Five Times Over the Seine

I set out for Paris this morning and decided to take bus #72 instead of the metro. My host mother had recommended it to me my second day but I had yet to feel adventuresome enough to take it. Anyway the bus goes through my suburb and then through the 16th arrondisement and follows the Seine into the heart of Paris. This basically means that you get awesome views of all the big tourist sights, aka amazing Eiffel Tower photo opportunity. But alas I wasn’t feeling touristy enough to start snapping photos in the bus, but maybe next time.

I got off right by the Pont d’Alexander III, a really ornate pretty bridge. Walked across took lots of pictures of the bridge and the Eiffel Tower from the bridge. From the other side of the bridge you are smack in front of les Invalides, so I took pictures of that as well. Then I went back across and walked by what I thin was the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, but haven’t verified that. There was a huge line to get into one of them and I saw a sign that said something about biannual antiques… I will have to investigate further. My walk along the Seine took me to Place de la Concorde and many more pictures ensued between the Obelisk, fountains, Champs Elysée and la Madeline. It just wasn’t the same there without my French group from high school and Mme. Sowar though. After that I took the Pont de la Concorde across the Seine and ended up at the National Assembly – think our capital building. Took some more pictures and wandered back behind it and down a side street and then back up to the Musée d’Orsay. I didn’t really have time to actually go in the museum, but I figure I’ve got all semester to go at least twice. I then went back across the Seine and into the Tulleries Gardens, which are in front of the Louvre. I made a quick detour into the Louvre to use their “facilities.” I tried to find the entrance that take you directly to the “Carousel du Louvre” – the shopping part instead of museum part – but sadly I couldn’t remember where the entrance was and only found the entrance for special groups. So alas I had to wait in line and go through the main entrance at the pyramid. After that I deviated from my guidebook’s instructions slightly and went around the other side of the Louvre on the rue de Rivoli and around the backside. I then headed back to the Seine and took the Pont des Arts back across. Next time I will have to actually take the Pont de Neuf, but the Pont des Arts gives you the ability to take pictures of the Pont de Nuef and the island. After stopping to admire the Institute of France (now on my short list for the Jour du Patrimone) I took a street that was lined with art galleries (sadly not my preferred style of art, but none the less made interesting window shopping) and headed towards my metro shop.

This afternoon I accompanied my host mother to the event at the Mayor’s office. They have two days where all of the clubs and organizations in town set up tables and people can come and get info about the activities. Her golf club had a table and she needed to go collect the checks they had received. We meandered around a little and I saw there is at least one if not two places to take figure skating lessons, so I might look into that. The evening was quiet… I did my homework finally and read a little more. Now it’s time for me to go to bed, I have class at 9am which means I have to leave at 8:15am!

If you click the title of this entry it will take you to an album of my photos from today!