SAT. THE MONET EXHIBIT - finally!

OK, so the good news is, it didn't snow today!  But it did get down to 6.5°C and it was raining waiting outside and leaving the exhibit at the Grand Palais. It was huge, huge, grande!!! The largest in 30 years they said.

Now, for the bad news... you know how the man at the Palais on Tues. assured me to come back on Sat. No problem. This was at 6 pm as the exhibit was closing that night.  Soooo, I ASSUMED he meant Sat. aft as Tues they closed at 6,  oh no!  Today I get there early and each line's security person points to the 01:30!  5France is on a 24 hour clock. No one spoke English, so they kept sending me to dif line. This, in the rain. 'Course, there was also a clarinet player performing for the crowds in the rain!  By the 5th security person, I am sent to a short line. This new security gentleman spoke clear English and told me no problem, just stay in this line.  I did and within 30 minutes I was admitted in.  Yay!!!  Would you believe it was the time I was supposed to go in!?!

Once inside, while checking my coat, I saw the pictures showing we had to check our cameras and hats.  They were strict about cameras. One lady in the exhibit had hers in her hand. A Security person came over and had her show him her pictures on the camera!  You can't tear out the film anymore. Guess he  would have made her delete them if she had used it.  Well, I tried to check my classy 40's style teal felt cloche hat as per the picture, but the attendant wouldn't take it as someone translated to me.  When I looked at the pictures from across the room I could tell it was a motorcycle helmet!!! Oy voy!

The exhibit was more than worth the trip. It went thru Monet's life via his pictures. It was so huge it took 4+ hours to travel thru.  It was crowded, but as a whole very subdued. As typically French, they never quite bump into each other.  Foreigners do!  The French rule according to Rick Steve's is to be polite to others and talk in very hushed tones - even on the Metro.

So, now, I have to decide to take the Metro in tonight for my 1 AM Sunday ticket OR stand in line anytime Sunday!  At least I know which line!

Until tomorrow! Claudette