France- Day 2

It was cold and wet most of the time that we were in Paris. On our second day we to the Bon Marche. The department stores in France are like giant malls all in one store. Mandy looked at a lot of clothes but didn't find anything she could not live without. We picked some Rillettes du Porc for Isabel and Arndt at the food stalls at the Bon Marche.

After we went to the Bon Marche, we went to St. Sulpice and also went by the Arludick
which is the animation gallery I mentioned. They had a great exhibit and I picked up some Bill Presing books I did not have as well as the Rendezvous (the current exhibit)book and poster. It was a really nice exhibit and it made me think about some folks who could actually show pieces there and how much fun that would be.



After that we went by the Pompidou, the modern art gallery. We took some photos at the nearby fountain. This fountain was featured in the "French in Action" lessons that they used in the French classes Mandy and I took together in college. We reminisced about the exploits of Mireille and Robert.

The Pompidou.

We went to another large store, BHV. While we were there, a large group of protestors marched in bullhorns blaring, chanting something I could not quite understand. I asked a sales person what was going on, she informed me that the protestors were employees of the store. That the store decided to stay open later and these were the employees protesting having to work overtime. They marched onto the escaltors and sat down, making them break down and stop. They all cheered.

This was a lot of fun to watch. Only the French would put so much work into not working.

Speaking of political caricature, Barrack Obama images and parodies thereof abounded.

Afterwards, we went to Les Deux Magots and had coffee and sketched people. After this we walked through Les Halles, and ended up eating at Au Pied du Couchon, another Bourdain recommendation.

I had "St. Anthony's Temptation" which included pork snout, tail, ear, and the full "trotter" or leg with hoof.

After dinner we made our way to the Lourve. I dont know what I can say about this experience. It was 5 hours of wonder, inspiration, mixed with a little disgust and confusion. Everwhere you look is history and the greatest works of art in history. It is overwhelming. You start to wonder the value held in this property that has been home to kings, queens, and emperors. It was awe inspiring.

Hammurabi's code.

I love marble sculpture. It is like a weird magic to me. I tried it once and failed miserably.

As everyone says the Mona Lisa is underwhelming.

My poor wife was quite pooped after I drug her around for hours, "oh, look at this....wait look over there....oh my gosh that's the..." She was a great sport though.

The Venus de Milo. Supposed sculpted between 100 and 130 BC. Simply incredible.

After the Lourve we walked to a local cafe for dinner. Two French gentlemen were watching a soccer match, I think there names were Stadler and Waldorf.

Watching them was a blast and a great way to end the evening.