rain. cool cathedral (Sacre Couer). statue stabbing his horse (outside). Self destruct! cleaner looking decor.
rain. walked to metro, to louvre. actually, mall (the carrousel du louvre). Find louvre entrance, actually wait in line to get through security before FF suggests lunch at the food court (we brought the salami bread, cheese, nougat, but no water since stuff floating in the tap water from prev. night's hostel). so we go back. No tables, so I sit at a clear spot w/ no chair, which is awkward. I get up, find a new spot, find a table. FF doesn't want to sit though--he suggests going outside & getting a drink at a fountain (original plan = eat our food, buy a drink, but can tell it'll be expensive). I am puzzled at this but we head outside. It's raining. No fountains, since it's not Italy. Can get a bottle of soda for €3, which FF vetoes. I am annoyed; now he says we should do what I want, which is either our original plan (food court + drink) or the museum. (I was also anxious about the time since there were other things (catacombs) I wanted to see after louvre, but I knew the louvre would take a long time). Also wet. went to go see outside of louvre (the ridiculous pyramids) then went back to standing in line to get into louvre. Annoyed.
Louvre: ancient egyptian rooms. Extremely large & well-preserved collection (scribe's tomb. Preserved papyrus scrolls w/ writing. 3000 year old bread and fruits!) Very food/food acquisition oriented tombs (pictures of overseeing food gathering, food offerings, menu on wall carving. Statues of people holding meat selections (fancier than in life selections for normal ppl).) Really fancy jewlery & pottery. Styles still good today (lots of gold), very good workmanship, clean lines, could get really small pendants (v. cute!).
Mummified cats! And fishes! wtf! Also a crocodile, and a real mummy. Must feel awkward that this guy is on display at a museum. But I suppose when you're don using it your body becomes a piece of nature and free for use.
Headless victory unearthed in 1800's. Still impressive. Paintings. Mona lisa -> v. small. essence of smiling, play on words.
Statues. Hermaphrodite = fil of Aphrodite + Hermes. Interesting.
FF tired. leave at 4:30 ish, to Notre Dame cathedral. Blocky, which was unexpected; also smaller. Service started while we were inside (beginning announced by clanging.) Singing, organ, everyone signs. repeat. Smoke. V. picturesque, esp. w/ stained glass, high ceilings, columns and angel statues. Pretty cool but musically not that interesting--just good for the space and getting atmosphere.
To bastille. Outside Notre dame 8-person band (amateur) and rollerbladers doing wiggly-tricks.
Wander around. Find bastille. Not interesting (a tower/pole? Isn't there supposed to be a prison?)
Go back to hostel, get recommendation for a place for dinner, where we are translated the menu. Steak and salmon. Salad dressing: tastes like vinegar w/ memories of sushi saunce (hint of nori, horseradish). Sweet, sour. V. mild. Looks like a vinagrette. When asked we're told goat cheese wrapped in leaves from N. Africa (Chinese use it too--"Name"?). Also, finally get water. Leeks in cheese. Cheese sauce for steak. Generally, cheese. Good stuff. fries.
Creme Brulee. Not too thick. Burnt bitter cuts, but not that sweet anyway.
Back to hostel. Internet.
Update: Snoring girl. No sheets. What is with French shower drains?
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