel Tower in Superman II. Let's just say after using the words "terrorists," "bomb," and "secret plot to blow up the tower", we started getting some very suspicious looks from our linemates. I quickly asked him a random question about Madonna (a sure-fire way to change the topic) to avoid our imminent arrest.
As you'd expect, the view was beautiful (unfortunately the top level was closed, so we had to settle for the middle). It was also cold. Looking back at the pictures, we oddly never posed together. Not just at the Eiffel Tower, but in Paris at all! We'll have to remember that for next time.
After lunch, AC suggested we check out The d'Orsay Museum. I was actually quite surprised he suggested this given that I am more of the art-freak and thought I'd already gotten more than my fair share after spending all day at The Louvre. It's an amazing museum that was converted from a railway station (think art gallery in Grand Central Station). The layout and lighting were simply amazing and it was nice to see some art I was more familiar with. Not to be a total nerd, but you get the most indescribable feeling when you're right next to a famous painting you've only seen in books ... you could touch it if you wanted to (get arrested). I wondered out out -- what would prevent someone from coming in here and vandalizing one of the paintings? Interestingly, right after we left -- someone did just that by punching a hole in a painting I'd gazed at just days before. Anyway, to make up for making AC do so much grown-up stuff, I posed for a picture that looks a rhino is about to crap on me. See how we give-and-take?
After this, the Arc de Triomphe! It's a little tricky to figure out how to get to it, as it's encircled by a multiple lane circular road. After AC's reference to our trusty guidebook, we found the subway entrance and made it over. The most memorable thing about this monument was the spiral staircase the led up to the top. For me, it wasn't the staircase itself but the pile of nearly-dead bodies panting desperately for breath at the top. AC and I are no fitness freaks, but nearly everyone who braved the staircase seemed to be on the verge of a myocardial infarction. We felt pretty good about ourselves! We also had a little run-in with the law here, but if AC ever gets back to blogging, I'll let him write about it.
To end our day, we took a leisurely walk back down the Champs-Élysées back to our hotel. We made a quick pit-stop to ride a huge Ferris Wheel and then watched leisurely as a fist fight almost broke out somehow. Don't ask me -- we were confused too.
Stay tuned for Paris Day 4 -- Claude Monet's house and the palace of Versailles. Oh, and here are the pictures.
3 comments:
Hey guys-
Justin- Not sure what to say except both the Angel and Devil make great points. So sorry about your job. :( Adam- does this mean we aren't seeing M in Tokyo???
Love and miss you you both!
PS- Please don't move to Singapore.
I seriously think you have a future in travel photography. Amazing pictures! I feel like I'm right there with you. Again, still jealous! Can't wait to see the pictures from Monet's home. I'll show Gracie where her postcard came from! (which she promptly took to school to show everyone)
Keep the posts coming, I'm waitng for more Paris goodness!
Hugs
I think the d'Orsay was my favorite as well it was amazing to see all of the handpainted posters by lautrec (in shabby condition after being peeled off a wall) and i was head over heels to finally see work by Rippl-Ronai, i've mostly seen his works in books or reproductions....alot of his works were in the dark rooms on the third level i believe.......the crowning moment, not sure if she is still on display, a complete collection of Degas Ballerina casts and bronzes, I have now seen all 4 collection in the world - i had that dream ever since i was a teenager and fell in love with Degas's work. AHHH I love Paris!
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