Paris rocks!

I expected Paris to be a great city, but it has exceeded my expectations!

Yesterday (Sunday)was the final day of the Tour de France. The race ends with the riders riding into Paris and doing 8 laps around the Champs Elysees. I figured that since I was in the city, I should probably check it out.

I arrived down in the area around 10:30, and could see that it was already filling up. After wandering around for a little bit, I decided that I'd better grab a good spot. I saw a guy in a cycling jersey with a really expensive camera (Nikon D3 w/ 70-200 lens, easily $6000) - so I figured he knew where the good spots to watch & take pictures were. So, I stood by him. He was a really cool guy, and we chatted while we waited. We weren't actually on the Champs Elysees - that's all reserved for VIPs, sponsors, and people who are even more out of their minds than we are (i.e. willing to wait longer). We were on Rue de Rivoli, which is one of the other streets that the riders circle.

We had plenty of time to chat - we stood there for over 5 hours! Over the afternoon, the crowds poured in, and it became obvious how choice our seats were.

First the caravan (all the sponser vehicles) came by, and finally it was time. We saw the peloton approaching, and before you knew it - 200 riders flew by - man they were fast! I took as many pictures as I could - they were going too fast to really focus on one rider. But, luckily enough, I got a couple shots of Lance Armstrong.

Over the next 40 or so minutes, they circled past 7 more times. The sprinters separated themselves from the rest of the group - I couldn't believe how fast they were going.

And then it was over... 6 hours of my life down the drain. :-) It was a once in a lifetime thing, and I chatted with some cool people - the guy from the UK, some people from the US, and some other Europeans.

And, I got a cool sunburn to show for it! :-)

After the race, I wandered through the Jardin Des Tuileries - the land out in front of the Louvre. I went to the Louvre, and walked inside the main entrance (the glass pyramid). It was pretty cool. The museum had already closed, so it wasn't too crowded.

Afterwards, I went on a cruise of the river, which was a great way to see the city. I went at 9:00, so I got to see everything at twilight.

Today was the Louvre - I spent 5 hours there, and am exhausted from it. Of course, I saw the Mona Lisa & Venus di Milo. The Pavillion Denton (where those exhibits are) is the most famous. My favorite wing, though, was the Pavillion Richileiu. They had awsome sculptures there. There were 2 huge open atriums - all white marble, well air conditioned, and full of incredible statutes. It kind of felt like you had passed through the pearly gates.

After the museum closed, and I had a chance to lie down in the grass & relax, I took a walk up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. I climbed to the top & got some great shots of the city at sunset. I also got to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle (At the millenium, they installed sparkling lights on the tower. Later, when they took them down, everyone complained. So, they put them back up, and every evening the tower sparkles around the top of the hour).

Suffice to say - I'm having a blast here. I've extended my stay in Paris by 1 extra day. Tomorrow's my birthday & I want to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower! I also plan to go to Versailles, and to see the Catacombs.

On Wednesday I will depart Paris - heading up to Normandy to see the D-Day beaches. I'm sure I'll be back to visit this city many more times in the future.