Myra, and her friend Tracy (who arrived this morning) have left just this evening for Italy. Her visit was a nice interlude in my trip. As I mentioned before, I felt like I could take her around my city. On Saturday, after a long day Friday of walking around and enjoying an incredibly awesome meal at what has become a favorite restaurant, we went to see the Arc de Triomphe. It was built by Napoleon and stands as a memorial of the soldiers who have fought in the name of France. It is an amazing structure which stands in the perspective between the Louvre and the Arc de Defense. We climbed to the top (all 284 steps, not that I was counting) and enjoyed the beautiful view of the city - the Eiffel Tower to one side and Sacre Coeur and Montmartre to the other, with the Louvre to the north and the very modern Arc de Defense to the south. One of the more impressive monuments in Paris (and considering how many there are, that's saying something).
Unfortunately, after coming down the Arc, we walked down the Champs Elysees. I say unfortunately, because while the street is well known, it is not that impressive. We did stop in at Laduree - well known for its macaroons (not the chocolate coconut kind - but flavors of pistachio, framboise, coffee, chocolate, caramel) and spent some time gazing into the high end shops on the street.
Sunday, involved a trip back to the area to visit the Grand Palais and Petit Palais - both built as exposition halls for the 1900 World's Fair. Passing over Pont Alexandre III - with its gold gilded statues - we walked back to the Esplanades des Invalides and entered the very impressive Tomb of Napoleon - the casket - while seemingly large in marble - seems quite small in the huge tomb - perhaps a reflection of Napoleon's size in life?
On our way back home that day, we visited the Rodin Museum. I think if you have only time for a couple of museums in Paris, skip the Louvre - and see the Musee d'Orsay and the Rodin - you won't be disappointed. Rodin's skill as a sculpter is even something I can appreciate. The detail to the human form in the Thinker or the Kiss. Set in an old house with beautiful gardens - the museum itself or the grounds alone are worth a visit. Many of Rodin's famous sculptures are set outside in the gardens and can be appreciated without feeling crowded. As we waited in line to enter, Myra and I saw a few people with picnic baskets getting ready to spend a Sunday afternoon in the gardens!
I feel like Myra got to experience a mix of the tourist Paris and the feel of Paris in its cafes and restaurants.
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