Paris Day 2

Once again a rainy day. We slept late (like 10am) and got up and did a little work, then met Steph at her favorite outdoor cafe' for lunch, which is quite near the Louvre. After lunch, we toured the gardens outside of the Louvre, then went to the Orange Museum where we saw several large Water Lilly paintings by Monet. The museum was the original orange grove for the palace, which was enclosed and turned into a museum.

http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/

What was so amazing about this museum was how close you could get to the paintings - you could see the texture and they became truly three dimensional. I explained to Steph how texture responses were part of Rorschach interpretation (ok, wierd connection I know) and their importance in connection with other people - we both commented how being able to get this close to the actual art elicited such a response.

The garden tour beforehand was really fun - actually we toured some yesterday as well. French gardens are VERY precise in their arrangement of color, texture and height - very different from English gardens.

Today was also Ray's birthday (55) - which we celebrated by dinner at a restraunt near the Eifle tower at my niece Anne's recommendation. Quite wonderful. We were going to walk to the tower after dinner - but it was pouring down rain, so we just came home. We can see the tower from our window, and it looks quite mysterious in the rain and fog. Tonight we pack up and go to the ship...boat...whatever. We found out that it's only about 2/3 full, so we're hoping for great service and a relaxing time!

Jim and Ray at some garden or another (actually Luxemburg gardens)

Ray and Stephanie

In one of the ponds outside the Louvre, they sail little sailboats to amuse the children - this one was being pushed around by ducks. It was quite a contraption, but very fun to watch!

Someone mysteriously sent flowers to Ray for his birthday - unfortunately it wasn't me, and we still haven't figured out who it was - but they were a wonderful surprise when we got back to the room before dinner.

Eifle Tower in the Rain and Fog