Paris, Je T'aime. {Day Three}

“To my mind, a picture should be something pleasant, cheerful, and pretty, yes pretty! There are too many unpleasant things in life as it is without creating still more of them.” 

― Pierre-Auguste Renoir

…And that is the best way I can describe this city- as a picture, though it sounds far too simple. In addition, we paid a visit to the Musee d'Orsay today, so I thought this quote especially fitting..

This morning- Friday morning- we awoke to booming thunder and heavily clouded skies- my favorite. And, lo and behold, there was a chill in the air- huzzah! 

A quick bite to eat(my mum made oatmeal with fresh peaches and the essential oil "On Guard" from Doterra), umbrellas packed, handbags slung over out shoulders, and we were on our way to the metro station just down the street.

Ah, yes, the metro: basically, how we make our way around Paris. Taxis are too expensive, and walking, while easy for one person, is not easy (at all) for five, especially with four girls taking in all the sights, the cafés which we have yet to snag a corner table in, and the boutique windows in the shops which we have yet to take an actual peek in. We found/thought it best to purchase passes for the week here, rather than paying for individual tickets each way, each time we changed subways. After (finally) figuring out where exactly how we were going to get where (exercising our "French"), we boarded our train, went too far, and go caught in a rain shower. 

We then took the metro back to the Tulerie station, where it was only drizzling, and found the Arc de Triomphe,  the Louvre, and- aha!- Musee d' Orsay. 

I love, love, classical art with a passion. And I was awed by the masterpieces we found- Monet, Van Gogh, Cassatt (my child-hood favorite), Manet, Degas (my other favorite), and Renoir. 

I had an epiphanie while admiring the art. You know how they say a picture is worth a thousand words? I was studying a painting of a girl painting, and discovered that, even in the French language (which we are all far from fluent in), I could connect. I was not quite positive what the name of the painting was, but I could understand the words jeune (young), jardin (garden), and femme (woman), but as far as the other word on the name, I had no idea. However, by looking at the painting, I saw the young woman in the garden crocheting- et voila!  : A Young Woman Crocheting in the Garden. I never really understood the above saying until I realized it in a different language. 

A highlight of the day was "connecting"- and I do mean connect- with Degas' sculpture, The Little Ballerina. When I was a petit ballerina myself, my mama showed me this sculpture in a book. I immediately fell in love with the child's upturned nose and expression. It was incredible to actually meet her face-to-face. 

We left the museum a few hours later, encountering a wonderful violinist just outside. A crowd had gathered around, and it was so refreshing to see how the families -people in general, too- just stopped to listen as enjoy the music. One thing I love about Paris is, for as many people are in a hurry to go someplace, or do something, there seem to be as many who wish to take the time to sit...to laugh...to not "go" anywhere specifically. There is a completely different pace than in California- one I could get used to. 

In order to get back to the metro station toward the apartment, we had to cross the Seine. We took a different bridge than the first, and to our great delight, found it covered with padlocks. Apparently, a couple writes or engraves their names, and perhaps the year, on a padlock, locks it to the bridge, and throws one key overboard. The second key, they keep. Some of the padlocks are so old, they've rusted. Many of them were over ten years old. Grace-Hope even wanted to do one for herself; so she did. Her face was delighted as she picked a place for her padlock and threw the key overboard.  I want to come back after I'm married to do one of these. ;) ...So precious.

After making it off the metro to Marais, we strolled slowly down the back streets, taking in the lovely cool air, and the ivy crawling up nearly every building. We did find a little public garden, tucked between a preschool and an empty building...filled with the sweetest-smelling roses. There were very few people in it, which made it peaceful; there was one artist lady from Texas who we spoke with for a few minutes. The garden itself help rhubarb, daisies, and some wildflowers, and was filled with the bright colors and soft pastels of the roses. 

We came home to read and relax for a bit before the evening. It smelled like rain, so (of course) we threw open all the windows.

 

I realized that I hadn't mentioned what we did for lunch yesterday or today...and the answer is, we didn't. We carried a few protein snacks (i.e., almonds and granola bars), and munched on those throughout the day. My parents made a good breakfast, and then we would come home and eat some fruit for a snack. Then we would have dinner. In this manner, we spent less time on food, but stayed happy throughout the day. 

For dinner- and this was the first time we were "out" to dinner in France- we walked to a tiny little place called Bonne Seurs- The Good Sisters. The food was divine. Alexandrea had an Italian salad, Grace-Hope had pasta, and Mama and I shared steak. Daddy had his heart set on trying the French fries in France... and of course we all shared around. There is a running feeling of happy commotion and contentedness. 

A light rain was drizzling as we strolled home, and we were filled and contented. 

.........