Last Day in Paris

Breakfast at the hotel. Filling enough. Cereal, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, croissants, bread, coffee, tea. Not much more needed.

Took the Metro to the Museum of Art and History of Judaism. Wasn't permitted to take pictures inside the place. A free audio guide was included with admission so we listened to a lot of interesting information about not only French Jews but other Jewish communities from Europe and the Mediterranean. Problem with the guide, however, was that the numbers it referred to were often not posted. We managed and learned alot. They have an excellent bookshop/store, too. We decided to walk to the nearby Picasso Museum, not realizing that it is now closed for renovations, because the pass book and signs never said anything about it being under renovation until 2012. As we left that area, it started to rain. We stood under an overhang, watching the rain and HAIL, knowing it would probably end soon. Continued walking and it rained more, but we stayed out in it so we could get to the closest Metro station.

From there, we took trains to Montparnasse Tower, a 200 meter tall skyscraper that has a 360 degree inside observation area to view the city of Paris. There is also an outside observation deck at the top where a helicopter can land if necessary. Of course, we were up there, too. 

 We decided to take the Metro back to the hotel area and then figure out what to have for dinner. Most restaurants were not open yet (open at 7PM) so we went into a market to buy something to take back to our room. We already had wine that my friend gave us so would have a good dinner. 

 Flight home tomorrow. I'm planning to post other pictures online when I get a chance.
 

Always Something... Missing PDA

Before we went to breakfast, I asked Steve to give me "valuables" to lock in the suitcase. This hotel doesn't have safes in the room and charges for lock boxes, so we just lock up the computer and other items in my suitcase. Passports are locked up in Hotel Safe for no charge.

Usually I put his whole bag in the suitcase but asked him for just what I had to add to the suitcase "safe." I took his camera and he said the only other thing was his PDA. It wasn't in his bag. Unusual for it not to be there. The last he saw it was a couple of days ago when he was hotsyncing it and fixing some stuff on it. 

When we came into hotel last night, there was a message that we thought couldn't be for us so gave it back to desk clerk. Steve realized this morning that it might have something to do with the PDA so asked about. Yes, it was a call from The Phone Store, near an area where we were yesterday. Message said to call by 7PM last night. Couldn't have called anyway because we didn't get back to hotel until almost 10PM. Our desk clerk tried calling this morning, but no answer. Steve checked online to see if there was an email or something else for contact, but all he found out was that they were closed on Sunday. Our desk clerk said they will continue calling even after we leave hotel tomorrow morning at 10AM. Hopefully it can be shipped to him. I've asked my friend here in Paris to take care of it if the store won't.

We think it fell out of his bag when he was taking out his camera yesterday. Fortunately, an honest person probably thought it was a Smart Phone (which we don't have yet) so took it to a phone store. That person was able to check the calendar and saw that we were staying at this hotel. It's good that I always Repeat an event if it's for more than one day. 

It will be interesting to get the whole story.

Tapestries, Cathedrals, Crypt, Cruises, and the Eiffel Tower

Started out with a visit to Cluny National Museum (Middle Ages) to see the tapestries, stained glass, statues, and other items in their collection. The very special series of tapestries are the Lady with the Unicorn, a set of 6 tapestries that have always been together. The focus is on the senses (taste, sight, smell, touch, hearing) so each one showed her doing something related to one of these senses.

We walked over the bridge to Ile de Cite, the original island center of Paris, to the Conciergerie where many people were held prior to their executions, including Marie Antoinette. The structure was impressive. We walked to Notre Dame Cathedral, but the lines to get in were extremely long, so we decided to avoid them. Instead we went to the Crypt in the plaza in front of the cathedral to view the ruins that were uncovered when they were working on a planned parking garage.

At the east end of the island was the Memorial of Deportation, a special place of remembrance for all victims of the deportation (Jews, activists, gypsies, homosexuals, political prisoners) who perished during WWII. A plaque on the floor said "They descended into the mouth of the Earth and they did not return." 200,000 lighted crystals (one for each French citizen who died) were lit. The eternal flame of hope was at the far end. There is a tomb on the Unknown Deportee there, too. Above the exit it says "Forgive, but never forget." 

Walked across the bridge to walk along the Rive Gauche (south, or Left Bank). We were planning to take a river cruise from there but found out we had to go to the Eiffel Tower area to get on the one that was included in the Paris Pass. Fortunately, there was an RER (railroad) station nearby so we took it to the Eiffel Tower area. 

The cruise was so-so with many loud people and a malfunctioning narration. It rained during much of the cruise but we were all covered so didn't get wet. 

Got off the boat and walked up the stairs toward the Eiffel Tower. Very long lines to go up in the elevators, so kept walking. Took a bus to connect to the Metro to go back to our hotel area. Instead of getting on the Metro right away, we stopped for dinner at an Italian restaurant. The owner (from Algeria) spoke English and was very friendly. Steve ordered soup and I ordered mussels for appetizer and we shared a pizza. Also shared a delicious sundae (mint ice-cream with chocolate syrup and whipped cream). I also had a cappuccino, only one on this trip.

Metro (with one connection) back to hotel for the night.

Tomorrow is our LAST DAY in Paris. Will make the most of our time!

