Lazy and the Louvre

This morning my selection of food and the memory of yesterday's weather caused me to linger in the apartment longer than normal.. I didn't leave until 1:00! It was nice - I think I have really been needing some rest. My Canadian friend and I decided to meet at the Louvre at 3:00 (via email), so from the time I left until then I meandered from the Marais to the second most visited museum in Europe. (The Vatican leads in visitors.)

On the way, I stumbled upon:

the Forum des Halles and the Bourse du Commerce, perhaps?

the Fountaine des Innocents.

the Seine with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

the former royal palace that houses the Louvre (this is the eastern side).

fountain within the castle walls: the Pavillon de l'horloge.

one of the Louvre's famous pyramids.

view from afar.

I met up with Kelly and his new friends (also Canadian) Jillian and Thalia - yay for new friends! Once inside the Louvre, we said hello to...

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

the Raft of Medusa by Théodore Géricault.

Venus de Milo (2nd century BC Greek).

a fun Chilean guy.

We did a very quick run through (Kelly left on the night train tonight), but I plan to go back at least once to spend a more time in awe. It is amazing how many pieces of art are housed here. It's unbelievable. Anna would have a heart attack. Speaking of which, I wish she were here to tell me what's going on during these art periods, etc.

inverted pyramid. (I think this is mentioned in the da Vinci Code.)

view of the Eiffel Tower again, from the Tuileries Gardens, adjacent to the Louvre.

My new friends and I parted ways here, with plans to meet up tonight and tour the bar scene. On the way back to the apartment, I made a few stops: two croissants, more tomatoes and lettuce, fresh sliced ham and brie cheese. Look how terribly big my dinner was!

but it's all healthy.. right??

Since then the girls and I have changed our minds about going out.. I think partly because of the cold weather. Instead I am going to bed early, with plans of rising early and touring another museum or two before my pastry class in the afternoon! I'm so so so excited! I might become the best pastry baker in Mississippi - well at least for a month or two. :)