Tuesday morning was grey. I headed to the Rodin museum. I was happy to find The Thinker, but even happier to interact with The Monument to the Burghers of Calais. Another surprise was learning about and seeing the art of Camille Claudel. When I was in the gardens it started to rain. Instead of ruining the day, it made it magical. I had my REI rain jacket so I was able to enjoy the sculptures with very few other visitors.

I had worked up an appetite and went looking for a burger. It was a small place, so in my best French I asked a couple if I could share their table. It was a minor disaster until a waitress helped interpret and the couple welcomed me.

After lunch I meandered my way back to the hotel for a siesta. In the early evening I made my way to Tour Montparnasse for stunning views. I spent a few hours at the rooftop bar. For dinner that night, I stopped at the local grocer near the hotel and picked up some fruit, cheese and cookies (no pics).

Wednesday I took the metro to St. Paul. I visited Eglise Saint Paul-Saint Louis. I walked past quaint shops on the way to the Picasso Museum. Picasso isn't my favorite artist, but I enjoyed the exhibit about his daughter and seeing their works up close.

I walked down Rue Rivoli. My 91 year old MIL had requested an "outrageous" t-shirt. I did my best! I had left over cheese and cookies for lunch.

In the afternoon I walked around the Palais Garnier and went to my scheduled tour at 5 pm. Wowsa! I was impressed with the history of Versailles, but if you want to see opulence, go to the Opera. The Phantom was the theme of the tour. We were able to sit in the auditorium and visit the Phantom's loge. The Grand Foyer and the Salons were beyond beautiful. Garnier was a genius. I ate dinner outside at an Italian Café.

Thursday arrived, my last day in Paris. Where did the time go? My plan for the day was to purchase macarons and chocolate to take home. My favorite macarons had been from Damyel, which meant that some falafel would be convenient for lunch. I still wanted a silk scarf or two for myself. The other item on the agenda was to rest and soak in as much Paris vibe as I could. I would be back to work on Monday.

I was getting to be a pro at nursing a Spritz or a Coke at a café and I had a favorite reading spot at Tuileries Garden.

What Did I Eat?

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I took another group tour in the last few days of my trip. I continued to enjoy being able to make my own choices. Tips to succeed at solo travel: carry a book, start the day early if you don't want to be on your own at night, set yourself some challenges like how many steps to take or things to find, pack light for easy mobility, eat your large meal at lunch, mingle with other tourists and locals, and call home. Taking a Rick Steves' Europe tour is one of the main ways that I make solo travel work for me. It is a great mix of group and alone time. The most important thing is to not let being on your own keep you at home.

“To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. You are surrounded by adventure... let yourself go on the stream of the unknown.”

– Freya Stark