strolling streets

I'm telling you, you're going to be sick of seeing pictures of this beauty all year round! /

Why can't apartment buildings in the U.S. look like this?

I can't get tired of gazing up at them as I stroll on sunny days.

I was lucky enough to go on a tour of Hôtel de Ville, which is really just fancy for city hall,

a few weeks ago. The mayor was hosting a meeting so we were only able

to view a few rooms, but it was still very impressive. /

I took a trip to Musée d'Orsay a couple Saturdays ago to view the Van Gogh exhibit while Mark was out of town. It was an interesting museum. I'm glad I saw it, but I'm not sure I'd return for a second time. On the top floor, you can gaze out the clock windows and spot the Louvre, Sacré Cœur and other Parisian beauties. The museum used to be a train station... that's the reason behind the big clocks.

I'm going to miss public transportation. I had a good conversation with a new friend the other day about how it's not appreciated in most U.S. cities (or at least Texas cities). Unfortunately, it has a bad rep. People think it's dirty, has too much riff-raff and is for those less fortunate. I'm ashamed of that. Those not utilizing it are the fools. It gives people jobs and eliminates a little air pollution. Why not jump on the positive bandwagon? I enjoyed taking the rail when I could in Houston. Most people thought I was nuts, but who wants to sit in traffic and then search for a parking spot if you don't have to? The metro is here is definitely not clean, but it is efficient and utilized. /

This park sits on top of the train station and is right across the street. It has tennis courts and ping pong tables... so that's next on the list... ping pong paddles or tennis rackets, that is.

Another day... another protest. We have a lot of "gatherings" outside our apartment because we live near Le Poste (the post office). Supposedly all manifestations must be on public ground. This one was on the street and marched through the city, but a lot of times people just get together, chant some things, play music and are more of an annoyance than anything. /

I can't stop... it's just too pretty!