Paris 2012, The Anniversary trip continues

Day 3 started with the rue Cler street market, and breakfast at Cafe du Marche. Before heading to the Arc de Triomphe, we checked out the bargains at the weekend street market, with many vendors and all sorts of interesting things.

                                          She wasn't for sale, just minding the store!
It almost made me feel as if I was back home, with the flea market booths and odd random things to see. There were vendors with all types of things, but as you can imagine- the pup was my favorite sighting.

I was excited to find some light weight things to bring home from the market. This booth was full of embroidered items. The next booth had tons of vintage children's clothes, and I almost got a dress for Kahlan, but talked myself out of it. The woman explained, all in French of course, all about the dress- at least I THINK that's what she was saying!!
After a good amount of shopping-not so much buying, lots of looking, we found a taxi station and went to the Arc. The driver was SO helpful, explaining that you do NOT try to walk across the intersection, but take the tunnel. Good advice! And once again, our museum passes got us through quickly with little hassle. Meanwhile, 283 steps await our attention.....

That's 283 steps ONE WAY. I had to try to take a shot back down after we neared the top. And Oh my, was it worth the climb!

We made it to the top, and ran across someone who asked me to take her photo with her Mom. She in turn, took ours too! That happened often, and I really loved that people would do that for each other.

Here is a shot of where we were headed the following day, Montmartre....and more steps to climb!
I want to include my attempt of a photo explaining why you take the tunnel-

People waiting to cross an intersection with cars, buses, and various other vehicles- (note the little pink car in the photo)-and NO pedestrian crossing area, nor lights. Several streets converge at the Arc. Use the tunnels, people!!

We left the Arc and continued our journey down the Champs Elysees. What a neat stretch of road!! But this caught my eye-a Queen based 'disco'. No, we did not go back that evening.
We also found an interesting display room for Mercedes, and Keith found his car!

I have to admit though, that one of the more noteworthy things we ran across that day, was a talking toilet. Yes, I do mean talking- and yes, I had to try it out!!

This was in a little park right off the sidewalk of the Champs Elysees. We also saw stamp sellers there, and  a tiny area where for one euro, they would let you push your child on a swing!

We went on from there, to the Musee d' Orangerie, where there was an exhibit of Debussy that Keith was especially interested in seeing. Unfortunately, it was another no photos allowed location. Inside, we saw works by Picasso, and the Debussy display was really neat, with original manuscripts and scores on display. Wow.
We went back to rue Cler and had a pastry from a bakery whose customer service leaves much to be desired. We changed for dinner, and went to the Cafe Constant. This place was packed in so tight, it was actually difficult to get your fork to your mouth without bumping the strangers at the next table. We had read that French speak very quietly, and certainly understood why! Everyone could hear everything!! When our 'house white' wine arrived, it was red. Eh. We really just wanted to eat and get OUT of there anyway! Day 4 found us on our last day in that area. We bought quiche from a street vendor who warmed it up for us. Very nice folks there. Keith was absolutely thrilled to find this man-

He was singing, and we just loved it! We gave him a bit of money in his cap, and then Keith bought a cd also- and he generously took a photo with me too!

We called a taxi, and checked out of the Hotel Beaugency, heading to Broussard and our next experience in Paris. A Bed and Breakfast run by Giselle, who had quite a list of instructions for her guests!! After we settled in, we walked to the Louvre. Yes, I did just write that. I, Skyline grad. of 76, went to the Louvre. Take that, class prophecy! The only thing I wanted to be certain to see, was the Mona Lisa. Let me take a moment here to explain this place. It is HUGE. It is amazing. And I still can't believe I was there.

One of the entrances allows you to go the roof. This was amazing to me, just the structure of it! And we aren't even IN yet!! Already, my country girl self is screaming inside my head! "I'm actually HERE!"

We were not the only ones there! The building itself is gorgeous and a work of art as well.

A ceiling. I so wanted to be able to capture the absolute awe I felt as we walked through the areas, but there is just no way to transfer it to a photo. Once we got the maps- yes, maps of the museum, we could plot our way to the paintings I most wanted to see, and here they are!

The Lacemaker, has always reminded me of my Grandmother, and there she is! The Mona Lisa!!
I had to sit down after I saw her. I am still in shock, I think. Really. Mona Lisa. In front of me!
So, after wandering for another couple of hours, and finding some things on Keith's list also, we were pretty much ready for something......different. We found a Starbucks and sat down and had a coffee! Whew.
As we left, we heard a jazz duo, which of course, Keith had to go check out. We made a few purchases along the sidewalk and then Keith found a hat shop.

We went from there, to an outdoor cafe and had a pizza, and returned to our B&B and pretty much crashed.
Day 5- Happy Anniversary! We had coffee in normal sized cups and a lovely breakfast before heading out to Notre Dam. I voted against the 400 steps to the top. We had a Rick Steves book that suggested walking tours, and sort of followed one, with our own interpretations. Saint Louis Island is wonderful and blessed with many shops, not the least of which was an ice cream shop where I ordered in French and actually got what I thought I was ordering! Yay!!

I am holding Keith's while he took the picture- really I didn't order 2!! But Yum. The shop is in the background. The last photo for today is of locks we saw on bridges.

My understanding, is that this trend started at the Pont des Artes, and they were all removed some time ago- now they are beginning to fill back up again. The other bridge is the Pont de l' Archeveche'. The 2 bridges represent different 'love'. One of them is for couples in a committed relationship, who write both their names on the locks and then throw the key in the Seine. The other bridge is for "lovers", and have a single name on them. You can see them from blocks away, shining in the sun, and no, we didn't leave a lock, but if we had known, we definitely would have, it was our anniversary after all!!