Day Nine, June 12th.
We got up somewhat early and headed via the Metro down to the Eiffel Tower.
We got in line for tickets to the top. After about a 30 to 40 minute wait we were through the line and in the tram making our way up.
We got to the second level and it was a bit crowded to say the least. We got in line for the final elevator to the top. We stepped out to the crowded top platform and was able to see Paris from only a perspective that this amazing structure could give.
The louvre museum as seen from the top of the Eiffle tower.
All the massive structures that we have been seeing from the ground looked like toy miniatures. The vast vistas that was Napoleon dreams made into reality were more easily seen. After our Eiffel adventure we walked past the Les Invalides and across the Pont des Arts Bridge over the river Seine. We noticed all the locks and was told that it was lovers you write their names on the locks, lock them to the bridge and throw the key into the river. Of course there was a guys selling locks so we purchased one and locked our lock on to the bridge and threw away the key.
We made our way to Tuileries Garden where we got lunch at La Terrasse de Pomone . I had the Croque Monsieur (ham and cheese sandwich) and Needles the Special (a cold cut meat sandwich on french bread). We sat in the garden and soaked in the atmosphere all the while being eyed by the huge common wood pigeons awaiting an opportunity for a scrape of food. The group decided to split up to pursue different agendas so we went with Bernard our host past the Luxor Obelisk to Montmartre via the Metro at Concorde.
When we arrived we began to scale the multitudes of stairs not the funicular (tram) to get to the top of the hill and see Basilica of Sacre-Coeur and open air art booths. There were allot of portrait artists and several using different medias to showcase the sites of Paris. Montmarte is known as a bohemian art district which has seen characters in the past such as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Van Gogh. After our visit we made our way back to down the stairs which were much easier to navigate back to the Metro and to the Tuileries Garden.
We got some ice cream and a Volvic citron (citrus flavored water) and rested our feet on the park bench before we had to meet up with the other at the Louvre. We arrived at the Louvre and awaited the rest of the group as they were running a little late. We entered the Louvre through it iconic glass pyramid and down into the foyer. We made our way down the wings to the art and sculptures we wanted to see with our limited time there. This was a stop that I had been anticipating. The chance to see famous works of art that I had been seeing on television shows and in art books my whole life.
We got to see works like theVenus de Milo, the Mona Lisa and Raft of the Medusa to mention just a few. We saw works from Picasso, Rembrandt, De Vince, Rodin, Raphael, and Michelangelo. It was all very aw inspiring to be in the same room with these masterpieces. We only had an hour to spend in the museum since we had a scheduled diner in the Latin Quarter.We all got on the Metro to make our way to the Latin Quarter for Diner. The group was a little late in leaving so we were in a bit of a hurry to get to the restaurant. We all loaded onto a very busy metro car and unfortunately some of our group wasn't sure which stop to get off at so unwisely one of the gentlemen was yelling back in forth to the group which stop to get off at which in my opinion set up the following incident. By drawing attention to the group that we were tourists and what stop we were getting off at, I think he made us the prefect target for a pick pocket and two young girls pick pocketed two women in our group as they were exiting the metro. One of them only got their passport wallet pulled from their purse, but luckily it was attached with a lanyard and nothing got nicked. The other person however got their wallet lightened by we know at least 100 Euro or more. The group took the incident in stride and we continued on to our destination but a little more alert to who was around them. For diner we ate at Le Marmiton de Lutece and we both started with an avocado salad and for the main course, Needles had the beef bourguinon and I had the grilled turkey breast. For dessert Needles had the chocolate mousse and I and the creme brulee. We enjoyed our evening and headed back to where we started our day, the Eiffel tower to catch a night river boat ride up the Saine.
We got back to our hotel after 11pm and still had to prepare to head make to the states the next morning.
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