Day 2

So, today consisted of Luxembourg Gardens, The Rodin Museum, "Boutique Walk", and Saint-Sulpice.

But before addressing the actual events of the day, I must comment further on the attire here. Men seem to have a rather warped view of fashion, as almost all suit-coats are cut so that they taper at the waist, giving them an oddly hour-glass body shape. The coat is then paired with VERY fitted dress pants, leaving the observer wondering whether he is confused as to his gender or if he'll even be able to reproduce with pants that restrictive. In summary, the suits are basically a child's suit, elongated, and put on skinny men. Also, hardly anyone wears a belt, as the tightness of their pants more than eliminates such a tedious component of the male wardrobe.

But that is neither here nor there. On to our exciting day! We woke up a bit before 8 and then walked to the Rodin Museum, after eating a bit of the food we had gotten from the market the night before. We were only able to visit the house at the time, as it was raining-a-pour, but we came back later this afternoon to see the gardens and take better pictures. Rodin's work is housed in this gorgeous house (Hotel Biron) built in the 1700's by a wealthy wig-maker wishing to display his newly acquired fortune. After the building was abandoned, Rodin used it as his studio and to help promote and display his work. His work is similar to Michaelangelo's in his treatment of the human form, but I rather frowned upon his portrayal of women throughout the museum. Often, in the sculptures depicting lovers, the woman is shown in emotional abandon. while the man either looks uncomfortable and hesitant or bored and uninterested. Annoying, to say the least. But all of the misogyny was worth it to see The Thinker and The Burghers of Calais in person.

We then walked onward to Luxembourg Gardens, which was a pretty and in bloom, and watched all of the joggers as we ate our lunch. (Additional note: it must be French law for men's running shorts not to exceed 5 inches in length)

On our way to each of these places we popped in to a bunch of little shops selling some of the cutest stuff! So some of you have some pretty awesome gifts coming your way :)

Our next stop was Saint-Suplice, which is this cathedral with murals by Delacroix filling the alcoves. It was absolutely gorgeous to walk through and we got to stay for the service and hear the organ and music echo powerfully throughout the sanctuary. It gave you goose-bumps, it was so painfully sweet sounding.

Napoleon's tomb was next on our list, so we headed back towards our hotel, visiting different shops that caught our fancy along the way. Seeing his enormous and expensively decorated mausoleum, one wonders what he was truly making up for, with the building's ridiculously vast proportions. EVERYTHING is marble, including the intricately detailed flooring, seemingly designed to stroke his ego even in death. Around his tomb in a circle surrounded by laurel leaves, Napoleon has written in the marble floor all of his battles. Melanie and I tried to get the part with "Moscow" in the frame with our pictures of his tomb, but alas we could not get the shot, which would have pleased my malicious side delightfully.

We then went back to our hotel, where we took a nap, and hope to get some night-shots of the Eiffel Tower later on. Then we shall wake up at the butt-crack of dawn to visit the Notre-Dame, the Pantheon, the Cluny Museum, the Orsay Museum, and the Louvre!

Thanks for checking in guys! We love you!