Wednesday, June 27, 2007

First time I saw Paris


Train trip from Hamburg was pretty good … although I could sense Lex’s frustration at not being able to sit up and watch the passing scenery. The ‘couchette’ was a small cabin with 2 bunks (3 stack each side) and we had the bottom ones. Lucky … as I don’t think I would have been able to heave our packs up to the top ones. No seats … so we just had to lie down … after all it was night time. The 4 others in our cabin all got off at Brussells so we put the seat up . Just finished my book as the train the train pulled in … great timing.

Being seasoned backpackers, we set off on foot to find our hotel. Lex had a map!!!! Not all streets are marked on the map … and they run at all different angles … not just north-south and east-west … like home. We walked somewhat further than needed!!! No problem … we did that again later in the day …. only even more so … several times. Have to take the GPS with us next time!!! But, taking those ‘alternative routes’ is how we just come across great experiences.

Our hotel room looks out over an intersection …. 6 roads … a park in the middle. People were playing boules in the park late yesterday afternoon. There’s lots of greenery and beautiful buildings as well so it’s very picturesque. Being Sunday morning, the traffic was light and there were LOTS of cafes open. Different look … must get a photo as the small tables are neatly arranged in rows with 2 chairs each table also neatly arranged side by side … facing the street … and that’s how people appear to sit in them … facing the street.

We headed out for a short walk after breakfast locally … ended up at the Louvre and the Oblisque. Not really a short walk … but even longer getting home (home is where the bags are..) We must have covered at least 15km!!! But the sights were amazing!!!! Having read Da Vinci code, we knew the Louvre is BIG …. But it’s still stunning!!! We wandered into a market area around Montmartre … all kinds of fish …. just on tables in the open … poultry of all kinds .. including quail we think. Also wandered into some street theatre in another area … and came across some huge building … big crowds …. have to investigate what it is.

There is sooo much to see. Have decided on a 2 day ticket on the hop on - hop off bus … has 4 tours - 4 different areas. That’s the plan for today.

So far … beer is expensive … wine tastes good …. mussels a la crème is delicious. Life is great!!!! This is an impressive city!!

1 comment:

Sophie said...

Paris sounds fantastic - sooooo wish I was there with you for this too!!!!