Rain was coming down this morning and we had no choice to make a break for it. Chris and I both bundled in water proof jackets and we put on Lilah's rain coat instead of her usual jacket since it wasnt that cold out. We then wrapped her legs in plastic bags so that they wouldnt get wet, ran to the Metro and headed to the Museum (Orsay). When we arrived at the building we looked at each other in horror as the line was around 500 people deep. We were ready to accept defeat when I suggested to Chris that the guy manning the line for handicapped people might take pity on us as there were no other people with kids in line. It was a long shot, but it actually worked so we were ferried in the side door with no wait. We purchased our tickets and headed for the entrance and in the 1 minute it took us to complete this finally step we got 4 conflicting answers as to whether 1) Lilah could ride in the frame pack and 2) The frame pack could come in to the museum at all. Chris is usually very good at holding his temper in situations like this and even he was starting to snap at the employees who were coming at us as clearly there was no consensus on the policy (most likely because only crazy people bring 1 year old's to the museum so it doesnt happen very often). Then one of them told us in English that they would give us a FREE STROLLER to use if we would just let them keep the frame pack out of the gallery. "You're gonna give us a stroller??" Chris asked. "Yes, Yes" they said. We go to the coat check were they are pointing and lo and behold there is an actual stroller loaner line (it also loaned wheel chairs, canes and those cane/chair combo things). We could barely contain our glee though also wondered why the person who sold us our tickets couldnt have simply directed us to the stroller line when she saw Chris carrying Lilah in the frame pack. Oh well. Museum was great and since we were so happy to have the stroller we actually spent a few hours looking around.
At the end of the rounds, there was a tactile exhibit with a beanbag chair that looked like an octopus. The pictures didnt come out but rest assured that Lilah was delighted to climb all over it while Mama lounged.
After the museum we headed to the Food Court at Gallery Lafayette (which we realized we had been to before). I had some of the best mediterannean food Ive ever had and Chris had his beloved sushi. After that, some shopping and some romping at home before heading out to dinner.
We looked online to find a good place to eat since we have learned that Paris is not a friendly city to eat in with a baby. The first place we tried touted its all you can eat Steak and Frites and desserts however they failed to mention that Steak and Frites was the ONLY thing on the menu. As we were both planning to order that anyway, it might have worked out however it was 25e a piece and that was just too much so instead we went to our favorite French chain restaurant. Hippopotamus. They even have high chairs, the only restuarant in all of Paris so far as I can tell. An hour later, we are finishing up and Lilah is throwing potatoes and crayons on the floor while screaming. The old guy at the table next to us starts giving me the stink eye. Dude. You are at a restaurant whose logo is a giant Hippopatamus. What do you expect??
Tomorrow we leave Paris after lunch and its been a great time although I dont think I would ever come back with a baby. Or if I did, it would be for long enough that Id have time to walk rather than take the metro and make it worth it to shop for groceries.
PS: Lilah has traded in her Mercedes for a Mini Cooper
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