Well, we were in Paris, it was about time we went to an honest to goodness, big-time art museum. No, not the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay. We were tired from the events of the previous day, so we didn't get as early a start as we would have liked. As a result, by the time we got to the Musee d'Orsay, the lines were really long. Bruce was not going to stand for the that! While The Great Magnetic Wife, Lori and waited in line, Bruce went to see what he could do. He came back about ten minutes later with Museum Passes. These are great things to have in Paris. It gets you into most museums and a lot of top sights for one price, and you don't have to wait in the regular lines. It did take about another ten minutes to get past the security line, but we saved hours, I'm sure.
The Musee d'Orsay is most well know for its collection of impressionist paintings. They have a great collection that includes Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Degas, etc. All of the best are well represented. Here I am hanging out with Vincent.
After the museum we crossed the Seine and entered the Jardins Des Tuileries, another beautiful public park/garden. We were all hungry and there was an outdoor restaurant in the gardens that looked good. It was at this restaurant that we finally had the experience of that famous Paris attraction, the rude waiter. In truth, most Paris waiters are not overly friendly like we are used to in the states, but they are quite efficient. However, this particular waiter was just down right rude and not at all efficient. I'd hate to go all the way to France and not have a rude waiter story. At the least the restaurant had ketchup to go with their French fries.
After lunch Bruce had to go back to the hotel for a business call. The Great Magnetic Wife, Lori and I went to the Musee de l'Orangerie, located on the grounds of the Jardins Des Tuileries for more impressionist. However, less impressive impressionists.
The Great Magnetic Wife fondly remembered going to a very fancy gourmet shop called Fauchon the last time she was in Paris, so we walked up the Rue Royal to seek it out. It was really quite disappointing. Every thing certainly cost a lot of money, but we all expected to be awed by the food and we were not. The cheese shop in Fontainebleau was far more impressive.
We walked back to the hotel and saw four large fingers sticking up out of the bushes. I thought, "I know what those fingers need, a thumb, or at least a Thum.
About a quarter of a mile down we spotted a puppet theater. I had no idea what they were saying, being in French and all, but The Great Magnetic Wife, who loves all things puppets, assured me that it really wasn't funny. I believe her, because nobody in the audience seemed to be laughing.
We rested a bit and then went out again with the idea that we would go to the top of the Eiffel tower. Unfortunately the lines were even longer than when we were there earlier in the week and there was a sign that said the very top was closed. So we decided to skip the Eiffel Tower. Maybe next time.
On our way back we stopped at the Speed Rabbit Pizza on Avenue Kleber for a little supper to bring back to the hotel. We ordered what they call their "New York Pizza." Their version of a New York pizza has cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, chopped beef and pickles. It was really quite tasty, but I've certainly never had a pizza like that in New York.
After that fine New York pizza I watched a little snooker and went to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment