Stairs, stairs and more stairs....

Today we got up bright and early after almost 12 hours of blissful sleep. We had our route all marked out. First stop, St. Chappelle. This is the oldest cathedreal in Paris, built around 1248. The most impressive thing about the cathedreal, is it's tall, tall stain glass windows. The windows are about 100 feet high, almost floor to ceiling. We were told to go on a sunny day, but unfortunately, it was a little cloudy today. I wasn't sure if this was the only opportunity for me to get to St. Chappelle, so J&J and I went in. It's very impressive. I just wish it were sunnier! (oh well, these things happen!) Did I mention that we had to go up about 100 round stairs just to get into the cathedreal? I was dizzy just going up and down those stairs.. (the stairs are always "tiny" compared to what we have back home...)

Next stop - Notre Dame! After wandering inside for a little bit, J1 & I decided to do the gargoyle tour. Well, after climbing all 425 stairs (around, around, around, around - just a wee bit dizzy, and out of breath by the time we got to the top) it was quite the sight. It was interesting to see all the gargoyles up close (see photos already posted). Time has weathered away some of the detail - but keep in mind, the gargoyles have been "guarding" the cathedreal since 1345, so they looked pretty good for something that is 6 1/2 centuries old!
We also saw "Quasimodo's" bell in the bell tower - that bell is massive! After going down and around, around, around around around all 425 steps... it was time for lunch! We stopped at a sidewalk cafe to have crepes... yummy! J1& I split a "crepes marron-chantilly" - meaning, crepes with chestnut & whipped cream... and of course, we had a coffee to go with it! J2 had eaten previously, but he joined us in the coffee. It was nice just to sit and watch the people go by, listen to all of the languages being spoken - trying to guess who is from there.

After that, we walked around Illes des Cite for a little bit, found an Italian Gelato place and had some gelato (I told you this is all about the food! ;-) Walked around a bit more, and decided to split for a couple of hours. J&J went to a sculpture museum, while I went on to the Shakespeare & Company bookstore.

This bookstore is an old bookstore that has been around since the 60's (well, the reincarnation of it, anyway - the original closed down when the Nazis occupied Paris during the second world war). Anyway, ka gave me this book "The Time was Soft There" by Jeremy Mercer to read while I was in Paris. This book is an account of the author's time spent at this bookstore, and his relationship with the owner, George Whitman (no relation to Walt Whitman). This used bookstore makes no apologies for having left wing books, and the owner seems to enjoy a good debate now and then. His daughter, Sylvia now manages the bookstore, and apparently, things have dramatically changed (well, the store is neat and organized now... ;-) Anyway, I'm always amazed whenever you read of a place, then one day you are there to see how close your imagination was....

After that, spent a little time at Cafe Panis (almost mentionned in the book) and I believe I actually ran into the author (not 100% on this one). Too chicken to ask, but anyway, you never know... Had un cafe while writing the first batch of post cards... then went back to the flat to meet up with J&J for the evening...

Tomorrow - Versailles!