986ft is really freaking high....

So, we went to the Eiffel Tower today. It was very nice and the views (despite the haze) were amazing. We took the stairs to the first two levels (I'll let Angela tell you how many steps it was) then took the elevator to the top (you have to, it's not an option we were not being lazy). Now, I've had a mild fear of heights for a while now. Usually it's not an issue. As long as I feel "safe" I can go as high as I like. The Arc? No problem. St Vitus in Prague? No problem. The top of the Eiffel Tower. Problem. Not lose my cool and freak out problem, but I was VERY uncomfortable. I was nice about it, but when Angela started trying to stick her head through the grate at the top my response was "Stop that now!" So, um, Mom. Thanks for passing that on. Much appreciated. Stacy, I feel your pain.

If you ever get the chance to go to the top (fear of heights or no) then take it. The view is magnificent. I've got a couple of photos that will eventually be posted. They are not so great (haze is horrible), but they give you an idea of what the view is like. It is gorgeous. Oh, and bring a jacket. Even if it's a warm day. It's breezy!

From there we wandered up the Champs de Mars (I think that's what it's called) towards the Rodin Museum. One panini and a kebab (for me) later we went to the museum to check out some sculpture. I had hoped to see a specific piece called The Fallen Caryatid Carrying her Stone (yes this is a Heinlein reference). However, I found somewhere online on Monday that said it was in fact in England. I was bummed. We get to the museum and the little map says it's there. Woot! Then I see it. It's inside a tent setup for some hoitytoity thing and you can't get anywhere near it. This sucked. Thankfully, he also made The Crouching Woman which I really enjoyed seeing. Actually, everything was interesting so I guess I can't complain. Well, yes I can. See, several pieces were not on display at all as they closed half the garden. So yeah. Poor me, I got to see some amazing art for about $5.50 on a warm sunny day in Paris. I'll quit the bitching now...

Two Maggots! My friend Jeffrey recommended we check out a cafe called Duex Magot. It does not mean two maggots, but I was convinced it was. Anyway, we sat outside and had a cappuccino and sweet snack. It was a great way to rest a bit and the little treat I had (a small raspberry "pie") was delicious. Yum! Tomorrow Alex is taking us to Angelina on Rivoli. For those that don't already know, this place has been recommended to me by two different people and our friend here in Paris LOVES this place (that makes 3 independent recommendations). He says it's the best hot chocolate in all of Paris.

After coffee and yummies, it was time to head to a photo store so Angela could get film. Now, Angela shoots in black and white. However, getting black and white film is not easy. The little tourist stores do not sell it, or if they do, it's the stuff that is developed in the same chemicals used for color. I used it once. Once. Let's just say it's not so great (this is a family friendly blog after all). While walking toward this store we could not find a single camera shop. And trust me, we have walked over a LOT of Paris this week. It seems to me that ALL camera and film stores in Paris are on the same street. Seriously. We got to Bd Beaumarchais and found the place right away. Angela was tired and took the Metro back. I decided I wanted to walk and kept going up the street. I saw no less than 10 camera/film stores (real ones like Calumet, not like on Market St in SF where they sell cameras and CD players). I guess they all like to be in the same place!

Oh and the plumber came to Alex's apartment to work on the shower drain just after we both got back. I don't speak French and he did not speak English. I made Angela talk to him. I'll let her tell that story