I had a delightfully fast and easy flight from D.C. last night, including the fact that United let me on with way too many bags and way too big of a carry-on. More on that story later. Topping it all off, there was an empty seat next to me to curl up in for the overnight flight. One aspirin and one Lunesta later, I was on my way to a land of cramped neck contortion and a required few hours of sleep to keep up with my first day in Paris!
My lovely little redheaded French beauty picked me up at a corner cafe on Rue de Reilly, where she proceeded to argue with the taxi driver in perfect French and arrange correct payment. Don't mess with Emily Borders. Period.
Emily and I then tag-teamed my 5 pieces of luggage and managed to haul my life up 6 sets of stairs. Whew! We no longer require a trip to the gym today, in case you were wondering. 150lbs not counting the carry-ons.
Awaiting me in her lovely little flat was what else, but a baggette, an apple and coffee. It's so Parisian!
Emily had class this morning at the Musée d'Orsay, so I tagged along with her on the Metro and wandered through the museum while she studied a few specific pieces with her classmates.
The Musée d'Orsay sits near the centre of Paris, in the vicinity of the Louvre, overlooking the banks of the Seine River. Walking along the banks this morning provided me with plenty of opportunity to "feel" like I was in Paris! The building was a former railway station, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, so you could probably spend all day just admiring the architecture itself. 2.9 million people passed through here last year alone, if that tells you how neat it is. Here's the pic I took before I got busted by the rent-a-cop. Whoops!
While I toured, local artists were painting their own renditions of the most famous pieces housed here, including many Van Gogh's. It was fascinating to watch a painting recreated stroke by stroke.
The collection itself is wonderful, with some VERY large pieces (think one story building), but this was my favorite piece by far. I'm a sucker for marble sculptures. Especially really emotional ones. This guy made me think. Jean-Joseph Perraud's sculpture named 'Le Désespoir' (Despair). The detail overwhelms me. He almost looks real up close.
I covered the whole museum in about 1 1/2 hours, so while I waited for Emily to get out of class, some majoring people watching was in order. Here's what I think so far:
It's a good thing black is my favorite color, cause I fit right in. EVERYONE here is wearing black. It seems Parisians have found the perfect combo of comfy yet classy. I like! No one seemed under-dressed and no one seemed over-dressed. And FYI people are nicer than the stereotype would imply.
I already got the dreaded and awkward bisou out of the way twice this morning. Bravo me.
I've yet to be pick pocketed, I've already been sung to on the Metro and it's been a beautiful sun shiny day here. Can't wait for tomorrow! Happy Friday from Paris!
I'm reading along and going, "So true. I remember that. She's so right! Been there. Miss the beauty." :) So happy you get this experience before SA. Keep the updates coming, sis!
Love it. And you're making me miss Paris. Keep enjoying it and have a pain au chocolat (or three) for me! Amuse-toi bien!
Sounds amazing, Ames. Soak it all in. So glad you're there.