I Spent 3 Hours in a Museum and I'm Still Alive
Trip Start
Jun 27, 2008
1
10
11
Trip End
Jul 11, 2008
Paris,
France
Monday, July 7, 2008
AND EVEN MORE AMAZING. I GOT UP BEFORE MY MOM AND JEFF! That's epic. Amazing.
Rare. F-ING UNHEARD OF! I left before them, too! Anyway, I told Chelsea that I would meet
her at the Louvre at 9. That was just a little stupid, since when I woke up at
8 I was growling and half dead because it was so early. But, still, I was able
to leave the house only 25 minutes late (I have tardiness issues, as you might already
know).
The plan was to take a cab, but after having many drive by
and not stop I just decided to walk. I'm not sure what delusional idea made me
think the Louvre was close by, but whatever. After navigating traffic, nearly
being run over, and being forced to walk around certain areas because certain
sidewalks weren't open all the time thanks to the Bastille Parade setting up
people, I finally arrived around 9:40. I apparently walk like a speed demon,
cause that was from the Eiffel
Tower to the Louvre. And
that's faaaar.
After searching about the glass pyramid and not finding Chelsea, I just went in (through the special stairway
cause we had bought museum passes while walking down the Champs
Elysees yesterday). I made my way through all the stuff in the
Napoleon Hall and into the Denon Gallery. Whilst browsing the many paintings, I
ran into Chelsea and her family. I think I have subconscious people finding
radar.
We split from her family and walked through the Italian,
French, German, Dutch, - well basically all the European paintings. After
consulting the map, I determined that that is one GIANT FUCKING MUSEUM. Sorry,
but there are no other words for it. It was actually enjoyable. I spent 3 hours
looking at art and that is scary amazing for me; I'm stunned by people who say
they could spend a week in any museum. The thought kind of makes me want to
kill myself. Seriously, though, YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE LOUVRE!
Eventually we met up with Chelsea's family again and ate lunch at one
of the many cafés there. Did I mention that they can put anything on bread and
make it taste good? It's like a French super power! I got in contact with Jeff
and mom and learned that they had finally made it to the Louvre.
By this time my brain felt like it had imploded. Really, I
had a killer headache, so I searched them out using my skillz. After being whined
at for going home over a "little headache" - I TOOK TYLENOL AND IT DIDN'T HELP,
DAMNIT!- I got the key for the flat and left.Once Again I could find no cabs, so I walked. It started to
rain. Really Hard. Great. Just Dandy. In the distance to my left I could see
the Invalides. Oh wasn't it my lucky day, it's a public space conveniently
covered by my museum pass! I made my way there to learn just what exactly that
place was.
After wandering confusedly about, finding myself in a pretty
chapel, and then exiting said chapel, I found the Army Museum.
They had canons and guns and swords and stuff. It was awesome. After being
entertained by France's
military history from 1870 to post WWII, my headache had gone away. I must say,
it's a great museum. Well laid out, informative, and with lots of visual aids.
If you have any interest in that sort of thing, go!
Like most museums, there was a gift shop at the end; I fell
victim to this one in a big way. You see, I just planned on looking, but then I
happened to see a 15 euro letter opener resembling a sword. That led to me
looking at the boxes in the area. I saw a model of Napoleon's dagger. I guess
it was his favourite or something. Well it was shiny, and a large knife, and
yeah. And 60 euros. I bought it. There went 90 bucks. Oh well, money is meant
to be spent, right?
Whatever! Napoleon's tomb is also at the Invalides, so I
went to see that. If you are a history buff, you must see it; I think it's
obvious why. Even if you aren't, there are some large paintings and huge
statues there that are worth a look. Also, the huge gold dome over it that can
be seen for miles, is cool to see up close. The interior is actually quite
interesting. I can't explain why, it just felt interesting. Maybe it was
because it's so dark and like ethereal. Just go see for yourself. I found it
really funny that the tomb itself, looks like a giant toy box. Really, I think
it looks like it's made out of plastic. I seriously almost started laughing.
Napoleon II's tomb is also there, though he didn't do
anything awfully important It's right there, so you might as well look at it. Oh,
here's a tip when exciting Invalides, go through the gate, because there is an
empty moat around it. I had to walk all the way along the edge of it cause I
didn't know it was there until I had walked across the lawn, toward the flat.I thought
it would be shorter, but no! There was a moat in my way.
I walked back to the flat and kind of just died because my
feet hurt. When Jeff and my mom got back five minutes later, I was forced to
walk to the store because my mom was sick and we needed stuff. I swear, though,
the people in the store nearest us are such freaks. They have been super rude
every time we've gone there. And for no reason! It's just east of the Rue St.
Dominique and Avenue Rapp intersection (on St, Dominique). Sorry, but I don't
know the name. But, don't go there. Really, just don't.I did absolutely nothing until we went out to dinner around
10 pm. We were lucky to find a restaurant open that late, which I think is
silly. Everyone is awake then, but things close so early! All the museums are
closed by 7. What the hell are you supposed to do after that?!
Something I learned today: Well, actually this was when I
wrote this, which sadly, was a couple days after the actual day. I GOT A 4 ON
MY AP EUROPEAN HISTORY TEST. MWAHAHAHAAH! I know you don't care, but whatever.Side Note: The Paris Museum
Pass (that's its exact
name!) is well worth the buy. They come in 2, 4, or 6 day passes. The 2 day
pass is only 30 euros. Not only does it cover all the major museums, it also
allows entrance or special tours at many of the popular sites (Notre Dame,
Sainte Chapelle, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe...) The pass also allows you to cut
lines at many of the places it covers. I was able to go through the Louvre, Army Museum,
and Napoleon's tomb much faster because I didn't have to wait to buy tickets or
in the Louvre's case, go through the normal entrance.
