Vive La France!
The day starts early (4:45AM- anyone who knows me knows that this is a feat in and of itself). Heath kindly accompanies me on the bus as far as the tube stop for which I am grateful as there are some rather sketchy characters (for lack of a better word) on the bus at 5:30AM. We debate whether they are early risers or are left over from Saturday night's activities. I think the latter.
A quick bus ride and a short train ride and I arrive at Heathrow airport with plenty of time to spare.
*A side note: Being this early to the airport is a rare occurrence for me so I decide to kill time perusing the isles of Boots Drugstore. As I pass the foot care section I notice they sell gel cushions for sore feet. As I think about it, my feet are slightly sore from walking the last few days. I would hate it to get worse and distract my attention from the experience ahead of me . I decide to buy not just the gel cushions for the balls of my feet but also cushions for my heels and gel bandages for the sides of my feet. I am determined that nothing will hinder my complete enjoyment of Paris!
I finally board my plane and 1 hr later I arrive at Charles de Gualle airport. I step my foot on French soil for the first time! A train ticket is purchased and after a little confusion about where and how the train is actually boarded (thank goodness for the kind and patient French employee- I am suddenly very aware that I am THAT ignorant, American tourist...note to self: it might be nice to familiarize myself with a few of the more common French phrases before my next trip), the train is finally boarded. It's off to the city....an accordion player is in the same car and starts to play a tune- seriously, this is straight out of an old movie!
Upon completion of the train ride, I find myself in a mall? I pass several stores, some familiar, some not, and I see a light in the distance....
Yes, it is La Pyramide Inversee! I can't help but get excited!
I could study this fascinating structure forever but the first priority must be finding the hotel so begrudgingly, I leave.
As I step out into the daylight I feel like I'm walking right into the canvas of a van Gogh masterpiece.
Breath-taking!
First things first. To the hotel, Tonic Hotel- fortunately just a few blocks from Le Louvre.
My cute little room is charming...has a very European feel to it!
With the luggage dropped off it is time to take in the scenery:
The Seine
French Foreign Legion Headquarters?
Or not....
(for Jack: note that there are Double-Decker buses in Paris too!)
Ahh....Notre Dame....you are more magnificent than imagined!
I'm dying to look inside but the line is enormous....I'll have to settle for the outside today.
Can gargoyles be endearing?
The weather is perfect...low 70s and the sun feels amazing on my skin....and the scenery....the ambiance is nearly overwhelming....perhaps it is time for a little rest before moving on....
But things are happening in other parts of the city. A crowd is gathering here, complete with a band (well, a few tubas and trumpets anyway). What could possibly be happening?
It's a rollerblading race past Notre Dame, of course. You would think this would snap me out of my French fantasy but oddly enough it seems to fit.
The National Assembly.
Wish I had time to have that mystery explained to me.....
There are artistic treasures literally everywhere I look.
There is too much to see....must be time for a break to take it all in. These cars are everywhere selling glaces (ice cream). For some reason I can't get enough of the pistachio soft-serve.
And the journey continues toward Les Invalides, a lavishly, grandiose abode for the surprisingly simple tomb of the great Napolean Bonaparte I (think what you will about him, he was great!)
The courtyard.
The Emperor, himself.
Inside the dome.
The Altar.
The tomb, while large, is decidedly understated.
Guardians of the tomb.
So much more could be said about Napoleon but the whirlwind tour must continue......
Interesting grounds. I don't know why but I kind of like the triangular shrubs.
Headless sculpture....not all that surprised to see this here in France.
Getting close...it is impressive!
This is fascinating! Just down from the Eiffel Tower a group is gathered. As I approach I realize that Michael Jackson is blaring and they are having a sort of MJ dance off. Hahaha! Doesn't really fit in my Paris fantasy yet somehow it works.
Finally there. It is much bigger and imposing than I had imagined.
I am finally viewing one of the wonders of the world- and I completely understand why it is one of the wonders of the world.
Alas, the journey must resume. Here I pass a Louis Vutton flagship store, one of many massive designer stores. Paris does not get it's reputation in fashion for nothing.
Arc d' Triomphe at sunset. Breath-taking. (I know I'm using that word too much but nothing else quite describes what I'm feeling...)
The Paris Opera House. The Ballet "Romeo and Juliet" is showing. If there was any lingering doubt in my mind that I would be returning it is completly abolished at this moment. I snap a quick photo (terrible quality though it is) as a symbol of the many things I must return to explore......sigh.....
And with that the evening is quickly morphing into late night. Not sure how far or what direction the hotel is, so after a quick cab ride I'm left in my little room to try to absorb all the magic of the day.
And there's still tomorrow....
