Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 05:54, by Teri
End of Day 3 - In search of Ice SkatingWe left the hotel after the post yesterday evening in search of an ice skating rink. We agreed on the one by the Tower Montparnasse - just a few blocks from our hotel. When we arrived, unfortunately, we found it closed (it appears they do not have evening hours). Kristen opted to return to the Tour Eiffel, so we headed back for the Metro and hopped the train.  It seemed to have been much colder than the last visit, but it was fun and Kristen remembered her way like a tiny computerized map. We got to the Tower and then quickly agreed we would ride the carousel. The ride didn't last very long, but with the Eiffel Tower on one side and the River Seine on the other, it was amazing!
After the carousel, we took what we have read was considered a "mandatory" night boat ride on the River Seine. I see now why it is considered mandatory. It was beautiful. The Tower started twinkling after we were on board, and I was getting a better idea of the timing. It seems it twinkles "on the hour". Kristen and I sat in the back (open) part of the tour boat as I photographed every dark thing I saw (truly, it looked MUCH lighter than the photos portray!!!) until my camera's battery died. Egads! I had not put the spare in my purse. Kristen had gone to the inside (windowed) cabin about 10 minutes earlier, and now, with no batteries for photography, I joined her. I have to admit, in the heated comfort of the cabin, I was rather glad the camera was finished for the night!  Most of the bridges (at least the older ones) were elaborately decorated, and truly beautiful to see and pass under. We passed by the Louvre, Museum d'Orsay, Notre Dame, and dozens of other attractions I can't recall the names of. The ride was approximately 45 minutes. Delightful!
When we disembarked, Kristen just *had* to have a cotton candy, which I truly should have photographed (but could not). It was as wide as she was, and a third as tall! She enjoyed her candy under the Tower as I sat on a park bench nearby; we witnessed another twinkling of the lights "on the hour". About half-way through the cotton candy, her fingers grew too cold to continue eating (quite frankly, she had more than enough, considering the original size of the thing), and she discarded it en route to the Metro. Back in our neighborhood, we stopped into the first bistro we had visited so I could have some dinner, and Kristen, of course, could have some French Fries. *sheesh* I had a steak with parslied butter and... french fries. An hour later, we were going to sleep watching "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" on the laptop. Today we go in search of the hop-on, hop-off. Kristen is still sleeping soundly, and I am watching a good amount of spitting snow through our double windows. It's pretty, and beats the heck out of rain! 
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