Second Day in Paris

and serenaded again on the metro...this is becoming a habit!

the first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower

a double decker merry-go-round

Everyone has to have a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower!

Oh my goodness, my ears were soooo cold!!

The Peace Monument

The word "peace" is inscribed in 32 languages and 12 alphabets on the glass and 20-foot-tall metal columns standing sentries on either side.

Opera

the classic metro sign

Galleries Lafayette, a beautiful department store

the glass dome in the center of Galleries Lafayette

a rooftop view of the city

the back of Opera as seen from the roof of Galleries Lafayette

we were absolutely freezing!

a glimpse of Montmartre and Sacre Couer

Another of my favorite macaron stops, this one is Pierre Herme.

Mucha Cafe for lunch near the Musee d'Orsay

sporting my new hat that I got at a stand outside of Galleries Lafayette because it was FREEZING!!

Ben's steak tartar that had been cooked to medium rare

omelet perfection

french onion soup

standing in front of Musee d'Orsay and wishing they were inside where it was warm!

one of my favorite spots inside of Musee d'Orsay

The Louvre from the outside. We didn't go inside on this trip.

Our dinner spot in St. Germaine and one of my favorite places to eat

a really good wine or at least it was to us

the wonderful salad and vinaigrette

the wine list

preparing our plates tableside

steak with "special sauce" and fabulous frites

ice cream in caramel sauce

my favorite profiteroles!

Ben's Irish Coffee that wasn't as good as he hoped it would be

Our day started a little later because of our late night, probably not late enough for Ben and Ashley, but we couldn't sleep too late, because there is so much we want to see here. We had breakfast at 9:30 in the hotel and started our touring afterward with a trip to the Eiffel Tower. It is soooo cold (in the 30's) and with the wind blowing, it is pretty painful on uncovered ears. This I discovered because I left my hat in the hotel! We did not go up in the Eiffel Tower because it is too cold to go to the top and the lines are not worth standing in, especially in the cold. We just marveled at it's size and walked under it toward our metro stop for our next destination. We did take some time to see the Peace Monument which is across from the Ecole Militaire. We took the metro to Opera and then walked around Opera to Galleries Lafayette, another department store. We were looking for hats, all of us, because our ears were freezing!! We found a kiosk outside that had the cutest hats for women and picked up one for Ashley and me that were only 10 euros each! Ben and Danny found ear warmers in the men's department inside. We admired the beautiful stained glass dome and went up on the roof to look out over the city. We also went over to the gourmet food section and Ben found the HUGE containers of Nutella!! We realized we were getting a little hungry and rightly so since it was about 1:30. Time seems to stand still here and advance all at the same time. It's a very strange feeling. We stopped at Pierre Herme for some macarons before we left the store so we could have a little nibble on our way to lunch. We took the metro toward Musee d'Orsay and stopped for lunch at a cafe called Mucha Cafe outside of the Solferino metro stop. We had a great waiter who was born in France, lived in Detroit most of his life and now lives in Paris. He said he was French but his English had very little french accent in it and Ashley was convinced he wasn't telling the truth. Well he was telling the truth, but he left out the part about living in the U.S. most of his life!!! We had a great visit with him while we waited for our meal. I think Ashley and I had the best Onion Soup we have had on this entire trip and I eat it a lot. They also had very interesting and delicious fries. Each fry was split and thin so they were extra crispy. Ben had Steak Tartare that had been cooked to medium rare. He said it was delicious. I thought it was nasty but Danny liked it to. I think it's the flavor of the seasonings and vinegar that I don't like. After lunch we walked down to Musee d'Orsay to see the Impressionist art and my favorite, the GIANT clock!!! We saw more of the museum than we usually do as we usually just go straight to the Impressionist floor and then out the door, but we wandered in and out of the smaller rooms on the bottom floor as well as checking out the smaller rooms on the second floor too. There were a few paintings that must have been out on loan as they were not there. Whistler's Mother was back and prominently displayed. I haven't seen it there in a long time. As always, my favorite artists are Monet, Pissaro, and Degas and many of my favorites were on display. It is so sad that they no longer let you take pictures inside. After touring the museum, our feet were beginning to feel the day so we walked back to the hotel to rest before dinner. We ate dinner at Relais de l'Entrecote, a favorite restaurant and one we go to every time we are in Paris. You have to arrive when they open (7 p.m.) or run the risk of standing in the line that's out the door, or huddled in the entrance because it's so cold outside. We were able to get a table right away and the place filled up soon after. Our meal was delicious and Ashley spent a lot of time trying to figure out what is in the "secret sauce" they pour over the meat. I would like to know the secret to those crispy fries! Yum! After dinner, we walked in the neighborhood and located the swimming pool where Ashley is going to go in the morning and get in a swim. She swims for exercise at home and has really missed her pool. Axelle did some research and found a public pool nearby where Ashley can swim to her heart's content for 3 euro. Not bad for a great way to start your day. Tomorrow is a full day of walking and climbing stairs. That will be enough exercise for me....lol. Until then....