20 March 1999 Paris, France The Sites

Eiffel Tower

With confidence, I took the metro to the Louvre Museum, the line was so long there, forget about trying to see the great works of art.  The building was HUGE, it just went on and on and extended block after block.  The pyramid was the entrance to the museum.

Jardin des Tuilleries 

I took pictures of it and (Impressionistic Painters), my favorites. From here, I walked through the garden in front of the Louvre. Beautiful statues and ponds or whatever they maybe called here. The park went on for blocks. At one point, I was in Jarin des Tuileries where the large round fountain is and many chairs to enjoy the afternoon. Many people were sitting here, reading and sipping on coffee and watching other people go by. I saw a carousel and pony rides in the park.

Then, you come to Place de la Concorde, the busiest spot in Paris. This is where you will see no lines on the road sectioning off lanes and where motorcycles weave in and out of traffic - ECK!! Here, you see an Obelisk topped with gold given by the president of Egypt as a gift. There are pillars of green and gold standing in this area. Also, you find a fantastically large fountain which is truly spectacular. Once past this point, I was on the Champs Elysees. Walking along here, I saw a mime and a juggler, expensive stores and restaurants.

Arch de Triomphe

Finally, I arrived at the Arch de Triomphe. I didn't know people could stand on top of it. At the bottom, lay some flowers for the unknown soldier who's buried there. This is where I was tired of walking and discovered the Paris Bus - a hop on/hop off tour bus of the city sights and the pass is good for 2 days. I rode around and saw all the sites from the top of the bus.

I guess Place d'Alma was a given - huh. I didn't get off the bus to see it, I just sat there and watched the eternal flame as we drove by. This is the spot in the tunnel where Diana was killed on 8/31/97 by the paparazzi. I spoke to someone on the Chateaux tour who said she had visited the site and she said it was spooky and eerie. I saw flowers that were laid there in her remembrance.  I think the Royal Family had something to do with it.

I got off to see the Eiffel Tower. Here to, the lines were long. I opted not to wait to go to the top to "SEE" Paris and eat in the restaurant. This was my dream - to take a cruise at night to see the illuminations of the buildings of the city. This should have happened 5-7 years ago when I had the chance. It would have been so perfect then. But, c'est la vie - comme ce comme sa. My dream didn't happen then and it didn't happen now.

Cruising on the Seine

I did see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Arch de Triomphe, Notre Dame, etc ... I took the day cruise on the Seine - it's just not the same as it would be at night. There was this little French girl and her mother had dressed her up so cute - just like Madeline. She was adorable. Being alone in the city of love really stinks! You see lovers walking hand in hand, holding each other, and kissing at romantic spots. If that didn't hurt ya, then seeing a wedding couple stand in front of the arches by the Louvre taking pictures would have. I will not come back, it wasn't fun being alone, and the Parisians are rude.