15th Anniversary Trip - Day 9

Day 9 was a see Paris day. We traipsed along the Seine, gaping at buildings and trying to take in the amazing sites. But one of the most touching sites we saw wasn't in our guidebook. As we came upon a bridge we realized it was absolutely covered in relatively small locks. Written on the locks were various names and inscriptions.

Apparently we had found a Lock Bridge. The ritual goes like this: you inscribe (or write) you and your true love's name on the lock, attach it to the bridge and throw the key into the Seine.

Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I found the whole thing so wholesome and romantic.

On our way to the hotel a couple days earlier we had passed next to the Louvre, the world renowned art museum. I was determined not to step in there to take in just the well known pieces of art. No, if I was going to the Louvre it would be with hours to spend and no sense of urgency.

Shira was kind enough to let me play my little game, and so in the afternoon on Day 9, we hit the Louvre. I couldn't resist purchasing the add on audio/video tour guide. I figured that if I was going to take the time to see this well known museum I should try to get as much from it as possible.

So I put the headphones on, and selected the "Masterpieces" tour of the museum. As the device talked me through various rooms Shira tagged behind me, snapping some photos and generally trying to be very patient.

Whatever expectations I had of the Louvre, they were blown away with what I actually saw. It's not just the art, but the massive scale that it's available on. It's statue after statue, painting after painting, all presented in huge galleries. Clearly you could come here every day of your vacation and only begin to scratch the surface of the collection.

When my hour long tour was done, I was ready to take another, but figured Shira needed a break. As I returned the audio/video setup--which I highly recommend if you visit--I realized that my tour had essentially shown me the handful of high profile pieces in the museum (with much commentary along the way). My goal of not acting like a typical tourist had failed miserably. But that's OK, what I saw left me too impressed to care.

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