I'm so tired!

We were in bed early last night- by 10:30, and thought that would cure the jet lag.  Well we totally slept in today and didn't wake until 9:30am!  This meant a pretty late start to all we had planned- so we quickly got ready and headed out.  Our first stop was Pere Lachaisse the cemetery at the end of our street.  We headed in under some pretty dark storm clouds and a few sprinkles (we were to be dodging the rain all day!)  There are over 100 acres to this graveyard and about 70,000 occupants.  But none as famous as Jim Morrison- we followed the crowds and there we were.  It is the only grave with 2 guards and tons of flowers on it out of the 1000's in there.  (We did not know until we looked it up tonight that he actually died July 3, 1971- what are the chances we would visit his grave on the anniversary of his death?!!)  We spent a little more time looking around- but as we had a lot on the agenda we left and caught the metro to our next stop if the day- The Louvre.

We arrived to more rain and some pretty dark clouds.  The line up to get in was horrendous, thank goodness for Michelle's advise to look for the side entrance.  We started off on the wrong side!  Asking a guard he had no idea and pointed us to the masses lined up!  Then we found someone who gave us a map and saw it was to the left facing the Louvre.  We entered via the Rue de Rivoli and there was only a short line up for the bag check- we were in.  OMG there were so many people and it was so hot- I don't know how they keep the temperatures cool enough to preserve all that artwork.  We followed the thongs of people to the wing that held the Mona Lisa- urg did I mention so many people.  After halls of some impressive art we found her in all her glory!  It took a little pushing and shoving but we got a front row view.  Far more impressive is the huge painting of the last supper opposite her- but what do I know?

Frank wanted to visit the Egypt wing after that and so we headed in that direction.  The crowds thinned out and we were able to enjoy this MASSIVE collection of Egyptian artifacts at a good pace. We were so happy we had packed a lunch and didn't have to worry about grumbling stomachs hurrying us along.  Egypt ended in the medieval wing- or the foundation of the Louvre. A quick jaunt to the Greek wing and a siting of the Venus de Milo were all we could muster for one museum visit.  Lucky for us a Starbucks coffee gave us a boost for the rest of the afternoon (although it was already 5pm by this time!)

Heading out of the Louvre we were aiming for a stroll through the Jardin des Tuilleries, but a wind storm and promise of more rain sent us looking for the covered passage we were looking for. A wrong turn along Seine confused and disorientated  us but soon figured it out.  It also allowed a siting of Thom Yorke strolling walking the banks of the Seine.  (I'll wait for you to google him :))
We passed the massive Ferris wheel and on to the Palais Royal.  The girls spent some time enjoying the stripped columns at the Cour d'Honner in the Palais Royal.  We ambled through the gardens and window shopped some of the expensive boutiques along the way.

Finally ending up at the rue de Vivienne and the covered passage which housed the first "shopping malls" as it were.  We were a little late so most thing were closing up. It was pretty neat to see though.  By this time were were hungry and surrounded by very expensive bistros.

We decided to head back to the Latin quarter as we loved it there and knew there were tons of reasonable places to eat.  We hopped on the tube and in 5 stops we were there. The metro is awesome - it costs E1.80 per person to go underground on as many tubes as you want.  So although it costs us E6.80 each time we go somewhere it is a lot cheaper than taxis and pretty darn efficient. Exiting at Chatelet we had to walk across the Ile de La Citie to get to the LQ, we passed by the Palais de Justice enroute and there were a ton of people standing facing the huge fence and gates. We asked a girl standing there what was up- she said that 2 months ago a gay activist who opposes the banning of gay marriage was arrested at a peaceful demonstration and apparently there are constantly people outside this area all in protest of his arrest.
For dinner we hit a French bistro- Danica and I really wanted a fondue for dinner, Frank and Delaney were not as adventurous and had steak and pasta accordingly.  Dinner was followed up by a Nutella crepe for dessert. Love the creperies all over the place.

Two tube lines and we were back at our stop Voltaire and home by 10pm!
It is going to be tough to leave this city as there is still so much to see and do, we will just have to come back.