Impressionists and Impressions on Tuesday in Paris

Musee D'Orsay is wonderful. The layout is so much more visitor friendly and the supporting materials are more complete than the Louvre. There is something so magical about the Impressionist works. So many talented artists and truly archetypal works combine in this museum. The Renoir and Degas pieces are my personal favorites. I was disappointed that only a few Toulouse-LaTrec works were displayed but then I remembered the Toulouse LaTrec museum in southern France that Gary and I had seen on our previous trip. Remember Gary? The one with the unusual bathroom outside :)

I have convinced Elle to ride with me on the HUGE Ferris wheel. Her only requirement is that we do it before lunch. I am thinking that the overnight experience of Nuit Blanche on Saturday night is a good opportunity. The city started its preparation for Nuit Blanche. Today, while we were in the Tuileries, we saw the structures being assembled for the lights. We plan on seeing the area by the Tuileries and the Louvre, going on the Ferris wheel, and then visiting the area by the Eiffel Tower. I am so excited about that upcoming unique overnight experience on Saturday night.

We interacted with some interesting people today. There was a gypsy that approached us as we were enjoying the fountain in the Tuileries. Her approach was innovative. She saw me moving toward a chair. She tossed a gold ring onto the ground near the chair and picked it up quickly. Then, she insisted on giving it to me. "Here, you can have it....it is yours." I told her no, as I was sure that the next onversation would be about money. Finally, I gently tossed the ring back onto the ground and said: "Let's just put it back on the ground and maybe the person who lost it will find it again." She picked it up and left.
Next, we were sitting in a cafe' outside the Hotel Sully, adjoining the Place des Vosges, and an intense french guy came up to our table and started shouting something. Who knows what he was saying, however, again, I was sure it involved giving him some money. The waiter in the cafe' shoo'd the shouter away.

Dog stories for the day: Naturally, everyone who has been to Paris knows about avoiding the poop. I won't go into the details of that for obvious reasons. We saw a cool sheep dog walking around the market this morning and an elegant Afghan hound in the Tuileries. Metro dogs included both a miniature Schnauzer and a Pug...both happy to trot through the tunnels to the trains.

I will add a few pics as well and I want to expand on the terrific dinner we had tonight. There is an Italian restaurant about ten steps from our apartment. I had Canneloni and Elle had Gnocchi. We both had a cup of Italian Hot chocolate.... imagine warmed intensely-flavored chocolate in a pudding-like consistency. How can I explain the smoothness and sweetness? I can't. Say the word 'sublime'' out loud. Drinking this chocolate makes your lips move in just the same way as when you say that word....

Good thoughts and good night. Enjoy the photos.