Il pleut en France

Oh does it!  Cold too - a great combination!

Can't believe we're halfway through our great adventure!  We've been walking a bit - Debbie says a lot! (In her defence we're all a bit gimpy from walking). And these were the museum days - we start walking tomorrow!

I've gotten to see awesome new things which is fun - and seeing old things through Sam's eyes has been great too!  He even said "WOW" when we went into St Chappelle today - Deb said that's the Sam equivalent of like fireworks!

It was fun watching him go up to a woman drawing in the Musee d'Orsay yesterday and talk drawing. It's been fun talking art, learning techniques, and criticizing artwork such as Monet and Renoir with him. And we both agree the Monet Lisa isn't really that great of a painting  But Jacques Louis David - now that's a peinture!  Glad to see he has good taste! He drew a bit in the Louvre and then in the room tonight - but I know he wishes he had time to do more

Sam busily sketching a photo he took

Sam and Debbie in front of Monet's Nymphéas - which according to Sam look like he may have used a dry brush technique. 

Last night we braved the 200+ odd steps to the top of the Arc du Triomphe. But today we made it up to the top of Notre Dame - even past the bell tower!  422 curling narrow steps!  The view was a little cloudy but the gargoyles made up for that!  We just wanted to add to the 25,000+ Fitbit steps we're racking up daily. Sam and I figured out that the one Metro stop was about 4 stories underground - steps indeed!

Look at the top of the tower to the right - we were there!

It's hard sometimes on these trips. One - they are both currently snoring but won't do it in synch. Maddening!! Two - it's hard for an lone traveler like me to be responsible for the welfare and traveling happiness of two companions. Always thinking one step ahead and trying not to get lost or lose anyone!  Three - sometimes it's tiring to try to think in my basic French and English and translate as much as possible. 

Take lunch today for instance. At this great vegetarian/vegan spot next to Shakespeare & Company bookstore ( another great concept). The waiter comes up and asks - in quite perfect English - whether Debbie and Sam want Soy or Coconut milk in their coffee drinks. Debbie looks to me so I translate - do you want Soy or Coconut milk?  She answers "Yes". Cracks me and waiter up!!  See -- it's hard this translation business!!

I sure hope something funny happens again tomorrow - I need material for this blog!

PS - we were so tired we got Pizza á emporter tonight and ate it in the hotel room! Bet Sam never knew he liked goat cheese on his pizza. I may or may not have forgotten to tell them what chèvre was!