Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Traveling: Les Invalides

Our hotel is a block from the Seine near the Eiffel Tower. Whenever we head out toward the Metro, we walk along the river. My youngest niece and nephew and I always lag behind to experience the petit moments: time that is found between the minutes. Along the river sut barges and houseboats. My nephew is very athletic and likes to jump on or up on everything that he comes across. A couple of days ago, he asked if I would bet him to jump on one of the barges. I told him that I would give him 20 Euros if he did it. Well, of course he did it! It was a sucker bet. Today, the first rain that we've seen, we took our usual spot up in the rear. There, we came across two swans taking a nap between two of the boats.
Oh sure, everyone is irritated by our dragged heals, but we are seeing the moments between the minutes on our trip. And if I can give them anything, I can guve them this lesson.

Today's big detination was Les Invalids, which houses the largest military museum in Europe. My brother-in-law and eldest nephew love history and war. I wasn't too keen on going, but I figured that I would be able to entertain myself somehow. The dawdlers and I were in the rear. Caroline was given this great Napoleon hat to wear. Isn't it a great picture. After scanning through the rooms of swords and soldiers, the three of us found a bench to hang out on. Before I knew it, I was taking a cat nap and my nephew put the hat in my head and took pictures. I roused and it gave him a laugh. He promised me that the pictures would not show up on Snapchat. Ha!

The tomb of Napoleon was pretty cool to see. I'm not sure if it is worth the price of admission if you're not a military history fan, but it captured my attention in an otherwise dry activity. Plus, the cathedral it is housed in that was built by Louis XIV was spectacular.

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