I woke up to study at my usual time of 8:30, and eventually got to work. Despite not having that much to do this morning, I couldn't focus. My head was all foggy and I struggled to get my tasks done. I finally decided to take a break and do my makeup, which turned into me washing out my powder brush. I might have accidentally melted the center of it with the blow dryer, but a little bit of a hair cut fixed the problem for the most part. I finally finished my studying and got out the door a few minutes before noon.
Today's plan was to go to La fete de Neu-Neu. It's a carnival out by the lake that I loved so much last time. I could swear that I knew where I was going. Take the one to the FDR then the nine to La Muette. My friend even confirmed that it was next to a lake. I make the trek to the lake on the left hand side of the road where I had seen white tents before. I went way too far and ended up on a single line road through the woods where trucks were parked. I went back the other way and walked around the lake. It wasn't there, but now I know what that building is used for; horse racing. That's right. If you call yourself a betting man I know exactly where in Paris you can go to bet on a horse.
I had to walk all the way around the lake, cross the street, and to the end of the parking area. On my way I figured out what that building across the lake, to and from which a ferry crosses, is for. It's a fancy restaurant. I was just about to give up my search. This was the end of the road. Then I spotted a carnival ride in the sky and started fast walking towards it. I made it!
The carnival opened at noon, and it had to be before one (I forgot my phone at home), but it was practically empty. None of the rides were being used and there were only a few people walking around. I took a loop of the carnival and found the ice cream vendor. I got a single scoop of salted caramel for 2,50 and took it to the lake to eat in hopes that more people would come eventually. The ice cream was really good and came in a long cone. It had these nuggets of what I guess was salted caramel, but they tasted kinda like gum balls and were slightly crunchy.
The carnival is, of course, meant for children. There were the usual suspects; ferris wheel, splash ride, big slides, that ride that shakes you up and down, a few roller coasters, and claw machines. There was also an arcade and an array of children's rides. I was also surprised to see a Latin American food vendor among the two carnival stands selling cotton candy and doughnuts. Also, there was a Mexican food stand and a cocktail lounge.
I rode the arm swing for three euros. It's the one that has a bunch of chairs attached to ropes and swings them in a circle. It was so much fun!! Not only is it slightly thrilling, it gave me a great view of Paris (including the Eiffel Tower in the distance). I also went on a roller coaster called the taxi driver for two euros. It was meant for kids, but it actually gave me quite a scare! At this point I was feeling a little dizzy, and since I had already been on the arm swing, felt no need to pay five euros to go on the ferris wheel. I left the carnival and headed for my next adventure.
Oh, a guy hit on me, but I don't speak French. He was a little upset about it. He wasn't bad looking.
I was still a little upset about not going to Parc Moncea yesterday, so before I left the house I wrote down instructions on how to get to La Madeleine just in case I felt the need to go there after the carnival. I bought a metro ticket, and then I got back on the nine and took it to Saint Augustine and then transferred to the eight. I guess it's some kind of special line because it only serviced a few stops and was in a really nice station. I got one for one stop.
I got off at La Madeleine and had to take four different escalators to get to the street. My directions seemed so simple; Place de la Madeleine becomes some street and then within a few instructions you're at the park. What could go wrong. I should know better by now. I'm pretty sure that street doesn't exist. I just started walking down Boulevard de la Madeleine and hoped that I would find something. It's a super touristy area considering that Concorde and Opera are right there. Lots of fancy shopping and tour buses roaming around.
Look like Greece to you? Nope. It's just La Madeleine.
I consulted every mairie map I could to no avail. The park wasn't even listed on the map! I walked and walked, and then turned, and walked and walked. Finally I saw a sign for Tuileries and thought I'd head in that direction. At least I could hop on the one from there. I passed Square Louvois and took a picture. I remember the name from my histories class, but I don't remember why he's important. Maybe I'll google it later. I hurried my pace thinking that I was close to the Tuileries. I wasn't. I did, however, pass the Palais Royal and the Comedie Française. I knew the Louvre was right across the square.
Square Louvois
I'm going to admit it right now. I'm usually not a fan of decorative arts. Every time I hear the word I think of old furniture and wallpaper from the 1970s. This museum was none of that. It actually really rocked. I first went to the exposition about Chinese art. It turns out that Chinese art was used in minimal amounts by French kings such as Louis XIV. It's pretty, but not my cup of tea. The real thing looks a lot like the decor of every Chinese restaurant I've ever been to.
I next saw the Renaissance section. It was amazing! Everyone knows that I love religious art, and this section was great. I was really surprised by the amount of wood carving and painting on wood. There was even a section of glass pieces and a room reconstruction. Amazing.
Every century between the Renaissance and 1925 Paris is covered. I loved all of them. There were definitely a lot more paintings than I expected, and there were also a lot of glass and porcelain works. The pieces were really fun and playful, and I didn't expect it at all. All of the room creations were fantastic. While in Europe I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly as far as room creations are concerned, and this museum was by far the best.
I was really happy to find some still life paintings. I can fast walk past any number of Chinese plates and Victorian flower chairs, but a still life will stop me dead in my tracks. You say "Michaela, it's just a lemon slice on a black background! What's there to see?!". If you can get that amount of life and energy into the reflection on a lemon seed in another medium, then I'll think about giving up my still life paintings. It's unlikely though.
The museum was fairly small, and I got lost on my way to the exit. I ended up being dumped out into what looked like a car repair shop waiting room. I looked bewildered as I stared at the stairs, and the man at the desk called to me and pointed me out the door. I was hoping to go out the opposite door that I came in. Out the window of the museum I had seen a manicured series of hedges and people laying out in the sun. I had to go see it.
By this point in the adventure I was limping because my feet hurt so badly, but I had to see the park. Turns out that the space is right behind the Arc de Carrousel where I was for class on Wednesday! Sometimes it amazes me how much I can miss even when I'm standing right there. The area is actually really pretty, and was bathed in the late afternoon sunlight. There are rows of hedges that have been perfectly trimmed into rows in a sort of open-ended maze, and there are sculptures at the end of each row.
I also took a moment to admire the pink columns on the arc before descending into the carrousel to catch the metro. My tired feet made it home, and I collapsed into bed. I had been walking all day and hadn't eaten, so of course I ate enough for an entire day in five minutes. I also discovered the newest episodes of People's Court have been uploaded to youtube. After being around Judge Judy for so many weeks, People's Court is a little tame. It should keep me entertained for a few days.
I'm exhausted. Time for bed.
Oh, and I'm sorry Lauren. Museums don't photograph well :( I'll try to do better next time.
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