Paris

We took the 200 mph train (coolest invention ever) to Paris.  The weather cooperated very well with us. Sunny days but not too hot. We spent our first day resting at the Eiffel tower. Honestly, the tower is cool, but we don't really understand how it became the biggest tourist icon in the world.  Nevertheless the lawns in front of the Eiffel Tower provide a great place to rest.

Last semester we took a music history class and studied the music of Chopin. We were able to visit his grave. He is buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery. We consider this a 'must see' for anyone coming to Paris. The place is full of old beautiful graves and few tourists.

 

 

Back in  downtown Paris we found ourselves to be just two of the billions of ravenous tourists, hungry to see everything. As fun as these places are, the amount of people jammed into the museums makes it a less pleasant experience. Nontheless we loved wandering around this old old place.

 

At the Palace of Versailles we found ourselves smashed up against huge group of mainly over-zealous Chinese folks with expensive cameras. We marveled at the sight of people crawling over each other taking photos of paintings. Yes I know, everyone does it..But why? Why would you compete with one  thousand other people who all fight for the space in front of the Mona Lisa just to get a photo of the painting when google image carries a high resolution scan of the same painting? After discovering this silly tendency we put the camera away and giggled at the countless photo zealots that roam the halls of these museum. 

Versailles--in our opinion--was too built up and while splendid and grand, nightmarish queues made the experience good but not great.  

We loved Notre Dame more on the outside than the inside.  This masterpiece is not only a breathtaking illustration of Gothic architecture, but also a romantic building. We spent hours just walking around it.

Our favorite visit was Sainte Chapelle. Again, a place with little tourists. But beyond that, Sainte Chapelle has a very solemn and reverent air about it. The stained glass walls let the light seep in with magnificent color and tone. Another must see!

On top of the Arc de Triomphe, we caught the sunset. Paris from above is easily the most beautiful city we have ever seen. After a long day of museums and monuments we got to relax and take in this amazing view.

One night we went around and gathered cheeses, meats, bread, etc for a nice picnic. We've found that gathering ingredients at various shops and markets is not only extremely fun, but affordable as well. After purchasing enough to stuff ourselves, we continued on our way to the Eiffel Tower.

Here's us at our 600th boulangerie (bakery) picking up supplies.

We perched ourselves on the lawn in front of the Eiffel tower for several hours just talking and wondering if life gets any better.

 

Stop 601 at the boulangerie 

Almost done with Europe,

I&J