So, after Jacqueline and I met at CDG, we hopped on the RER train, and then transferred to a Metro train to get to the Hotel de Nevers. They have two very friendly gray cats who live in the hotel, and numerous pictures of cats on the walls.
Our room was not ready when we arrived (at about 10 a.m. Paris time), so we decided to head out and see the city. The day was sunny and warm, so it was a perfect day for a walk. The streets are very narrow, and all of the buildings look like they date back to the 1700s and 1800s. Very narrow roads. And there are these funny little energy efficient cars that are half the size of a normal car. A two-seater like Vanessa's car, with the back end chopped off. I took photos - they are hilarious! And everyone parks so close to each other - you've got about five inches between cars. I have no idea how they get out. Also, many people drive Vespas, and little motor skooters. They zip in and out of traffic, drive on the sidewalk, and park on the sidewalk, too!
We walked for a while, then came around a corner in front of the Hôtel de Ville, which is just an amazing sight. I gasped aloud when I turned the corner and saw it. That might be the first moment where I realized I was in love with Paris.
After that, we went to Notre Dame. As it was Sunday, Mass was being held. You are still allowed in the building, but have to walk around the perimeters - we were a little surprised we were allowed in; I would think it would be quite distracting to have a constant stream of people wandering by.
But the church is truly amazing. Definitely "gothic". Construction originally started in the 1100s (finished in the 1300s, I think); it has beautiful stained glass windows and a high vaulted ceilings, and statuary all around. And the pipe organ was massive - because we were there during Mass, we did get to hear it playing. There was a long lineup for the towers, so after we left, we decided to walk along the Seine.
As it was Sunday, there were vendors set up all along the riverside, selling souvenirs, paintings, books. We walked for a long way along the Seine, then crossed back over to the other side to see the Louvre, and then into the Jardin de Tuileries. By the time, Jackie desperately wanted a hot dog, and was quite piqued that there only appeared to be ice cream vendors in the Tuileries. We stopped and had some ice cream, then crossed the street where she suddenly discovered a hot dog vendor. It was 4.5€, so not a cheap hot dog, but it was what she wanted, so it's what she got.
We continued on to the Champs-Élysées and walked up to the Arc de Triomphe. We bought a ticket and climbed up the spiral staircase inside to the top. There was a nice cool breeze up there, and of course, a wonderful view of the city in all directions.
And how are the French like Disneyland? Every attraction ends with a gift shop. Like the Arc de Triomphe? Buy something! Like Notre-Dame? Buy something! Enjoy your hotdog? Buy something! (Okay, not quite.)
I am very glad I bought a 512MB card for my camera, because I've already taken many many pictures.
After that, we started back towards our hotel, stopping to wander past the Hotel des Invalides and take pictures of ourselves goofing off in front of the cannons.
By the end of the day, I had a sunburn (doh!). It never even occurred to me to bring sunscreen. Fortunately, Jackie has some sunscreen.
We finally returned to our hotel, where we had a room waiting for us on the fourth floor. Although there is a funky little elevator, Jackie finds it quite frightening. It's kind of like a fancy box on a string. I admit, the stairs are probably safer.
Our hotel room is pretty plain, but it has the virtue of being cheap. But we do have those great tall windows in our hotel room, with a flower box outside the window. I love to open them up and lean out (and maybe throw things at people on the street). No screens on the windows - if there are insects in France, I haven't seen them yet.
And hey, who hasn't always wanted a floor length window in their bathroom right next to the toilet?
On a slight aside, Jackie was convinced that people couldn't see through lace curtains at night, and did a little Moulin Rouge dance in front of the window. I am not convinced her show was as anonymous as she thinks.
(And yes, I had to write this entry up late because there is only one computer with Internet access at the hotel, and it's got a five minute time limit.)
Our room was not ready when we arrived (at about 10 a.m. Paris time), so we decided to head out and see the city. The day was sunny and warm, so it was a perfect day for a walk. The streets are very narrow, and all of the buildings look like they date back to the 1700s and 1800s. Very narrow roads. And there are these funny little energy efficient cars that are half the size of a normal car. A two-seater like Vanessa's car, with the back end chopped off. I took photos - they are hilarious! And everyone parks so close to each other - you've got about five inches between cars. I have no idea how they get out. Also, many people drive Vespas, and little motor skooters. They zip in and out of traffic, drive on the sidewalk, and park on the sidewalk, too!
We walked for a while, then came around a corner in front of the Hôtel de Ville, which is just an amazing sight. I gasped aloud when I turned the corner and saw it. That might be the first moment where I realized I was in love with Paris.
After that, we went to Notre Dame. As it was Sunday, Mass was being held. You are still allowed in the building, but have to walk around the perimeters - we were a little surprised we were allowed in; I would think it would be quite distracting to have a constant stream of people wandering by.
But the church is truly amazing. Definitely "gothic". Construction originally started in the 1100s (finished in the 1300s, I think); it has beautiful stained glass windows and a high vaulted ceilings, and statuary all around. And the pipe organ was massive - because we were there during Mass, we did get to hear it playing. There was a long lineup for the towers, so after we left, we decided to walk along the Seine.
As it was Sunday, there were vendors set up all along the riverside, selling souvenirs, paintings, books. We walked for a long way along the Seine, then crossed back over to the other side to see the Louvre, and then into the Jardin de Tuileries. By the time, Jackie desperately wanted a hot dog, and was quite piqued that there only appeared to be ice cream vendors in the Tuileries. We stopped and had some ice cream, then crossed the street where she suddenly discovered a hot dog vendor. It was 4.5€, so not a cheap hot dog, but it was what she wanted, so it's what she got.
We continued on to the Champs-Élysées and walked up to the Arc de Triomphe. We bought a ticket and climbed up the spiral staircase inside to the top. There was a nice cool breeze up there, and of course, a wonderful view of the city in all directions.
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And how are the French like Disneyland? Every attraction ends with a gift shop. Like the Arc de Triomphe? Buy something! Like Notre-Dame? Buy something! Enjoy your hotdog? Buy something! (Okay, not quite.)
I am very glad I bought a 512MB card for my camera, because I've already taken many many pictures.
After that, we started back towards our hotel, stopping to wander past the Hotel des Invalides and take pictures of ourselves goofing off in front of the cannons.
 |
 |
 |
By the end of the day, I had a sunburn (doh!). It never even occurred to me to bring sunscreen. Fortunately, Jackie has some sunscreen.
We finally returned to our hotel, where we had a room waiting for us on the fourth floor. Although there is a funky little elevator, Jackie finds it quite frightening. It's kind of like a fancy box on a string. I admit, the stairs are probably safer.
Our hotel room is pretty plain, but it has the virtue of being cheap. But we do have those great tall windows in our hotel room, with a flower box outside the window. I love to open them up and lean out (and maybe throw things at people on the street). No screens on the windows - if there are insects in France, I haven't seen them yet.
And hey, who hasn't always wanted a floor length window in their bathroom right next to the toilet?
On a slight aside, Jackie was convinced that people couldn't see through lace curtains at night, and did a little Moulin Rouge dance in front of the window. I am not convinced her show was as anonymous as she thinks.
(And yes, I had to write this entry up late because there is only one computer with Internet access at the hotel, and it's got a five minute time limit.)
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