Walking Across Paris, Literally

Ahh. Finally after a long day I am back at the hotel relaxing. Since I did not write about our stay here in depth I will do so now.

So Joe and I arrived in Paris at Gare du Nord the train station after landing at the airport. We proceeded to get very lost. Somehow we walked like half a mile in the wrong direction and found ourselves in the shadiest garment district ever.

That was how we learned the first trick of travel. McDonalds always has free WiFi. Using that and wandering from hot spot to hot spot we eventually found our way to the lovely Hotel Touring. We checked in to find that our triple was actually a quad consisting of 2 full size beds. The first night HT slept on the floor and tonight Joe occupies that space. After unpacking and relaxing a bit Joe and I went exploring.

Joe tested, Clocks approved (photo by TravellingFool.com)

We waked to the local park where the kids were frolicking and playing football on the full size fenced in basketball court. We sat there for a bit just watching the people. We were in disbelief that this trip we spent so much time planning was actually happening. We stopped in a couple grocery stores and a wine shop that was small but had more delicious looking wine then I had ever seen. We asked the man to recommend a white wine and he said what kind of white. Joe requested something sweet and the man handed us a 5 Euro bottle. I thought for 5 Euros it would be decent swill, but when we opened it and drank it later that night when HT arrived we discovered it to be the most delicious white wine ever. It smelled like fruit punch but was light floral and sweet and dry. Amazing. We tried similarly priced wine from the bodegas but nothing even came remotely close.

We could not figure out what happened to HT the day we arrived and he did not show up until 10pm. It turns out like us he missed our 930am flight and ended up taking the 5pm flight.

Once HT joined Joe and I we went to the market to get baguette and meat and cheese for dinner. We came back to the hotel and ate and played cards. We were laughing and yelling loud enough for the whole hotel to notice I am sure.

Notre Dame (photo by TravellingFool.com)

We started our first and only full day in Paris early. Arriving at Notre Dame at 830 we entered after mass was over. It was amazing to see all the art and detailed architecture. Afterwards we started
walking towards the Louvre. We saw bike rentals and were going to do it until we noticed the 150 euro deposit. Even though we would get it back after returning the bike it was enough to deter us. In retrospect I kind of wished we had done it for a bit. I enviously watched people on them for the rest of the day.

After getting very lost and stopping in a supermarket for water we eventually found the Louvre. There we took lots of pictures and made a new friend. We dubbed HT the photographer since he took and helped take the best photos.

Obelisk in Paris (photo by TravellingFool.com)

Then it was through the garden to the Obelisk. After we saw that it was a long dirt road to the Arc de Triumph. On the way we stopped for the most delicious crepes ever. HT got sugar with lemon juice Joe got banana and nutella and I got cheese. Each one was amazing and filled us up for 2 or 4 Euros.

About 75 percent of the way to the Arc we realized that the Longchamp store that my mom asked I go to for her was back by the Obelisk. We retraced our steps and I wound up 200 Euros poorer and without a cellphone.

Arc de Triumph (photo by Travellingfool.com)

The road we walked down had every major brand from Parisian fashion. If I were rich I would have bought something from every store. When we were heading back to the Arc I was exhausted. Out of water with the hot Parisian sun beating down on me I thought I would die. I followed Joe and HT back all the way to the Arc nearly dying along the way. At the Arc we took photos and sat for a bit. Then we began the journey to the Eiffel tower.

By the time we got there I thought my knee would give beneath me and I would be forced to go the rest of the way crawling like a snake on my belly.

Eiffel Tower up close (photo by TravellingFool.com)

The Eiffel tower was amazing too. The size alone was enough to take your breath away. More pictures then we found a spot on the lawn right in front. I was never so relieved to not be walking what with my knee and ankle begging me to stop and my pace slower then a slug. With my phone lost somewhere in the Longchamp store I have no idea how long we napped there in the sun. All I know is that I felt very refreshed afterwards and ready to make the journey home.

We got back around 8 or 9. Having walked the full length of Paris we were ready to eat. Too tired and confused to find an open restaurant we ended up going back to the supermarket. Sandwiches yum! Exhausted we ate and played cards briefly. Packed and ready for our trip to Amsterdam tomorrow. Although we originally thought Paris would be the least of the four cities it turned out to be amazing.

P.S. the Kindle has been a lifesaver and excellent lifeline. Thanks for the free 3G world wifi Amazon!