Despite not feeling quite the same sense of urgency, there's something about seeing others trying to squeeze huge Paris into a tiny time period that has given me a jump start on the sight seeing (because I am nothing if not organized...)
Yesterday we set off early and walked through the Jardin des Tulieries (note: never walk through this garden in tourist season, which is pretty much always. It is SO busy you could barely call it a garden. More like an impromptu flash mob where everyone stands round and takes photos of each other while getting in other people's way. Very well choreographed.)
We sped through(of course snapping a quick photo of the bizarre statue that features a man with a cow head lying at the feet of a man who's penis has been broken off. Now something of a tourist activity and a personal favourite of mine.)
We arrived at the Musee de l'Orangerie and were met with a lengthy queue. Despite it still being early in the morning a mighty line had already developed, which is bizarre as it is well known that the lines normally begin in the afternoon. Nevertheless, we were there, so we waited. And boy, was that a regret. We ended up standing in a slowly moving line, outside in the freezing temperatures that made how ever many thick layers of clothing feel like you were wearing a bikini in Antarctica. About 40 minutes later when we reached the entree, I could barely feel my fingers, it looked like I had gone goth with my lipstick choice and my face was bearing the marks of wind chill on the descent from Everest. I was cold.
The Musee turned out to be tiny but pretty cool. It held Monet's Water Lilies and he actually designed the rooms himself which were set out to enhance the viewing experience of the viewer. The paintings were actually massive and filled two rooms. It was quite trippy because looking up close it seemed like a child's drawing, or even worse, something I could do. But when you step back or sit on the seat in the middle of the room, perfect distance back from the paintings and with a view of all of them, they were quite amazing. What looked like silly, random strokes actually became an impressive peice of artwork when viewed from further away, which may have more to do with my eyesight than the clever skill of Monet's artwork organization.
Today I headed up the Arc de Triomphe which I had never done before and was much like walking up the Notre Dame in that the spiral staircase went forever, made me dizzy and by the time I reached the top I forgot where I was and what I was doing.
Despite this, when you reach the top and look out over everything, a whole city with the most tangible feeling of magic and excitement, it is overwhelming.
The view was awesome! The view of Paris from above never gets old. It was incredible to be able to look all the way down the Champs Elysees towards the temporary Christmas ferris wheel, through the Tulieries and towards the Louvre. In the opposite direction the rue leads straight to La Defense and all the tall buildings that look like another land. The people looked like little black ants, all rugged up in their winter coats and looked comical when watching them try and cross the road to the Arc de Triomphe while dodging the wayward cars.
Other than this, things have become pretty hectic now. New Years Eve tomorrow will probably take place under the Eiffel (with the millions) followed by a trip to Champs Elysees where the parties take place (apparently...)
On Tuesday, we're off north to the wine tasting region of Champagne to visit Reims! Should be a day shrouded in dizziness and fun. Then on the 5th, N and I head off on our whirlwind tour to Belgium, Norway, Britain and Ireland!!
Excited. Is an understatement.
Here are some snaps of ice skating outside Hotel de Ville...
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