After we left the Eiffel Tower Monica led us to the Louvre. She told us about how long she had been living in Paris (Monica was German) and more about herself. She also told us some history of the Louvre. You could tell she really enjoyed what she was doing.
Oh, I almost forgot. Between the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre we took a boat ride down and back up the Seine. We didn’t have time to go in Notre Dame but the view from the river was amazing.
Let me just say, the entrance to the Louvre is beautiful. People can say what they want. I thought the the pyramid was very impressive. And I actually think it goes really well with the historical buildings around it. A nice contrast.
Monica wasn’t allowed to lead us through the museum because she wasn’t certified for that so she stayed with us while we bought our tickets, showed us on a map which street to walk down to catch the bus back to the train station and then bid us good-bye.
Inside the Louvre was just like imagined it and yet it was somehow even better. We saw the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo and so many other wonderful things. The whole time I saw walking around those oh so long hallways I wished I had more time to spend there. I definitely have to go back some day.
We left the museum and started walking toward the Opera House to catch the bus. Thank goodness I didn’t have to use my rusty spoken French while in Paris, but I was surprised to know that I could read it pretty well. That came in handy when we stopped for a late lunch. We had time so we ducked into a bistro and got sandwiches. I could read the ingredients so I was able to successfully avoid things I don’t like.
The bus got us back to Gare du Nord with some time to wait before our train so we had plenty opportunity to engage in one of my favorite hobbies, people-watching.
Mom and I had planned on sleeping during the train ride back to London. In the seats facing us were two American women, across from us were an American couple and two British guys. All of us were on our vacations, or our holidays depending on where you’re from. The four of us got to talking, comparing trips and cultural quirks. When the train pulled in at London we were all surprised the trip had gone so quickly.
We rode the Tube back to our hotel and after being going constantly since early that morning we were dead on our feet. I was asleep right after my head hit the pillow. And there’s another trip tomorrow.
Have fun!
