Montmarte and the Louvre

15 October -- WEDNESDAY

Carrie took the train to Versailles and I took the Metro to Montmarte, where I spent a lot of time in the shops. There are some nice shops, some interesting shops, and lots of touristy kinds of places. I bought souvenirs and then had lunch. It had been rainy and drizzly all morning; however, it cleared up a bit and I took the funicular railway up the short, but steep, distance to Sacre' Coeur. I entered and sat in a pew for a few minutes, but since I had made plans to meet Carrie at an appointed hour, I had to leave.

I had spent a bit of time the night before looking at the Metro map and figuring out my route. I had to make a couple of transfers to other lines; however, on the way there and back I only had to ask one question. I was quite proud of the fact that using the Metro was becoming easier and easier.

That evening Carrie and I went to the Louvre and spent a lot of time viewing works of the Italians, including, of course, the Mona Lisa. The room was completely nuts - the painting sits in a sealed space which is surrounded by a barricade and you talk about cameras. It was incredible. I could not believe it - the Louvre allows photographs as well.

After a couple of hours I was so exhausted that I had to leave. Carrie stayed for an hour or two longer. I had not wanted to go to the Louvre at all - it is so gigantic that I thought it would be overwhelming; however, despite my exhaustion I'm glad I spent at least a few hours there.