Paris...continued

May 17

Took the train out to the palace of Versailles.  It was very large and elegant and as extravagant as it is proclaimed to be. It was weird to think that Marie antionette actually lived here. I liked wandering through the vast gardens, although they were not what I expected. I was thinking there would be flowers but instead most of them are simply hedged in lawn or forests with fountains and pathways separating it into a grid. There are some beautiful spots that could be peaceful if not for the insane amount of people. In the main palace I found the most impressive thing to be the size and number of paintings, and of course the hall of mirrors, which is beautiful.  

On my way back to Paris I made a quick diversion to the Arch du Triumph, but pretty much just took enough time to take a few pictures and get back out of the crowd. 

That evening I ventured to the Eiffel tower and couldn't have had better timing, as I got there just in time for sunset-amazing. Also, unknown to me, the tower has a kind of light show that makes it appear to sparkle. This only lasts for about 5 minutes at 10:00. So happy I got to see it!!! After the tower I had an incredible dinner at a nearby cafe; the best pasta I've ever had by far. 

Tips and advice

-if you go to Versailles be prepared to walk.  Expect crowds and I would not advise going with small children. Also, follow the advice of Rick Steve, and try to go on a day when the fountains and music are on. 

-Definitely see the Eiffel tower just around dusk and evening! It will be much better than in the day!

-Try the pasta :)

May 18

Yesterday I heard from some other travelers that they highly recommended going on the botabus river tour which lets you get on and off at various famous stops, so I decided I may as well try it and see Notre Dame and the Louvre. Notre Dame was great. Despite the crowds and tourists the inside maintains an atmosphere of sincere spirituality which I greatly admired and respected.  Also, something I did not realize was that one of its primary treasures is the crown of thorns. It was still somewhat peaceful in the church and the architecture along with the stained glass is breathtaking. I was relieved to find less materialism and honoring of dead royalties as was the case in London. 

From the cathedral I traveled to the Louvre, and although St. Chapel is a highly recommended site, I found myself quickly tired of monuments and churches that exist primarily as tourist attractions. 

I did however go to the Louvre. I saw all the famous works and there are some incredible paintings. I myself found the themes to be somewhat repetitive and though I admire the skill of all the artists I found most of the works lacked a creativity or originality that I crave to see in artwork. After all a naked man is a naked man...and there are only so many of the same pose one can find interest in. The size of many of the paintings is impressive; however if you have already visited Versailles you will probably be less impressed.  Often times I feel like many people like to go and see art more for the sake of making themselves feel more intelligent or seem more impressive to others, than because they actually enjoy or understand it. 

On a bizarre note I had one of many odd experiences as I was walking to the Louvre (I was carrying a piece of cheesecake knowing that I would have to stand in line) a girl in the courtyard, which they warn you about because most are pickpockets trying to get close. She pointed at herself then my cheesecake and back at herself.  As I'm standing there a little confused she boldly reaches over and breaks off a large piece of my cheesecake and walks away...only in France...

After so much history in one day I thought it would be a good idea to walk the champs elsees, which is a huge shopping street that runs from the Arch to the Palace at the river. This was a fun walk and you will see many flagstores for brands. One thing I found hilarious was the Abercrombie and Fitch store, which is I guess quite a large attraction. There was at least an hour long line to get into the gate-which is golden and surrounded by male models and which opens to a hedged in, tiled pathway that eventually brings you into the store. Sephora was the only store I actually went into. I think this was the first and only place where I found service people eager to help. If you enjoy perfumes or cosmetics I highly advise going there.

May 19

I checked out of my hotel and made the rather long journey to my airport hotel-taking 3 metros and 2 buses. In case you are wondering, buses can be pretty interesting/crowded/uncomfortablein Paris. After dropping off my suite cases at my hotel it took me over an hour to get back into the city on the bus, but I finally made it to the city centre and decided to visit the centre Pompidou, which is my favorite of the art museums I visited. It has a log of abstract, modern and surreal art, but often it is interactive and although some may still seem like random garbage stuck on a canvas; for the most part the pieces are at the least interesting to look at and some were very deep, creative and thought provoking. One of my favorites was a giant room devoted to the concept of color. :) The area around the museum was a fun place to be as well and was filled with street performers: acrobats, mimes, gypsies, musicians and dancers. As i left the museum i saw one man dancing enthusiastically on roler skates,shirtless in the rain.  Again....only in Paris....After one last amazing Paris dinner I made my way back to the hotel. 

O! I almost forgot. One thing I loved about Paris (at least most of the time) is that you will hear music almost everywhere, especially people playing in metros and trains and stations. 

May 20

The worst of travel days. From going to the wrong terminal, being late, missing my flight, dealing with awful airport people, being stranded for 10 hours, getting on the wrong bus to get to my later flight, getting jipped by my cab driver in Seville and arriving at midnight rather than noon...it was a long day. But I am so glad to finally be in Seville.