An American in Paris

Wow, what a great couple of days it has been. First off, when travelling by, Eurostar from London to Paris, pay the extra to upgrade to "Liesure" class. Seriously. They bring you wine, they bring you food, they bring you coffee and you arrive in Paris sated and happy. It was glorious.

Secondly, when travelling from the US to Paris, try to get there without 45 intermediate steps. Like I did. Wow. I felt like I had circumnavigated the world when I finally got here. I arrived in Paris tired after two days of little sleep (but well fed) and then dragged my bag, computer, purse and self halfway across the northern section of the city to this charming little hotel. I was dirty, I felt gross, and yet still I was hit on. Granted, it wasn't the most flattering line ("no, it's okay, I am not faithful..." doesn't exactly engender trust, now does it?), but what it lacked in well, everything, it made up for in bad timing and bad directions.

After a good night's sleep I was up and at em the next morning, trekking (walking) from Gare St. Lazare to Place de Concord, La Petite Palace (amazing architecture), Musee d'Orsee; and eventually La Halles. Gathered my courage and went to what was a very popular local lunch place (yikes! no English spoken!) and managed to walk away with a lovely salad, a bottle of water and fabulous bread to be consummed in a park while watching a group of men play boules. By late afternoon I was again dog tired and dragged myself to the Metro and then back to the hotel.

This morning was another surprise. St. Chappelle and the Concierge (both interesting and beautiful sites, added to by the fact that there are some very handsome Gendarmes in this city and that just happens to be their headquarters...) started the morning, and then a quick walk over to Notre Dame. My last trip to Paris, we arrived too late to see the inside of the Cathedral. My plan was to get there early, avoid some of the crowds. What I didn't plan on was this was the annual ordination of new priests. Which explained the large screen outside and the massive crowds of people, police and tourists. I found a spot along the side, next to some very sweet teenage scouts who called me Madame and gave me a program, and watched it all unfold on the screen. Gorgeous music, much page\antry, and the usual Catholic aerobics (talk about dedicated, a group of nuns kneeled on the stone outside the Cathedral. It made my knees hurt to watch them).

So the Cathedral itself was closed until 4 pm, which allowed me to strike off and investigate new areas. I went through Ile St. Louis, the island directly east of Ile de Cite where the Notre Dame presides. Then on to Place de Vosges and a jaunt around the Marais. Fun, funky, colorful neighborhood with lots of little shops and galleries. It is also the center of Gay Paris, and this was their version of Pride Weekend - Solidays. So it was more colorful than usual! There was a wonderful air of fun and excitement that permeated the area.

All in all a good day! Now to rest my tired, aching feet and plan my attack for tomorrow. And maybe slip out for a bite here in a moment...