So… before I launch into today’s adventures, I’m soliciting opinions. Our original plan has us departing Paris early Tuesday morning and returning Friday afternoon/evening before our Saturday flight home. Tuesday afternoon through Friday morning was supposed to be spent in Provence. As our time here dwindles and I realize how little we’ve managed to squeeze in, I’m wondering if we ought to change our plans and stay here. Will we regret changing the plans? Will we be glad to have had more time in one place? What do you think?

That thought shared, today was an adventure indeed. Remember how our plans called for a jam-packed day of a trip to Versailles followed by the Eiffel Tower and a boat ride along the Seine? Ummm, yeah… about that:

a) It helps if you pay attention when getting on a train out of town. If you have doubts or wonder how you know if you’re getting on the correct train…

b) pay attention. Make sure that the stops are ones you’re expecting. If you aren’t expecting any particular stops for a while…

c) make sure that the train is, for instance, going in the direction you expect. A train traveling northeast of your location is unlikely to be heading to a city southeast of it. Oops. But our travels to some northern suburbs of Paris did afford us a very nice view of a windmill on a hill in the distance…

Versailles’ loss was the Musee d’Orsay’s gain. We spent several hours wandering one of Paris’ former train stations — now home to the semi-Modern art museum covering the years from 1850 to 1915 (or so…). I always enjoy a nice Monet and do not particularly care for opulence, so this was probably a good turn of events…. Plus we got to have a drink in the cafe where we sat in front of a giant clock that reminded me of the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkhaban movie. The only thing that confused me was why Mary Cassatt wasn’t included amongst the artists. I mean, I know she was technically American, but her work was all done from France, so generally that’s how she’s classified.

It was kind of chilly this evening with a brisk breeze, so we decided to postpone the boat ride until tomorrow, giving me a chance to procure a pashmina-style shawl to wear over my corduroy jacket. Thank goodness we made that decision because the crowds at the Eiffel Tower would never have permitted us to make the ride. The winds were bitter, particularly up on the top observation deck, but I’m so glad we went up to see the view. Really, really impressive. (I could do without the Eiffel Sparkle, though. It’s gorgeous from the ground, but kind of nauseating from up in the air.)

Tomorrow’s plans? Provided we have better luck following through on them, we’ll be heading to L’Arc de Triomphe and les Champs Elysses and Sacre Couer. And that bateau mouche ride, of course…

PS: Jenn, I ate that pain au chocolat for you today. We bought them at the farmers’ market at the Metro station, so I don’t think it could get much more authentic…