Paris, Day 3

Today was just the Louvre and the drive home. We tried yesterday to get Louvre tickets, but the places that sell them were closed, because it was Sunday. So, we had to wait in line. We got to the proper station and hopped out of the train. It was about 8:15. The gate that leads directly into the mall that is one of the entrances to the mall was closed, and wouldn't open until 8:30. So, we went to the main entrance outside. When we go out there, the line was pretty long.

Tired kids

After waiting for a while, I thought perhaps I would take one of the kids and see how the inside line was doing. So, Em & I quickly went back through the metro station to the other entrance. The gate was still closed, despite the fact that it was after 8:30. But, we did get down there eventually. We then got lost in the mall. Crap. We found a line for tickets at a tobacco shop, but it wasn't the entrance line, and it wasn't open yet, either. I left Em in that line so I could find the right line. I found it and had a great spot, so I called Em. She came to me. She was going to go up and get Jen & David, but she didn't remember how. So, I left Em in line with some money and went to grab Jen & David. By now, it was 8:45. They didn't have a phone, so I couldn't call them.

Now, this is not a small walk. You have to go through the mall to the metro, all the way down the metro platform and out the other side, out of the metro station, across a big street, through a passage under the museum, and into the museum courtyard. You can't run in the mall or the metro, but I walked as quickly as I could. Jen & David were understandably worried about what was taking so long, and we really had to rush to get back to line, where Em was then freaked out that we wouldn't get back in time. But, we were all in line and fine then, so it was all good. The line behind us was humongous.

Then, out came a sign that said the opening was delayed. Crap. It didn't say by how long. I decided that I would run back to that tobacco shop to get our tickets, so that once we did get in, we wouldn't have to then wait in another line for tickets. I got them, and of course, it had opened, and they had already gotten in. The security guard said I had to get in line. Crap. Em had a wee bit of a breakdown. She had tried and tried to call and text me to let me know that the line was moving, but I hadn't gotten any of them. But luckily, the guard let me cut in line to where the tensabarrier started. It still took me about 10 minutes to get through it, but it was better than the hours it would have taken if he hadn't let me cut.

After that, it was a pretty standard Louvre visit. Half the things were closed and we couldn't find what we wanted to see without major detours. Ironically, the Greek antiquities section was now open and flowing in both directions, so we saw the Venus de Milo without even looking for her. (If you remember our last Louvre adventure, you'll know why that's funny). Em had a bit when she wasn't feeling too hot (I think she was stressed and dehydrated), but she got over it.

Hermaphrodite

Mary Magdalene

When we were done, we grabbed some sandwiches at a cafe inside and took them to eat outside in the courtyard. Then it was back to the hotel and the car, and off to home.

"Driving" the metro back to the hotel

Emma says - It was interesting to see some things in the Louvre that we hadn't seen before, but mostly I just didn't feel very well. I'm glad we got food, though, because I was very hungry.