Paintings, Wax Figures, and Walking in the Rain

Today we saw it looked like it would rain on and off so we decided to go to places not too far from Metro stops. First visit was to the Orangerie, an art museum chosen and arranged by Claude Monet, with paintings by Renoir, Cezanne (painting with trees), Picasso, Utrillo, Matisse, Rousseau, and some other painters. The first two rooms are filled with huge Monet paintings (panels put together filling almost whole width of a wall).

There were a few groups of young children with teachers who were telling them about some paintings and artists. The children were very focused and actively involved answering questions. Rarely have I seen such young children at art museums. 

Our next stop was to the Grevin Paris Wax Museum. The visit began with a "sound and light show" in a room surrounded with mirrors so it appeared to be very large. We then viewed many wax figures as we walked from one room to the next. It was interesting how they set up the figures in natural poses so that anyone could stand or sit by them. Many looked very real. Definitely a place worth visiting!

Bus to Montmartre to walk around shops and have dinner. 
Ate an an Indian restaurant so were able to get a vegetarian meal. Good food, including the pakoras and samosas at starters

Special Visit with a Friend from College

I knew that a former college friend was working/living in Paris so I contacted him prior to the trip, hoping we could get together at some time while we were here. We haven't seen each other in more than 30 years! We arranged to meet for dinner at a French restaurant. We figured out how to get there from the our museum trek. On the way we passed some interesting sites along the bus route, including an obelisk from Ramses II at the Place de Concorde (where 1300 were guillotined in the 1790s) and the Arc de Triomphe. The Sebillon has excellent food. We started out with some sparkling wine and water, followed by our appetizers (escargot for me with a challenge to get those tiny snails out of the shells), and some more wine. For the main course, Steve had scallops and I had sea bass. The waitress showed us a seafood platter they serve for a large group of people. There weren't enough of us to eat all that! We ate our first desserts of our our trip and they were outstanding; chocolate mousse for Steve and creme broulette for me. 

Great conversation with my friend who gave us a bottle of wine to enjoy while we are here. Almost forgot to have Steve take our picture.

Took the Metro back to the hotel. At one stop, some musicians boarded the bus and entertained everyone. Of course, they passed the "cup" for some money.

The Musee d'Orsay .. Outstanding Collection of Art

Since this museum is a short walk across the bridge over the Seine, we decided to see it after many hours at the Louvre. They are completing renovations to the building so many works have been set up in temporary galleries. Only disappointment for me was that no pictures could be taken in the museum. We entered quickly with our Museum Passes and walked through the many galleries, admiring the work of Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Courbet, Cezanne, Gauguin, Degas, and more.

The Louvre.. a Huge Museum

Took a bus to the Louvre. With the Paris Pass, we didn't have to stand in a long line to get in. They put our bags through an x-ray and we had to walk through machines just like in the airport. I wasn't surprised considering all the valuable artwork in the museum. It's immense with many different section and lots of stairs. Made sure we saw the classics: Code of Hammurabi (Always taught about this and finally was able to see the real thing!), the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa (Notice the reflection of the crowd of people taking photos), and many other statues and paintings. Two courtyard areas under large glass roofs  contain many French statues. It was a bright, sunny day so we walked around after a few hours in the museum, enjoying the weather (not as cold as yesterday) and the ambiance.

Montmarte, Dali, Rodin, and the Eiffel Tower

After a good breakfast in the hotel, we organized for the day. Looked like it was going to be cool so we wore our warm jackets. Definitely needed them, too. Walked up to the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur le Montmartre, high above the city. Lots of steps to get there. Very windy and beautiful view of Paris. We walked into the Basilica while a service was happening. No pictures were allowed and, of course, everyone looking around had to be very quiet. Beautiful place with many statues and stained glass windows, in addition to the attraction of the architecture of the building.

We looked out (and down) on the city, admiring the views. Luckily, there was no rain at the time. Had a good view of the Eiffel Tower, too. We walked through a lovely but touristy square on our way to the Dali exhibition nearby. Interesting pieces on display in an organized setting. It had started to rain hard just as we went in, but by the time we left it stopped. Good timing. After a light lunch of crackers and cheese, we decided to take the Funicular down instead of walking. Quick ride with good views. It would have been better to ride it UP and not walk up so many steps.

Next visit was to the Rodin Museum which houses many of his works in addition to those of students of his and some of his personal paintings and objects. There is a fiberglass copy of The Thinker in the Metro station. Steve was checking it out, and noticed a hole in the leg. At the museum, we saw THE bronze one outside the galleries.

When we left the museum, it started to rain and was very windy. Put on our ponchos over our jackets, which helped a lot. We wanted to go to see Napolean's Tomb, but it was too late in the day. Walked around and through the Invalides building to the church where it's housed.

After stopping to pick up a bread baguette to munch on, we walked to the Champ de Mars park behind the Eiffel Tower. Today was the anniversary of its inauguration in 1889.

I'm sure we'll see it again and I'll take more pictures. Took a couple of buses to lower Montmartre and and walked around, checking it out. Saw the Moulin Rouge and many "related" shops. The area is very touristy. We stopped at a natural foods grocery to get something for dinner to take back to our hotel. We weren't sure where we'd eat so it was easier to buy something to take "home." My college friend (lawyer for Chevron now based in Paris with home in Houston) had called  (I had left a message for him while we were out.), with a message he'd call later. We spoke for quite awhile when he called. Made arrangements to meet tomorrow night for dinner. Haven't seen each other in more than 30 years!


Tomorrow morning...the Louvre...