Paris, as always, is absolutely beautiful. Walking around the city I am reminded why I so desperately wanted to return to Europe. Everything is different, people, buildings, even sounds and smells.
On my first day I see the touristy things, the ones I've visited previously. I go to Musee D'Orsay and feel like an experienced Parisian as I walk through a temporary photography exhibit, taking my time because I have been through the museum before. The Louvre commands as much awe as before but the Eiffel Tower is not as magical on a rainy day as it was on the December night when I caught my first glimpse.
The second day I venture out into the heart of Paris, I promise myself I will see new things. I go to Des Invalides, the French war museum/hospital that showcases Napoleon's tomb. The tomb is quite grand, but a lot of the museum is under contstruction, so I am unable to see the majority of Napoleon's artifacts. I also walk to see Les Grand et Petit Palais. Both buildings were built for the world's fair in 1900. They are closed, but it is quite nice to see the exteriors.
After walking the streets a bit more I return to my hostel to pack my things and prepare for my first train ride in two years. I eat dinner at a small cafe in Monmartre called Froggy's, which is playing really loud Latin-styled music. I do not mind because I am alone and it seems to take the edge off the awkwardness of doing a social activity, eating, alone.
The next morning before I catch my train, I visit Sacre-Coeur, the cathedral in Monmartre. Its beauty was worth the hike up the hill to see it. From the top of the hill there is a beautiful view of the city. At last, I descend the hill to fetch my large amount of luggage and to hail a taxi to La Gare de l'Est.
On my first day I see the touristy things, the ones I've visited previously. I go to Musee D'Orsay and feel like an experienced Parisian as I walk through a temporary photography exhibit, taking my time because I have been through the museum before. The Louvre commands as much awe as before but the Eiffel Tower is not as magical on a rainy day as it was on the December night when I caught my first glimpse.
The second day I venture out into the heart of Paris, I promise myself I will see new things. I go to Des Invalides, the French war museum/hospital that showcases Napoleon's tomb. The tomb is quite grand, but a lot of the museum is under contstruction, so I am unable to see the majority of Napoleon's artifacts. I also walk to see Les Grand et Petit Palais. Both buildings were built for the world's fair in 1900. They are closed, but it is quite nice to see the exteriors.
After walking the streets a bit more I return to my hostel to pack my things and prepare for my first train ride in two years. I eat dinner at a small cafe in Monmartre called Froggy's, which is playing really loud Latin-styled music. I do not mind because I am alone and it seems to take the edge off the awkwardness of doing a social activity, eating, alone.
The next morning before I catch my train, I visit Sacre-Coeur, the cathedral in Monmartre. Its beauty was worth the hike up the hill to see it. From the top of the hill there is a beautiful view of the city. At last, I descend the hill to fetch my large amount of luggage and to hail a taxi to La Gare de l'Est.
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