Nine miles is what we walked in one day on the streets of Paris.  We have shown you the highlights and now we will show life between the monuments.  Isn’t it true that life keeps happening outside of the pictures we all post on Facebook, Instragram, blogs and other social media?

The exhaustion after four hours on the Eiffel Tower.  The kids collapsed while Den and I figured the best way to go to the Louvre.  It would make sense for some to catch a bus to quickly cover the 1.8 mile span to the Louvre but there is so much detail one can absorb by walking……..sorry kids.  My parents did it to me and I could almost guarantee our kids will do the same for their kids.

“Dad, I’m thristy.  Dad, I’m hungry.  Dad, I’m tired.”  These words are often muttered on a trek across the city by all the kids.  To which we answer, “We’re almost there.”

Finding internet for the big kids is a treat so they can post highlights and selfies.  As soon as they’re logged in we lose them but I do love that they can connect with their friends and share their adventures.

The kids were great to entertain Raleigh and themselves while I got caught up in shooting some locals playing boules, a game closely related to the Italian game of bocce ball.  Our family plays bocce ball at most summer birthdays and holidays so it warmed my heart to take 20 minutes to observe the game so far away from home.

These men were very serious at their game.  One tosses a little ball and they each have 3 steele balls that they try and get closest to the little ball.  A game of skill and maybe a little luck.  These guys were GOOD!

This gentleman had 3 steele balls and a heavy tape measure in case it’s too close to eyeball who is closer.  It also had a heavy magnet on the end so he didn’t have to bend over to pick up his balls.

Oh yes, and here is our happy family in front of the Arc de Triomphe……NOT.  I thought it was kind of small, but honestly had no idea the size so we gathered for a picture and later found out that we were posed in front of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.  Go ahead and have yourselves a good laugh!  This is actually half the size of the real thing.  The Arc de Triomphe was comissioned by Napoleon to be built so he could prance under it after his victories, but it didn’t get done in time so they quick threw this little one up so he’d have something to ride under……..oh brother.

So I usually lagged behind a good 10 minutes, soaking in the culture and this is what I found…..I made them smile for the picture!

How could I not stop to observe this pigeon whisperer.  Ladies were paying him to take their hand and bring them into the center of the pigeons for pictures.

 

We made it to the Louvre.  The is just a small portion of it.  The museum boasts 13 miles of corridors.  The girls wanted to have a nap before we went in.  Upon entering the monstrosity of a museum we soon realized that we made a big, rookie mistake.  They stopped selling tickets at 5:15 and it closed at 6.  Den looked at his watch, it was 5:26.  

It didn’t even occur to us to check the hours.  For Pete’s sake, the Eiffel Tower sells their last tickets at 9:30!  At least the girls will have something to look forward to when they come back to Paris some day.

On the bright side,  we found a goat.

This hairy guy had a long chain on him and we are guessing his job was to keep the grass mowed in a narrow ditch.

Interestingly enough they have these nap inducing chairs around every beautiful fountain, where you can watch the ducks and the people passing by.

All good days must come to an end as did this one.