Lets get one thing straight . . .

Whats this? Oh this is what happens when there is a protest! Huge cleaning crews follow RIGHT behind it and sweep up all the fliers ect that people drop. My dad came last weekend and we went to pompidou only to be confronted by . . .

A huge screaming whistle blowing mass of people. I really am not sure what these people are protesting. I think it was something to do with prison reform . . . I couldn't get a great look at the signs.

But people in France are striking in general now. The transport systems, including the metro, RER, and regional trains are all down to 15 or 20% of their usual rates, the SNCF is barely running, and the energy grid announced big energy cuts. The students aren't happy and threatening to protest (I hope no manifestations like 2 years ago) and some people have already started striking. My friend in Nantes sent me and email saying they have created a line where they boo and hiss at you if you try and cross. Not to mention that the police may be stageing little protests. My dad and I saw about 35 cars all in a row with their sirens on just calmly driving through traffic. The little old lady next to me told me that they were unhappy with their salaries. Horray France! They voted in a reformer and now are protesting his reforms. We will see if Sarko holds out.

Someplace calmer. A fake forest in Pompidou!

Being touristy at Sacre Coeur

Also we had my second celebrity Paris sighting ever! Famke Janssen was up here with her little dog who was wearing a sweater and buying a crepe. Celebrity sighting points!

For whatever reason there were hardly any ines anywhere in the louvre and we walked right up to Venus. My other pictures of her she is about 100 ft away with 300 people between me and the statue. We also saw an Islamic master piece exhibit that was pretty cool. Lots of intricit detail.

Dying Slaves

This was at Troncadero, its huge (note the people in yellow stading there) and it opened as I was coming down the steps. ITs a giant Mike shoe box.

People who are in love

Walked over to the tunnel where Diana died because its right next to a museum I was going to. Theres been a lot of hoohaa about it recently because they are opening up an inquest into her death. Also the jury apparently crashed in this same tunnel on their way to court.

Palais Tokyo and the modern art museum of the city. Looks pretty sad but is actually really beautiful.

In the fall when there are no tourists its also a skaatepark for 12 year old french boys.

Class field trip! Rodin museum!

The kiss

He made all these amazing sculptures of hands. He always used two right hands, so its as if two diffrent people are facing each other.