top: This is Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s La Bal du Moulin de la Galette (The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette). This is one of my favorite paintings and Renoir is my favorite Impressionist artist. I think I took a picture of all his paintings featured in the museum, that is, until I realized that you not allowed to take any photographs while in the Musee d’Orsay, but I didn’t realize this until after I had taken maybe 15 photos already—whoops.

Before I left, Tina recommended I write in a journal about my travels. I wasn’t too keen on the idea since I figured this tumblr is good enough but none the less I told her I would buy one when I arrived at Paris. Yesterday, I didn’t find anything special enough but at the gift shop I found a small booklet with this Renoir painting as the cover. Perfect. I like this painting so much that it may inspire me to write in it.

This statue was my favorite in d’Orsay. I found it after reading the no-pictures sign, but thats okay b/c now I can embed it in this post.

This rose is for my mom because she loves all roses. I took it at the Musee de Rodin in the museum gardens. They had this lovely bushel of orange roses that I know you would have appreciated for the color.

After Rodin Museum, I tried to find my way to the Musee Orangerie. I got a little lost but was able to see 3 really cool places on accident.

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Here is a story about a new plan of action to avoid talking to randos:

While waiting for my discoverwalk.com (I recommend them btw) of Montemarte district to start, I’m pretty sure I saw a drug deal but I can’t be certain since I don’t know what they were saying. One of the guys smiled and asked me a question, perhaps if I wanted some? I have no clue. I kinda smiled and just put my hands up in confusion.

[Quick tangent: He asked if I spoke Dutch which is really confusing because he isn’t the first person to ask me that. What? I have dark hair and look hispanic with a touch of Asian apparently—say my NU friends.]

Back to our story. I decided to answer, “hablo espanol.” He tried to gesture and say something still but I was still confused and he and his buddy left.

Later, as I wandered lost on my way from the Sacre Coure to the metro, I again told someone sorry (in french), hablo espanol y ingles. My plan didn’t work this time because he spoke decent spanish….Lol, I think I’m going to respond in arabic to the next random guy.

The only other notable thing today was that I avoided a scam. I have Andrea (or maybe Travis) to thank. I was holding a map, the sign of a tourist, when a gentlemen approached me with clear english if he could see my hand. I saw the thread for a friendship bracelet, said no, no, and bolted. Thank you Travis/Andrea. Although, I only had 3 cents in Euros on me which would have nice to be able, honestly, only pay him so little.

versailles tomorrow!