Paris - Day five

The revenge of the all access pass. And once again, a combination of the bus system and lots of walking to move us around.

Notre Dame: We started our day back at Notre Dame determined to go make friends with the Chimeras on the roof top. While Hal held a place in the line, Anna took some exterior shots of the church. Pictures below show our time in Quasimodo's world. Most of the pictures show Chimeras, which are depictions of a monster or mythical being. These are not to be confused with gargoyles, which are protruding features designed to drain rainwater. The one bell we were able to view is named Emmanuel and his the largest bell, an F#, and is only rung on Catholic high holidays. We did hear other bells pealing in the north tower, but they were not visible to us.








































After our tour, we took a stroll in the garden at the front of Notre Dame.









Sainte-Chappelle: After a very Parisian lunch (croque-monsieur, French onion soup, and pommes des frites), we mad our way over to Sainte-Chappelle. While Hal waited in line, Anna went to explore Pontiac Neuf ("the new bridge" created in the 1600s. S-C was built 1242-1248 (quicker than the 200 years to build Notre Dame) and was a royal chapel that held relics from the Passion of Christ, including the crown of thorns that cost more to accrue than the overall cost of the chapel. In the upper chapel, the 1,113 scenes depicted in the 15 stain glass windows tell Bible stories from Genesis to Christ's resurrection.
















Our next four stops were Musee de l'Armee, Napoleon's tomb (and Josephine's tomb), the relief map museum and Hotel Des Invalides.














Our last stop for the day was the Louvre. As you know, we are not art connoisseurs, so after touring a remake of Napoleon III's apartment we went to see the Mona Lisa. After a quick, yep, that's her alright, we passed some Da Vinci works, the French crown Jewels, and Winged Victory on the way out. May not seem like a lot, but the two items we wanted to see were spaced out a great deal, so that quick tour took 90 minutes alone.


Some other photos from the day.





























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Paris: Day four

All access pass: We have a two day pass that gives us free entry to over 60 attractions and free public transportation. Although we still aren't feeling the best, today and tomorrow are the best days for us to use the pass. All adventures from today come from access given via the pass.

Transportation: Although we had opportunities for multiple modes of transport we kept to the buses throughout the day. The second level of the bus is open-aired and we were able to further establish our bearings. Tomorrow we may use the metro more.

Notre Dame: We went into the main level and around the outside. The line was too long to climb the tower, but we did hear the bells toll.

























Saint Chappelle: Line was too long (for those of you who don't know, Anna doesn't do lines). No pictures.

Crypte archeologique du Parvis de Notre Dame: Brief underground tour that showed various walls and dwelling from some of the earliest inhabitants of Paris (the Parvis) and later groups who lived there (I.e. Romans, Normands, etc.).




Musee d'Orsay: The modern art museum. Saw works by Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and Rodin. Pictures not allowed to be taken inside.

Musee Rodin: Toured the sculptor's house and garden while viewing his works in each.








Arc de Triomphe: Returned to the Arc. This time we viewed a military ceremony that took place under the Arc and climbed the 286 steps to the roof for a 360 view of Paris.


















Musee des Monuments francais: A unique collection of church entryways and sculptures saved before the churches were set to be destroyed because they were too old to be used safely. No pictures allowed.

Other photos from the day:




















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Paris: Day three

Paris: Day three

Not much to report today. Anna and I are both sick (thank you little girl on the plane coughing behind us), achy (bed and pillows are not great; anna has a neck ache and Hal has back pain), and tired (still haven't kicked jet leg and find ourselves awake at night.

This morning we took a walk around the Eiffel Tower. In the afternoon we sat at a cafe where Hal had a lemon presse (akin to 7-up). We thought the sign said free Internet at the cafe, but that was not the case. We have since figured out that when we buy minutes from the hotel, we can log in and use them from any location that has the Wi-Fi symbol.

Not having had anything to eat all day we went to a cafe for dinner. Let's recount all the ways I offended the French, particularly our waiter: We had dinner at 5:30pm (one waits until at least 7pm to order dinner), we only had one course (at least two should be ordered in the evening), we requested tap water (no mineral water? no wine?), I had my elbows on the table, I held my fork in the right hand with the tines up, and I only ate half my plate (desolez Monsieur, je sues un peu malade).

I led Anna astray in the pharmacy earlier today. Instead of buying her cough drops, I purchased her laxatives. Once I figured that out, we went to the next pharmacy (a half a block away) and got her the cough drops she really wanted.

Our hope is that we feel better by tomorrow to make full use of the sights.


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