We arrived in Paris early Sunday afternoon and had two and a half days (and some sunshine!!) to wander around and see a smattering of the many sights of the city! We walked along the Seine and marvelled at Notre Dame's exterior. The intricate carving and detail on these buildings continues to amaze me!
Inside is a magnificent display of vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows! Hordes of people too with flashes flashing - despite the clearly marked signs forbidding it!! The fact that it is a place of worship makes it even more disturbing to see this request being so blatantly ignored. That and the tourists posing in front of the altar makes me wonder what, if anything, goes through some peoples' minds when they visit such attractions?!!
The tour book warned about pickpockets at many of the tourist attractions - including Notre Dame. While we didn't see any evidence of that, we did see a lot of beggars and scam artists. Several women were wandering the streets of the city. One stopped and asked "Do you speak English?" When we replied, "Yes", she held out a piece of paper with a note about her father in Bosnia and her need for money to bring him to Paris. Others wanted money for food. Mom watched one woman approach a man (this one totally ignored the women...we were onto her!!) and present her "spiel". He was eating on a bench and offered her some of his bread. She took a bit but continued to request money. He finally gave her some money and convinced her to take some more bread. As she walked across the square, she slowly crumbled the bread and dropped it onto the cobbles behind her! It's hard to feel compassionate when you witness something like that! We eventually answered "NO!" when asked if we spoke English!!
At the Musee d'Orsay, a woman dropped a ring in front of Dad. Being the gentleman he is, he stooped to pick it up and return it to her. She was extremely grateful and attempted to give him the ring...then asked for money!
I became so jaded that I tensed up when two young girls approached me later in the week and asked if I spoke English. All they wanted was a photo of themselves in front of Notre Dame but I was expecting a scam!
We did the "hop on, hop off" tour of the city and it was fun seeing the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Opera through Mom and Dad's eyes! We strolled the Champs Elysees and walked through the Latin Quarter and around the Louvre. So much to see and do and so little time!
And then there were those moments that you just don't see everyday. We were driving by Place de le Concorde when we saw a mass wedding taking place...in the rain! 
Later, the contingent arrived at the Arc de Triomphe for a photo op. We had our doubts as to how legitimate this event was when we saw some of the outfits!!
But it provided a bright spot in a wet and dreary day!
And across from the Louvre, a movie was being filmed!
Our hotel was just around the corner from the Sorbonne
and we had dinner at a little sidewalk bistro one night beside the main building. Another night I enjoyed escargot, beef bourguignon, creme brulee and chocolat Viennois at a cafe along the Seine. A lunch on the Champs Elysees was another gastronomic highlight! I am going to miss the great food, leisurely pace and relaxed atmosphere I have grown accustomed to here! It is a magical city and I hope to return someday to explore the rest of its treasures and "secrets"!
