Frazier Blog

*sorry if there are spelling errors, it is sunny and my iPhone is small*

When I woke up this morning I had one thing planned, the Louvre. Beyond that I had no clue what would happen today. I started to plan my route and my trusty Rick Steves book recomeneded I get a museum pass so I made a slight detour and then was at the Louvre. I was there by 9:45 and there was no line for the pass entrance. I started my audio guide and began to explore. One problem, where the podcast said to start was closed after wandering around I got back on track and was enjoying the info while viewing and then no more sound. It did not download all the way this morning at the hostel, oops. I was enjoying the paintings by themselves, but also wanted the history so after a coffee break I went to get a museum audio guide, what an adventure that was.

I asked the women if there was a discount for students, being under 26 or the museum pass. She said “no, but you don’t need to pay if your under 26.” I quickly became worrried that I had just wasted 50 euro on a pass I did not need. She then said I did not look under 26. She took my ID for the guide and as I was asking her more about things being free her coworker overheard and saw my Oregon lisence and gave her a weird face. She quickly realized her mistake museums are only free for EU citzens under 26. We laughed, I calmed down and I walked in with my Audio guide. I quickly realized only one ear worked. I returned and she really felt bad and quickly gave me a new one. I enjoyed the audio guide more than tour as I could just wander and then find out info about whatever I was in front of.

I could go on for hours about the Lovre, just go it really is amazing to see all this art from all over the world and time periods in one magnificant building.

Crowds really build up in the Italain painting area by the Mona Lisa, not shocking. However in the French painting area where there are also great works it is a much more enjoyable enviorment. Tour groups are everywhere. I love the flags, sticks and umbrella’s they hold to keep their group together. Some now have personal sound systems and give the members headphones to wear. A pretty good idea. I had to remind myself to not
worry about getting in their way. I paid to get in too.

The highlights for me were the Itialian and French paintings. And all of them that were huge! 30 ft across, I just can’t believe how big they are. After I burned out of the louvre it was time for lunch and than Orsay.

While the London pass was a wash, if you come to Paris get the museum pass! Again get the pass! Not only will it pay off but getting to cut it the long lines is worth it’s weight it gold. At Orsay I waited in a line 1/3 as long as the line for people with no tickets. Get the pass.

Orsay was great it is smaller so less overwhellming and no mobs of tour groups everwhere! I loved some of the painting on a few I got close enough to admire the individual brush strokes, amazing how these artists create such grand things from a series of small actions. I was having such a good time that I closed it down, closes at 4. I really was the last one to get kicked out of the gallerys though.

I walked towards the obelisk in the place de concorde and just sat there people watching and planning for the evening and tomorrow. The Arc de Triomphe was open until 10 so I began walking that way. A now repeating theme of my trip I had to pee with no where to go. After checking at the adidas and gap I began to focus on cafes. I walked down a side alley and ordered in cafe and used the toilet.

The arc is incrediable the tumb of the unknown had just been lit what a solum reminder of the cost of freeing Europe from out of control evil. Thank you to everyone who serves or has served!

I quickly started climbing, did not have to buy a ticket thanks to the pass. The view from up top was great. I enjoyed seeing the city layed out before my eyes. See my photo on facebook for the cool trick the sky was doing. I also used a viewing thing to look at the people on top of the Effiel tower. I wanted to wait til dark but did not want to wait the hour that would require. So down I went.

Then I headed for the hostel and found
a local bar to watch world cup. The place exploded when Brazil scored, both times that I was therefore. The bartender was a big Brazil fan and got so excited he forgot to charge me for a
beer.

Back to the hostel. Met two girls from Englad who told me tomorrow would be an amazing day. “mental” as they said, Paris has a music festivel on the first day of summer. They kept hyping it up and I told them if I don’t see any bands
tomorrrow I would make them sing the next night. They laughed and assureded me I would have a good time. Now It is time for bed and we will see what tomorrow brings.

A great first day in Paris!

Sorry if these are long, it has turned into a journal of sorts for me.

Enjoying Paris,
Paul