A Date With Quasimodo

So today was the day to finally see Notre Dame. The glimpse i had of it the day before was enough to get me excited but what I saw today up close was enough to take my breath away. This beautiful stone structure nis so detailed, so tall, and just incredible. And that was just the outside. As soon as we got inside I almost teared up it was so magnificent. Pictures cannot do it justice. It was so dark inside but that only enhanced its grandeur and mystery. It may be slightly smaller than other cathedrals I have seen here and in England but it is by far my favorite church I have seen. I would totally go to church again every Sunday just to see it! Anywho our next place to visit was the Conciergie, something I had no idea what it was before but thought the pictures were cool. Turned out to be something that started out as a residence for French Kings but turned into an official building and then a prison during the French Revolution. So I got to see where poor Marie Antoinette was held prisoner. Apparently prisoners could pay to have nicer cells with beds and desks....kind of amusing.
We headed back to the square where Notre Dame is and sat at a cafe for lunch overlooking the cathedral. I had been eyeing these sandwiches called croques where the cheese is melted on top and finally got to order one for lunch. Sooo good! We were shocked to get ice in our water but I guess thats what happens in touristy restaurants. There is nothing like sitting near this grand church and hearing the bells going off, its Quasimodo at work i guess! We sat in the square for a bit, waiting for our next place to see to open up. OF COURSE there once again had to be a creepy clown following us around...this time whistling the Tequila song. He may not have come up to me but he kept wandering near us and freaking me out. Other characters in the square consisted of beggar women sitting near the line into the cathedral and then running away when police cars drove by. I think its illegal to beg in Paris because there really haven't been too many around.
Next was Sainte Chapelle, a beauifully decorated church,  all painted with gold and tons of stained glass.  Once again,  like everything it seems, it was being renovated. We wandered around a bit more, saw this super cool tower that was only a tower and not connected to anything and this grand building that looked like it should be a palace but had no idea what it was. Some maps and guides we've got...
We headed back to the hostel,  took a quick nap (man have I been exhausted) and headed back out for dinner. We roamed close by and found an Italian cafe and had some of the best pasta ever. I had gnocchi wnd Michelle had risotto.  Paired with a bottle of wine and creme brulee for dessert,  it was a delicious dinner. There is honestly nothing like dining at an outdoor cafe, and since there seems to be more space than cafés in New York,  its a whole different experience.
I keep falling more and more in love with this place every day. Tomorrow is the château Versailles,  soooo excited!!