France - Paris - Day 2

11-05-2011

As I write this we are on the metro going back , it is past midnight. Our first metro ride was around eight this morning.

Notre Dame, the gothic architectural chapel was the start. Visiting cathedrals in the morning is good, few people and no rush to go elsewhere ( all the other areas generally haven't opened). It's gargoyles are actually decorated gutters but there are numerous statues of scary looking creatures as well. We came back later, stood in a long cue and climbed the towers. I like being on the outside of the top of cathedrals, it is a whole different view. Also visited it's crypts, not very interesting for us but was free on the museum pass so had a peek.

Museum de Orse took up the morning. Loved it. Not being an art buff I am surprised at how much we both enjoyed it. Had a podcast of the museum ( Rick Steve's) with us and that made things easy as there is so much to see. Learned about impressionist and post impressionist art and quirky things about the artists.

Saint Chapelle was next ( stand in the security line for Palace of Justice, way quicker ). Initially could not understand the hype about it's stained glass windows, felt we had seen better, only to realize we were on the wrong level. On getting up the stairs it was easy to see why they are considered the best in the world. Absolutely beautiful. The way the sunlight comes through makes this chapel special. Interesting fact about stained glass windows, different colours of glass are soldered together rather than a piece being painted upon.

Decided to skip the other things on the agenda and head for the Louvre. Took advantage of it being opened till ten today. Again Rick Steve's podcast along with a list of must see things made it a little easier to navigate the place. Even then it was overwhelming, our four and a bit hours was a drop in the ocean. It was great to see the Mona Lisa up close, the crowd in the evening was not too bad. Had an article about it on the iPad and noticed how the picture there somehow cannot capture the essence of the original. By the way Mona Lisa has no eyebrows or eyelashes.

By this time we were tired but decided to get to the top of Eiffel tower. The Eiffel tower is amazing when it is lit up, really beautiful. Somehow we became energetic again, the tiredness was forgotten. The cue waiting for the ticket is misleading, that is the easiest bit to navigate. The view from the second floor is wonderful but the one from the top is breathtaking . We were in t-shirts and shorts, freezing but still enjoying ourselves. The elevator from the second floor to the top gives you a good view as you go up, my feet were trembling slightly. On the way down we were sure we would miss the metro as we had to wait for a long time. The sprint to the station got us just in time, managed the second last one for the day.

Been such a lovely day but so tiring, may have to take it easier tomorrow.







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