Ninjas Ate My Lunch…So I wrote a blog about it.

Paris has, to date, been the most sightseeing that I have done on this trip. Caro and I did some in Barcelona over a few days, but Paris was a condensed series of hardcore sightseeing opportunities. Museum after museum after park after cathedral after museum. It was overwhelming. To start off the trip, as I mentioned in a previous post, we spent the day at the Louvre. This, if you weren’t aware, is an incredibly large museum that I would have quickly lost my way in if it weren’t for Carolynn and her amazing ability to read maps. (Add that to her skills at changing in tight spots and you’ve got a great date . )

Anyway, as we (she) navigated our way around the many floors of the Louvre I realized that I tire quickly of looking at pieces of art over and over again. Of course, I recognize their importance and beauty, and when seeing pieces such as the Mona Lisa I get an inkling of excitement somewhere inside of me. I wonder if this is because someone has told me these are important, they are culturally relevant in some way, and therefore I should be impressed?

That thought alone started to bother me as I watched everyone take pictures of every single piece sculpture, painting, arch way, window, brick, chair…well, you get the point. Not to demean their experience because of course I have been the quintessential tourist at many points in this trip. But I decided, for the sake of space in my camera and for preservation of my memories, that I would only take pictures of things that really stood out to me.  For example, there were so many sculptures of Mary and baby Jesus, and a number of them had really interesting expressions or tender embraces that I wanted to remember that. (Through this I also realized I am much more drawn to sculptures than photos. They are more dynamic.)

So. All that being said, here are some highlights of our trip to Paris in photos. I chose ones that particularly impacted me and made me wonder about what the artists intentions were, or their feelings, etc.   Also, there are some of just general fun things on the trip .

Outside the Louvre, looking in.

Staircase inside the Louvre.

Mama and Baby hands.

First French coffee .

Just me and the Mona Lisa, no biggie.

A cat and a pendulum, inside the Pantheon.

Playing with my twin at the Picasso Museum. PS, inside the pink bag is the CUTEST dress from a little boutique. Sigh.

I l.o.v.e. Matisse.

Eiffel Tower, at night. From a distance.

And now, up close.

The "view" outside our hotel room.

Fin!