Given the weather, I braved the Metro and rode over to Montmartre. Either the Parisian wayfaring is improved, my French is better, or because I am not on a schedule of any kind - getting around seems much easier. I hiked up to Sacre Coeur and enjoyed the view and the church. Took my first non-mirror selfie. Could be better, could be worse.
Then I Metro'ed again over to the Arc de Triomphe. Trish suggested wandering the Champs Elysee for Christmas decor. So down I walked. They've gone high tech with LED lighting on the trees. Still pretty subdued until you get to Franklin D. Roosevelt when Noel-fever takes over. I just kept going through the Tulleries and, on a whim, tried to sneak into Notre Dame before closing time. I made it by 15 minutes, accidentally catching the end of mass. I was disappointed that the Rose Window wasn't lit up, but I enjoyed the quietness of the mass-going people over the usual tourist hubbub. And I still reek of incense.
Then I Metro'ed again over to the Arc de Triomphe. Trish suggested wandering the Champs Elysee for Christmas decor. So down I walked. They've gone high tech with LED lighting on the trees. Still pretty subdued until you get to Franklin D. Roosevelt when Noel-fever takes over. I just kept going through the Tulleries and, on a whim, tried to sneak into Notre Dame before closing time. I made it by 15 minutes, accidentally catching the end of mass. I was disappointed that the Rose Window wasn't lit up, but I enjoyed the quietness of the mass-going people over the usual tourist hubbub. And I still reek of incense.
I see no tour Eiffel in your picture, but perhaps you meant you could see it, not we could see it from your picture. Today was moderately damp, with a promise of more wind and rain, and general Seattle weather tomorrow. I finished the book Wendy loaned me...the author really captured the essence of Seattle culture and the issues we have--humorlessly. Also, that's why you were meeting a penguin yesterday.
ReplyDelete