Magnolias' Day 11

    After a good night's sleep, the Magnolias were ready to tackle Paris, but not before coffee au lait.  We lost one magnolia, asDebbie had to return to the U.S. to host a bridal luncheon in her home with 2 days to prepare.  Let's hope Jeff, Carly and Alex have been preparing in advance of Debbie's return. 

    So after refueling on coffee and croissants, the remaining five magnolias headed off in the rain (actually just sprinkling) to the musee d'Orsay thinking this was a good thing to do on a rainy day, but, apparently, so did everyone else in Paris.  After queuing for a bit and approaching the entrance we learned the museum workers were on strike and our visit would be free, but, unfortunately, the third floor which houses the impressionist paintings was closed.  Of course, this was the main exhibit the magnolias wanted to see.  Also, there was a special Manet exhibit through July, but the queue was way too long to attempt to view it.  Although we missed the bulk of the impressionist paintings,  our visit was splendid and very worthwhile, crowds and all.  

    After our museum visit we headed to a nearby cafe for lunch.  We ordered escargot (snails) for the table.  Although some were hesitant, we all agreed they were very good, but I must say our method of deploying the snails out of the shells was a replay of Julia Robert's in "Pretty Woman".  I 'm sure very amusing to our fellow diners.  We each ordered entrees, some of which were a surprise, but nonetheless enjoyable.

    After lunch Sara R. bid adieu to the group and headed back to the hotel for a rest.  The remaining four Magnolias began a marathon tour of Paris.  We saw the Palace of Justice, Saint Chapelle and Notre Dame.  Then we headed to Montmartre to meet up with Sara R.   Our metro stop choice put us in the hood -- and I do mean the hood!!!!   We were approached  by men wanting to sell us cigarettes and who knows what else.  Had we been 40 years younger we might have been "Taken"!!!  

     We could not get out of there quick enough, but the problem was we didn't know where to go.  So we stepped into the alcove of a "jewelry" shop to check our map.  We hadn't been in there 30 seconds until the garage door starting closing us in.  Jeanne Marie screamed, we all ducked under and ran as far as we could.  

     We finally asked directions.  BUT when we saw the mountain we had to climb, we would have turned around had Sara R not been waiting for us on the stairs at Sacre Coeur, the cathedral in the Montmarte area.  We all agree we should have great butts by the time we get home from the manual stairmasters we have encountered along the way.  Our arms may be flying in the wind, but not our butts.  Is anyone interested in the Magnolia exercise program?  

     We visited the cathedral, enjoyed vin in Montmarte and purchased watercolors  from starving, well maybe not, artists in the area.  We walked down the way for a view of the Moulin Rouge & perhaps the red light district and then on to the Eiffel Tower via the metro while serenaded by an accordion player en route.  

What a magnificent sight the Eiffel Tower is at night.  It was around 10 PM when we got there and we  were fortunate to experience the lighted tower in all its glory.  After taking it all in, we headed toward our hotel on foot and stopped in a restaurant along the way for dinner at midnight.  Not midnight at the oasis, though the vin was plentiful, but sufficient for midnight.

  On another note, our hotel in Paris "Hotel de la Motte Picquet" is a three star rather than a five star but is in a wonderful location near the Eiffel Tower,  the A/C blows snowflakes and the staff could not be better.  They are most accommodating and we have everything we need around us.