Sunday, November 30 - (Part 1 of the day) -  the Adventure Continues...

Today's agenda started out with meeting up with Nancy and Jim at Notre Dame so we could attend the Gregorian Mass. We hopped on the #69 bus. On Sunday morning, it was virtually empty--quite a contrast from yesterday when it was packed to the gills with Saturday shoppers.

The Mass was spiritually moving--chants, incense, and the enormity of the soaring ceilings in the cathedral. The service was very crowded--almost as many that we had seen at Christmas eve this past year. Notre Dame is already decorated for Christmas.

Even the manger scene is already in place--of course, without baby Jesus. This year's display is completely done with 'santons, the typical figurines from the Provence area of France:

Lloyd and I traditionally light several candles to honor our departed relatives. This year was no exception:

The various chapels that surround the interior of Notre Dame are filled with these small tributes.

The exterior courtyard of Notre Dame is a popular place for brides to use as a backdrop for their wedding photos. Unfortunately Mother Nature did not cooperate with this bride today, but she was not to be deterred:

Following the service, we set off to visit the crypts under Notre Dame that have been uncovered. They show the ancient ruins of the original settlement of the early city of Paris. Then we visited the Conciergerie, originally built as a palace turned into a prison during the French revolution.

More on these activities shortly.