Two Americans in Paris, Day Three

Saturday the 7th was our third day in Paris, and we were both excited because we knew we would be able to meet up with my cousin Laura later that day. We started our morning by getting some delicious croissants from the bakery down the street and then walking to the metro to ride to the Arc de Triomphe. It was another cloudy, gray morning but as we stepped out from the metro entrance and that grand monument was before us, a few sprinkles didn't matter. We took the underpass to actually reach the monument (a massive round-about keeps it rather isolated from foot traffic) and marveled at our own smallness.

After paying our respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we stepped into the right base of the arch and made the 284 step climb to the top. We had to stop about mid-way for a breather, and a few others joined us. Finally we reached the top, or rather the bookstore. They are in the midst of renovating, but we sat and rested a few minutes while viewing the dried palms they have on the walls (saved from the tomb below). After a few more flights of stairs, we were overlooking what I imagine is one of the grandest cities in the world. We had wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower and Sacre-Coeur and all of Paris, really. We soaked in the scenery for awhile, and then made the dizzying climb back down.

From the Arc de Triomphe, we strolled down the Champs-Elysees (not impressed much) where we passed store after store. We did make a stop at the GAP, where I hoped to purchase a pair of ballet flats that were all the rage over there, but no such luck. We finally made it to the Place de la Concorde, where thousands lost their heads to the guillotine and where city workers were setting up massive bleachers for Bastille Day celebrations to be held on July 14. After making our way across the busy intersection, we entered the lovely Tuileries Garden, where we had hoped to lazily stroll and relax. The weather turned on us though, so we stopped at an outdoor cafe and ate a lunch in which Jason's sandwich cost 5,40 euro and his coke 6,50. Who knew soda could cost more than a meal?!

After lunch we headed to one of the city's most famous sites: the Louvre. Justing standing in the square surrounded by the grand palace and facing the modern pyramid made us feel a little like Tom Hanks in The DaVinci Code. But just a little. :) We entered through the pyramid and took the escalators down into madness. There were sooo many people! At this point of the trip, we were getting a little museum-ed out so we decided to see the highlights and leave the rest for another time. Due to Jason's handy map reading skills, we were able to see Venus de Milo which is an actual Greek statue (not a Roman copy), and Winged Victory. From there we headed to the granddaddy of them all, the Mona Lisa. She hangs on her own wall in a big room, and is covered by bulletproof glass. I fought my way to the front...and decided I was a little disappointed. The painting itself is actually quite small (if comparing it to others in the museum). After spending what seemed like forever finding and then waiting for a bathroom, we toured some rooms on ancient Rome and Egypt and finally finished by viewing Michelangelo's Slaves. We had seen his unfinished Prisoners in Florence, so it was cool to see the finished product here.

From the Louvre, we followed the Seine as the sun was coming out on our way to meet up with Laura and Karen and Harry. It was a nice walk and the sun lifted our travel-weary spirits. Rainy weather can take a lot out of a person in a foreign city meant to be seen on foot. We made it to our meeting point about half an hour early, so we people-watched until I saw familiar-looking females headed our way. I walked over and Karen and Laura and I talked excitedly, as would anyone meeting up in a city as grand as Paris. After some hello hugs, the five of us found a cafe and ordered ice cream and caught up. It was soo good to see them!

After some discussion, we all decided to walk to the Luxembourg Gardens through the Latin Quarter. It was good to hand the reins over to someone else for awhile. Jason and Harry chatted while us girls did as well. We stopped to look at a few cool cars that Karen and Harry recognized and finally made it to the gardens --- which were lovely. We found a nice place to sit and Laura called my mom with her cell. It was crazy to be hanging out with Laura IN PARIS. :)
From the gardens we decided we'd split up, but Jason and I convinced them to ride the metro to their next stop, the Eiffel Tower (and besides, I don't think Laura or Harry's feet could hold out much longer!). So we helped them figure out the metro system, and the five of us were able to ride together part of the way. I hadn't planned on having to say my goodbyes to Laura in a crowded metro, but I think it worked out better in the end because there was no time for tears. Jason took a quick picture of us, and then we had to get off. After walking BACK to our transfer spot due to construction, we finally made it to Rue Cler.

We ate another delicious meal at Cafe du Marche (fried duck for Jason, steak for me) and then headed over to the Eiffel Tower around 9:30 PM. As we were walking, we heard these people say "Hey we know you!" We turned, and saw this great couple that we had met on the train in Switzerland. He had had a Gonzaga hat on, so we struck up conversation and discovered they were both in the Education program and studying in Florence for the summer. They were so cool, and now we were seeing them in Paris! We struck up conversation like travelers would, and the four of us made our way to the Eiffel Tower.

The Tower, as Jason called it, was so amazing to see in person. The sun was set, darkness was descending, and the four of us got in some great photo opportunities. Then at exactly 10 PM, as I was snapping a picture of our new friends, the tower exploded into sparkling lights. It was sooo pretty! We walked down to the base of it to climb up (the sucker is really HUGE in person and up close and personal) and were bombarded with insanely long lines. We decided not to wait in line. Instead, we attempted to catch a boat cruise, but we just missed it. So we walked back to our hotel, constantly turning around to view one of the most romantic sights probably on earth. All in all, it was a good day.