Tuesday's Triumph

Today we again jumped onto the Metro (I love the metro!) and headed across town, exiting at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile. A short walk later we were at our destination: Arc de Triomphe. After watching the craziness of the drivers around the arc, I certainly understand why access to it is underground!

While the day was gray and cool with some rain sprinkling, we certainly were not after walking the 1,000 steps up a tight, circular staircase to the top of the arc. After a short respite to catch our breathe, we stepped out onto the top for one of the most spectacular views of all Paris. Despite the strong breeze, one could easily look down the street and see the Eiffel Tower, La Defense, Montmartre, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, all the sights one comes to Paris to see. The most intriguing was the layout of the streets. With the arc in the center of a circle, all streets around come straight in like the spokes on a wheel. Sydney spotted the ferris wheel located in front of the Louvre and began happily shouting "The ferris wheel! The ferris wheel! I can see the ferris wheel!"

We strolled the Champs Elysees to the Franklin D Roosevelt station (I love the metro!). Doesn't that sound nice....let me say that again.... we strolled the Champs Elysees... . A short train ride later, we exited at Chaussee d'Antin La Fayette and did a bit of shopping at the Galleria La Fayette. While the store was basically a Macy's, the architecture and glasswork of the dome was exquisite. The former City of Paris store in San Francisco (I believe it is now a Neiman Marcus) is patterned after this store. Well worth a stop in to check out if you are ever in the area.

Taking the metro, we started back to our temporary home (I love the metro!). Tom and Kim headed out to the Taillevent restaurant (one of the premier restaurants in Paris). Dad, Bertha, Syd and I kicked back at the apartment, picking up pizza from the corner restaurant.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: If you do not finish your fois gras, you do not get dessert. (waiter to Tom and Kim at the Taillevent)

P.S. Did I mention that I LOVE THE METRO!?!?!