We just returned from a nice evening with GWEC. We went to a more authentic French bistro for dinner—authentic in that most of the diners were French—and sitting next to us was a particularly French threesome, who smoked a pack of cigarettes before starting their main course. The food was good again (which is getting rather old), and I ate yet another superb fois gras. Doolies and I are responsible for choosing the restaurant tomorrow night, our final night in Paris. We’ll see how Doolies does. (Doolies is the planner of the relationship; although, I’m happy to take team credit when she does something well.) Mr. Steve has many suggestions, and we’re looking for a nice restaurant in a different but close neighborhood.

After napping after writing earlier, we visited the D’Orsay museum. As expected, there was a horse statue outside (I have photographic evidence), which validates my Horsie Museum name. The museum was better than expected, containing the impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. We arrived at 5pm and the museum closed at 6pm, with sections starting to close at 5:30pm, which left us little time to run around and take photos of famous paintings. As Doolies liked to say, “That one looks famous, take its picture.” We rushed to the top floor, which housed the impressionists, including Monet, Van Gogh, and a whole bunch of other painters whose names I would know if I remembered anything. I discovered I’m a late-stage Van Gogh person, enjoying his paintings where he sees everything in crooked swirls. My theory is he painted these when he was in his less sane state—something I am capable of appreciating. I can’t wait to see the Picasso museum tomorrow because I understand his work is even more bizarre.

After leaving the museum, we bought t-shirts for my nieces, which (hopefully) completed our shopping for the trip. Other purchased items include: new socks and sneakers for Doolies the first day out, since she only brought “stylish” shoes, which is the same as terribly uncomfortable shoes; a new scarf and jacket for me to replace my tattered-green coat; chocolates from the hot-chocolate joint; metro tickets; Jewish Art museum tickets; 3-day museum passes; and heaps of food.

After dinner, we went to an Irish pub and had a great time drinking beer (GWEC drank beer and Doolies and I watched) and talking crazy talk. It’s nice to drink and eat with good friends. Doolies is showering the smoke off her body, and after I finish this, I plan to reacquaint myself with sleep. We have an art-museum heavy day tomorrow, attempting to make up for our shortened earlier visits.