Sunday Stroll

January in Paris makes me want to turn into a bear and hibernate until March. It's not that it's necessarily unpleasant outside, it's just that the perpetually grey sky and the constant cold and wind prevent me from ever finding out. It's easy enough to justify staying cooped up in the morning (I'm sleeping, showering, eating breakfast, and nothing in Paris opens until after 10, anyway) and even in the evening (it's dark, there may be muggers, I have to get ready for bed, and everything in Paris closes at 6, anyway), but there's always this annoying middle part of the day when everything is open and there's something resembling sun, or at least light, in the sky and no excuses readily present themselves, so I have no choice but to leave the apartment, or suffer horrible horrible being-lame-in-Paris guilt. Anyhow, today, encouraged by a slightly lighter shade of grey sky, I managed to wrest myself from my bed and set out for walk. So here are some pictures I should have taken months ago:

Started at the Louvre

Jardin des Tuileries and the fake Arc de Triomphe

This guy isn't scared at all

Perhaps he didn't read the sign?
("Tigress bringing a peacock to her young")

Actually, birds landing on statues seems to be a big problem in the Jardin des Tuileries. Luckily, I had an idea...

I saw these on a bridge once.

I should be an urban planner.

Place de la Concorde

Obelisk de Luxor trying to fit in the frame

National Assembly
Some characteristically pretty buildings

Army Museum, Invalides

Upon reaching the entrance to the World's Fair, I considered my journey over.

In other news, I just booked my ticket to Italy for spring break. I could not be more excited for this trip!