The air was cool but the sun was shining and warm when we headed out for todays adventures. We walked to the metro station, bought a pack of 10 tickets and took the number 8 and transferred to the number 10 pink line to the Odeon station and then began the day of walking and sightseeing. As the sun was out on this beautiful Sunday; so was every tourist in the city, along with every Pairisian, their kids, their inlaws and their dogs were out too! It was busy. We made our way to the Jardins du Luxembourg. The former palace is now home to the state ministry and the 22 acres of maniured gardens contain over 80 statues, fountains and pond that kids love to sail small wooden boats in. It also boasts a running track along the edge. We must have seen 500 joggers while we were there. Everyone jogs it seems. Young, old, in fancy speedo- like gear or in slacks and sweaters! Come to think about it you are hard pressed to find a local who is overweight. Lots of people smoke, they definitely drink lots of wine and cafe and cheese and bread are as important as oxygen, but they all seem to look pretty damn good in this city. My muffin top figure if not my butchered french are a dead giveaway I am but a visitor.The Luxembourg Gardens are beautiful and we thought with Berts Luxembourg heritage it would be fun to visit 'his' palace. PS The estate is not in Luxembourg or part of the country but it has the same name. It was perfect and lots of families were enjoying it too.
From there we walked along the Seine to the Notre Dame. It was very busy with a local fundraising event out front with the lineup for tours of the tower hundreds deep and squishy. We opted to admire from the outside gardens and read our fact book. It was built in 1165 and its gargoyles and peaks and black pollution stained stones have managed to survive all this time. You think we have aqcuired new techniques and expertise in architecture and development in the last 100 years but when you see a building; 1000 years old,still standing, still being used by thousands of people each day, you realize the depth of the history in architecture in this city and the brilliance of the human capabilities more than a thousand years ago to build it and to preserve it.
We sat in a corner sidewalk nearby after, I had a cafe au lait, Bert a Checkoslavakian beer and popcorn. It was noisy, frantic with stylish skinny pedestrians, zooming souped up scooters and buzzing smart cars and black peugots. Like watching an action thriller unfold in front of your eyes.Later we ventured back on the underground metro and collapsed in our room before heading out for dinner next door at the outdoor cafe and then headed back to the Eiffel tower at 9pm.
Bert had convinced me I would regret not riding the elevator to the top, or more so Tim would rile me to no end if I didnt. So we stood in line and crammed our way with every other tourist to the top in 3 seperate lift rides....you wait in line 20 minutes each time by the way. The view was no better than the 2nd floor we had walked to the night before with no crowds I may add but I can say, yes, we did it and Bert and I cuddled and snuggled to keep warm as we waited in line.....so qui.....it was worth the 13euro. Another big day. Tres bien
