As we stepped off the train, we immediately recognized that the weather in Paris was as cranky about our American feet setting foot on French soil as the majority of it's citizens were. It was cold, windy and overcast. Fortunately we were too excited to be there to really notice much. We headed staight to our hotel to drop our stuff off. After doing so, we resorted to our American prioritization scheme and headed out in search of food. The measly train muffin and Apollo sandwich weren't really cutting it.
It felt like we walked a marathon before we found a place with wallet-friendly prices and English-friendly personnel. Eventually we settled an adorable place I really wish I could remember the name of because it was delicious! Definitely a top 5 meal of the entire trip and probably the best meal we ate in France (including Annecy and Chamonix).
When you're wandering in desperate search of food, it's always a good idea to take breaks to photograph things you don't know the names of.
I was obviously really excited to see some French architecture. I don't remember what building this is. Anyone who has been to Paris may know what it is though. It's near the square with all the expensive jewelry stores.
We downed our food at the first place way too fast for me to bother with pictures. I did think to take a picture of our little dessert trip though because it was too fabulous not to document. This is creme brule, cheesecake, raspberry awesomeness and an espresso. MMMMM.
Jake was a big fan of the raspberry dessert. Particularly sticking his nose into it.
With warm, fully bellies we set out to get our culture on. We decided our first stop in Paris should be Musee D'Orsay. I've been to Paris before but not to Musee D'Orsay. It's an art museum in an old converted train station that houses some more modern (late 1800s to early 1900s) pieces. I was really excited about it because I'd heard wonderful things. This museum has a lot of Renoir, Monet and (my favorite) DaVinci. I'm a bigger fan of this era of painting than some of the earlier ones at the Louvre. Monet, Renoir and DaVinci all used such bright, vibrant colors and as is evidenced by my decision to reupholster our chairs in yellow - David Bromstad and I have the same philosophy on color.
Despite a backpack debacle, some members of our party being barred from the restroom and losing eachother as the museum shut down which left Melanie by herself to navigate Jake and a stroller down an elevator alone - I would say it was a great time and I'm glad we went. If you're not a huge art afficianado and don't have hours to persue the Louvre - I say hit up Musee D'Orsay for sure.
We walked through the gardens by the Louvre (Jardin de Tuileries) to get over to Musee D'Orsay.
Jake helping Ryan push mon feces stroller. It appears the urge to tell others how to drive starts at birth in men.
View of Musee D'Orsay across the Seine.
Ryan in the center of Musee D'Orsay. I loved the ceiling.
So, I didn't realize you could actually take pictures in here until AFTER we'd been through the DaVinci exhibit (the one I was most looking forward to). I don't know who this guy is by, but for some reason I really liked him. All he's missing is a coke.
I liked lots of Monets, but I think this one was my favorite.
One of the 2 clocks on the side of the building you can see from across the Seine. This is the one by the book store.
After shutting the place down, we decided to head back to the hotel to rest our weary feet for a bit before dinner. A few minutes of shut eye, a shower and a couple of bad BBC shows later- we met downstairs in the lobby to find ourselves meal #2 of the day.
Cute hotel room. Each of the rooms was slightly different. No LaQuinta southwestern bed spreads and cherry (plum?) pictures in this joint.
Pretty in love with that sink.
Ryan posing in the "bar" which also happens to be where his breakfast was "comped" each day.
The yucky weather of the day gave way to a beautiful sunset which made for an awesome walk to dinner. Following many stops and reviews of menus, we finally settled on a sidewalk cafe where the name had something to do with a triangle? Once again, I can't remember what it was called. I probably should have written more stuff down, huh? Again - it would be helpful to be drinking while reading this blog. :c)
How many needle like structures can I capture in one photo?
Eiffel Tower > Unicorn horn.
I obviously couldn't get enough of this sunset.
This dinner wound up being one for the record books for multiple reasons. First of all, Melanie and I became painfully aware of the need for our husbands to be put into rehab for... wait for it... moutard (mustard). In France there were little jars of it on the table at all the restaurants. I would venture to guess that the average table uses maybe 4 spoonfuls per sitting. Thus, Ryan & Jonathan blowing through half the jar was a bit excessive. Also, Ryan & Jonathan ordered the "big beer." They brushed off the waiter's apprehensiveness about their order as clearly he didn't know just how manly these patrons were. When our waiter delivered the beers pictured below it became evident that he knew what he was talking about. Third, Ryan fell in love with a new food item - the Croque Madame. Lastly, it was (remarkably) the first time that we had crepes on this trip... depsite the fact Ryan claimed his motto for our Eurotrip was going to be "I don't give a crepe." In summation, it was yet another memorable, laugh-filled feast.
A pitcher a piece? Sure, why not.
Cheeseburgers in Paris-dise.
Ryan and his Croque Madames.
Post-dinner we took a leisurely stroll back to the hotel admiring all of the fun window displays we passed along the way. Once we got back to the hotel we decided to call it a night to rest up for Thursday because we had an action-packed day planned for ourselves. Big beers and culture all in one day? Noooot too bad if I say so myself.
The first items on Ryan & Jonathan's 2012 Christmas Lists.
This one is for you Mamacita and Jules!
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