Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother’s Day!  This morning started out about 8 or so when we met Amy and Scott downstairs at the hotel for breakfast.  We had fresh baguettes, hard boiled eggs, cheese, juices and Nutella.   Leaving the hotel about 9 we again made our way underground to the subway and RER toward Notre Dame.  We arrived in time to enjoy Mass this Sunday morning.  We did sit in on a little of the service but heard much of the singing and scripture reading as we walked around the outside perimeter of the inside of the cathedral.  The congregation was separated from all the visitors but we could still hear and see much of what was going on.  It was very strange and a little unsettling to be walking around while the service was going on but much of the time we stood and listened or walked quietly.  There are big signs everywhere to  “Be Silent” and the crowds were very quiet.  It also was a little unsettling to see the little book stalls set up along the sides of the sanctuary selling post-cards, medals, etc.   We left during the sermon  and went outside the church.   It is a very beautiful building.  The courtyard of the church was packed with people all milling around, taking pictures and lining up to enter the building.  Scott and Sam went to the end of the courtyard to go down to the Crypt, where they saw archeological digs from the older cities on the same spot.  Amy and I got in line to climb the steps to the tower of the church.  We waited about 45 minutes to start our climb.  They only let about 20 people in every 15 minutes.  The steps were very, very steep and narrow as we turned up and up around the circular staircase.  We both were very out of breath and had sore knees by the time we reached the top…..approximately 300+ steps!   But the view was wonderful.  We were at the top with the gargoyles!   We did see one big old bell but opted to go back down before seeing the others.  It would have meant another 100 steps!  When we got back down to the ground we had to wait for Sam & Scott who had been off shopping for berets!

We then decided to eat lunch across the street from Notre Dame at a little crepe café.  Scott had a grilled ham and cheese sandwich ….the cheese was on the outside (with fries, of course) and the rest of us had savory crepes….Amy & I with chicken and Sam with ham.  Ours was served with a salad of greens and tomatoes.  Sam and Scott had cokes which cost 5.50 euro each (about $7 for a large glass)!

After lunch we walked down the street a couple of blocks to the Conciergerie.  It was a palace of the Capetian dynasty Charles V.  In the 14th century it became the law court instead.  By the end of the 18th century it housed many prisoners, including Marie Antoinette.  It was the last place she lived before her death.  We saw the place where her cell had been.   We then walked over to the church that was on the same grounds.  It is called the Saint Chapelle.   The stained glass windows in this building were absolutely gorgeous!   Windows completely surrounding the entire building.  The walls were windows of stained glass about 40-50 feet tall and telling the entire story of the Bible.

After leaving this building we got back on the RER to go down the river a short distance to the Museum d’Orsay. At one time this was the train station in Paris.  It has been converted to a museum.  We were all so tired by now that we really didn’t stay long enough to see much.  We did see one Monet, some Renoir, some Van Gogh, including his self-portrait and lots of Degas nudes!!  There were lots of sculptures also….way too many nudes!   I guess I really don’t appreciate art.  Just can’t get into it.  Leaving the museum we decided to hop on the two level tour bus and take a tour around the city.  We saw several sites we had already been to but also saw many we probably would never get to except by tour bus.  We did get to see the Arc de Triomphe again and circled around it to see all sides.  A couple of hours later, when the bus got back to Notre Dame we got off.  We walked on the bridge over the river to the Left Bank to the Latin Quarter where we found a nice little restaurant for supper.  Finishing up our meal --- after 2 hours --- we again took the subway back to our hotel.  Another late, late night………..but so worth it!   Thanks, Jenni, for skyping, even though it was late!