Longs Walks and Long Stairs

One of the benefits of living in the Montmarte area is that we have lots of nearby restaurants and bakeries.  One of the downsides is that we have lots and lots of stairs to climb to get to them.  It's not that bad, but yesterday, I had to dig a little deeper.

We started our our day by heading down to the Louvre.  We visited the galleries and saw so many works that are of a sort as to be the focus of a lesser collection.  It seems that there is no prohibition of photography of any kind in the museum.  The result is that you can pose with the Mona Lisa, The Venus Di Milo, Michelangelo's Dying Slaves, or whatever else you would like.  So, people generally elbow their way up to the works, turn their back on it, strike a pose, pause to throw another elbow in the back of the unworthy traveler there to see the priceless treasures of humanity, and have their picture before they venture off for their next photograph.  Hence, I have no pictures of myself with art or in the Louvre and I generally think photography should be banned and those who persist in taking these idiotic photos drug out in the street, and before they are shot, they should have their elbows filed completely off.  Despite this, we enjoyed the Louvre and had a very nice time.  Emily was, as usual an excellent tour guide.

About half way through the day, we ducked out for lunch.  The city of Paris gained a few points back from its deficit due to wretched signs, transport that defies logic and late opening tourist shops.  In a public park near the Louvre, where Emily found us lovely sandwiches, the city provides public ping-pong tables.  I advise that on this point alone, America take note.

After the Louvre, we trekked down the Champs-Élysées, which is only 1.5 miles, but felt like quite a bit more through the beautiful, but soft and muddy Tuileries Garden and then played dodge-em people through the retail district.  There were some lovely views and we stood in front of the Arc de Triomphe as yet another shower moved in over Paris.  Kudos to the Paris Metro (do I have to?) for having a stop right there that took us home for some much needed R&R before dinner, up the hill.

More wonderful views to be had on top of Montmartre before heading back home to collapse into bed.

Today we have another exciting day to meet up with friends, get great food, see great things... oh la la!  Look at the time!  I'll check in tomorrow.

Oh but before I go. We're both enjoying Paris - but would have loved to be with our Dads today.  Happy Father's Day to our Dad's who brought us up right, even though we abandoned them for Paris. We'll be home to celebrate you soon.