Meandering Down the Seine

Today, I woke up late and then got a call from some friends to meet them at the Musee d'Orsay. So I got out of bed, threw some clothes on, and left for the museum. It was about 1:30 when I got there, and I was so excited to use my new Carte Jeune (youth pass), which gives me access to the museum for free and I get to cut the long lines waiting to get in. IES gave that to me for free. The lines were so long, and I would have been standing outside for an hour if I didn't have this card.

I quickly met up with my friends and we went to a special Picasso exhibit where he drew and painted a bunch of pictures that were all interpretations of one Degas painting. They had the Degas painting there, too, so you could compare the original to Picasso's versions.

After Picasso, we wandered some more, and I found the Monet painting where the women are walking through a field of poppies. Very famous! I also spoke French to a docent and he told me about the sculptures in the main hallway. He was so impressed that an American spoke French.

I didn't see many things, because I decided not to stay long at the museum. I love this card, because now I can go to the museum at my leisure, and I don't have to cover everything in one day. So I left after about a half hour and went on my own to try out the new walking tour cards I bought before leaving for Paris. They are 50 individual cards, where each has a different walking tour. I decided to try it out and picked up the tour of the the Seine. No doubt, the card was worth it! I got to learn some history, as well as see some wonderful sights, and get to know the Latin Quarter better. Also, I enjoyed my time alone, wandering along side the quiet river, stopping to sit on a bench and admire the Notre Dame on the other bank.

After my walking tour, I went back home, but first I went to the grocery store and bought a pizza to throw in the oven and I got some pesto to put on my spaghetti for tomorrow's dinner. This weekend, my host family is in the country, except for their son, Charles-Henry, so it has been pretty quiet here. Tonight I'm staying in and reading. Maybe I'll do some grammar homework. Tomorrow, I'm headed back to the Notre Dame because it is the first Sunday of the month so everything is free in Paris. The Notre Dame tour will be free, as well as all the museums and other churches. A few friends and I are going to meet at the Notre Dame at 10am, then we're going to another church. I forgot which one. We'll skip the Louvre tomorrow, because we get in free any day, and I'd rather go when there are less crowds.

Well, another day in Paris, and I still feel like I'm living in a fairy tale. It is such a grand town, indeed. Everything is how I pictured it, but probably even more beautiful.

Leah