The Louvre

Everyone slept late this morning after enjoying the evenings late festivities. Everyone was up, showered and dressed by noon. My mother decided her legs were bothering her and she did not go. We were familiar with the transportation needed as we did the same route as last night. We arrived at the museum at about 1:30pm. The crowds were manageable and we went through the pyramid entrance with no problems.

We headed straight to see Mona. There was a crowd of people there to see her but it wasn't difficult to get up to the front for a view. There were signs everywhere not to use your cameras but no one seemed to pay attention to them, and the employees made no motions to ask people to stop. I explained to Victoria she would be seeing this picture in books, classes and whatnot and she should respond to her experiences in ways other than "I saw that and you didn't." She practiced a bit while we walked around. She did very very well and was interested in the art. Ten years old seems to be a good age to bring your child to Europe.

We viewed Venus de Milo, the Ancient Eypt room, Italian art, Greek antiques and a few other spots. There are a lot of stairs and walking required in the museum. We shopped a little and found nothing. We haven't really seen much of anything to purchase for souveniers here. I think you could visit this museum for a month and miss half of its contents. It's truly magnificent. I think touring the museum on your own would be the best way, at your own pace and admiring pieces you like rather than being hurried along. The truth is, all of us could only stand for so long and you have to be mindful of it otherwise you might spend an hour at Mona and another hour at Venus and be tired after only looking at two pieces!

We got back to the apartment after 6pm. All of a sudden my father became interested in the cruise. Some of his questions included, "Will we sit for dinner? We all sit at the same time? What time can I eat once we get on the ship? Why do we change restaurants if we are sitting with the same people? What do I have to wear to dinner?" Dad, why didn't you ask all of these questions before now, you can't really prepare differently now that we are packed! "I would have forgotten if I asked any earlier."

CNN is one of the few stations you can watch in English. I don't know why Victoria keeps watching Nickolodean in French with the volume up high. You won't understand it any better if it's louder. It's been a nice break from television. I finished the book Moira sent me: Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen. It's a pretty easy read, good for summer reading.

I like the people watching on the metro. I am still puzzled as to where all of the senior citizens are hiding. I haven't seen any real Parisian style of dress except to say their nails are impecceable. I haven't seen any crazy long nails that curl. There were not a lot of white sneakers being worn by people, but there were enough to feel comfortable wearing them. The weather was great temperature-wise but it did rain a bit each day we were here. My parents report all of the seniors are all in the supermarket. I think we have been to the store at least once a day since we got here. Tomorrow our plan is to visit Musee d Orsay. It would have been nice to have done more, but I have enjoyed soaking in the scenery, people and life in this residential neighborhood.

We have one more full day here and we leave Saturday morning for Barcelona. I uploaded my father's pictures and you may find them under Carl's Paris trip. I have done quite well using my Canon point and shoot. I have to spend a little more effort focusing and keeping things in perspective but I haven't taken out the SLR yet.