When you think of Paris...

...you inevitably think of the Eiffel Tower.

I didn't actually care about the Eiffel tower until I got there, and then I spent probably a good half hour or longer just taking pictures.  I'm really thankful that I brought my GorillaPod even though this is only the second time I broke it out.  It worked like a dream, obviously.  It allowed me to boot my stalker I managed to pick up on my walk to the tower.  How do these people find me, honestly?

You may also think of the Louvre.  (Which is not pronounced Loov-rah, contrary to what one of my hostel-mates in Zurich thought....)

Top left: Winged Victory.  The staircase was actually built with the sculpture in mind.  I was really excited to see it and it was really beautiful, even though the staircase was fully of people on their way to take selfies with Mona.
Top right: Typical tourist pose with the pyramids
Bottom left: I was really excited about my first glimpse of the pyramids
Bottom center: I may be a little obsessed about the glass pyramids
Bottom right: The Mona Lisa.  What do you mean "where?" Behind all the people looking at her through their viewfinders!

She's smiling like "look at all the dumbasses."

I was totally judgmental the entire time I was in the room with the Mona Lisa.  But really, your picture with the Mona Lisa?  Why?  It's the Mona freaking Lisa, it does not need your face next to it.  Why must you all do it just because everyone else it doing it?  And you don't need a perfect close-up picture of it.  If you want to look at it again up close, Google it.  I wasn't going to take any pictures at all, but the ridiculousness of the crowd needed to be captured.

Top left: one of my favorite pieces, as I was just walking by.  It was just so beautiful.
Top right: Look, I'm part of the Louvre!
Bottom left: trying to look at studious and artsy.  And failing.
Middle right: Everything in the Louvre is art.  Even the podiums the art sits on.  Even the ceilings.
Bottom right: "Love Differences" a modern installment in the basement.  Where it is actually nice and a cool temperature and not so crowded and there is a model of a moat.  So cool.



Farewell Paris!