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We have had a busy three days. We are seeing many cities in a very short amount of time. The weather has been nicer here than in London. Overall, though, I like England better than here. The people are friendlier and it is definitely easier to get around. But Monday was a good day. We were gone from the hotel about 12 hours and busy the whole time.

We ate breakfast in the hotel. We had a croissant and a baguette each. Also jelly and/or butter. That was accompanied by a bowl of fruit cocktail. And of course tea for me and hot chocolate for the girls. The tea was a very good breakfast tea and the girls said the hot chocolate was the best they have had since home.

We went to the Louvre. The Louvre is a former royal palace built by Francis I. There are so many galleries and because we wanted to see so much we probably rushed through. We really needed several days for the museum. But, not really understanding what we were getting into we bought passes and signed up for an English language tour. We had to pay extra for the guided tour but it was worth it. The tour wasn’t until 2:00 so we decided to go out of the museum and come back.

We visited an open air market that had dozens of stalls. We did not have time to look at everything but I bought some scarfs for a very reasonable price. It has been windy and the scarfs will be a big help.

Then we returned for the tour. We got mixed up on returning and entered at a different entrance! We almost missed the tour but rushed in at the last moment. The tour was really good but exhausting. So many stairs!! After the tour we ate in the museum and then looked around more. It was exciting to see so many famous pieces like the Venus de Milo. When we saw the Mona Lisa we were surprised. It is really quite small; just 21 x 31 inches. They were not allowing any pictures to be taken of it although we were allowed to take pictures everywhere else. I can only guess that is to protect it from the light of the flashes. Trista tried to take a picture and was caught by the guards. They tried to take her camera but she dropped it into her purse and they let her go after a lecture in front of everyone.

Shortly before closing time they announced that due to a security concern we should go immediately to the nearest exit and follow the instructions of the staff. We wondered if something was going on or was this normal for closing and hurrying people along. It must have been normal because when we reached the ground floor the gift shops were open and they let us stay and spend our money.

When we left we went in search of the address we had for an internet cafe to make reservations for our plane and hotel in Scotland. We made several changes on the Metro and walked many blocks only to find no cafe. We were exhausted! We ended up just eating at a hamburger joint which was not very good. My burger was VERY rare. We waste so much time because the street signs here don’t make any sense. We are lost a lot.

We were able to take the RER back to a connecting point with the Metro and got back to our hotel about 9:30 or so. I hated to do it but called my husband to see if he could make any reservations for us. He said he would give it a try. Yeah!

Tuesday found us all tired and a little down after our big day. We ate breakfast at the hotel. The price is included with the hotel and it is quite good. Then we just rested for a while. We learned my husband could not make the reservations after all.
Finally we asked at the desk for an internet connection location (an English speaking clerk today). It was right around the corner after all our searching the day before. We spent a couple hours there but in the end found great flights on Ryanair. We will have to take a bus to another place (about 1.5 hours drive) but we got two of our flights for only $.01. Yes, just one penny plus taxes and fees. Unbelievable. Now I know why Europeans travel around so much.

We tried to go to the Picasso Museum but it is closed on Tuesdays. That was not mentioned in the tourist information. We then went to the Musee Carnavalert. It was a museum all about the history of Paris. It was good and explained many things. However, it was dim in many places and we could not take pictures in several places .

We had to change rooms at the hotel this evening. They figured out there were three of us in our party. We had not tried to hide this and had always been together when we asked questions or directions at the desk. We also ate breakfast together at the hotel where I had to sign a paper which required me to list how many people were eating. Apparently three people cannot stay in a room with two beds. We have had enough room but did not mind the change. They moved us to the fifth floor but still in the front of the hotel and we now have a peek-a-boo view of the Eiffel Tower from our room. Nice.

At dinner the menu was all in French and Chloe just took her chances. She ordered “potage du jour”. Found out later it was “soup of the day”. She got a bowl of orange mush. Sweet potato or squash soup! She ate more than I would have.

Today we visited Notre Dame Cathedral. It is located on the Ile de la Cite, which is an island in the Seine. We waited for today to come because we could have an English speaking tour guide. Our guide was an older woman who seemed to know everything about the cathedral and the whole area. I would have liked to spend a day or two with her. We began outside. We learned the cathedral was built between 1163 and 1250 in Gothic Style and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is especially noted for its flying buttresses and sculptured facade. She also took us all through the inside. There was so much to learn and see even though it is not a huge place. The tour took several hours.

We ate at a restaurant right across the street. It was busy and very expensive. As we attempted to pay our waiter we learned they did not take cards of any kind. We had to scrounge through our purses to find enough cash. I was a little worried for a bit there.

Our tour guide had also told us of a nearby chapel called Sainte-Chapelle. It was guarded by soldiers. It cost money, of course. Everything does to help with upkeep. We entered on the ground level and it was not very exciting. It contained a gift shop. We then climbed some very simple and uninspiring stairs. It was very much worth the money and the climb to the second floor. It was beautiful. The side walls were all very large stained glass windows. They depicted the Bible from creation until redemption with Christ. Wonderful!! This upper chapel had been used by the King and his family and close friends. The Crown of Thorns were kept here until the French Revolution when most of the building was torn down. The windows were also all taken out and stored in preparation of the Germans taking Paris in World War II.

This day was worth all the cold and wind.