Needless to say we got a rather late start on Tuesday and took the RER train into the centre of Paris where the first sight I wanted to see was my favourite of all Paris monuments - L'Arc de Triomphe. Construction started in 1806 to commemorate Napoleon's successful battles. It was some time before it was finished because of various wars in between. I know the Eiffel Tower is supposed to be everyone's favourite thing in Paris, but nothing can compare to the first time I ascended the metro escalator at the Charles de Gaulle/Etoile métro station and saw l'Arc for the very first time, 16 years ago almost to the day. My knees weren't quite as weak today when I saw it, but it was a thrill nonetheless.
So off we go into the frantic, overwhelming splendour that is Paris. The smell of smoke and coffee everywhere and the sounds of many different languages in the air. What to do? How to do it all? Well, my trusty "guide Michelin" to the rescue. Paris in 5 days! That sounds good, now these five days are very full with lots of walking. After a few hours of exploring, taking photos (digital, you know!), I spot my mecca - Starbucks!! - no mirage, but the real thing, right in the middle of the opera district.
It was very quickly obvious that our default response to the question of nationality was a clear: Canadian! I had forgotten that the French assume that if you are Canadian and speak French that you are from Québec. Non, madame, nous sommes de l'ouest du Canada!
A bientôt...
So off we go into the frantic, overwhelming splendour that is Paris. The smell of smoke and coffee everywhere and the sounds of many different languages in the air. What to do? How to do it all? Well, my trusty "guide Michelin" to the rescue. Paris in 5 days! That sounds good, now these five days are very full with lots of walking. After a few hours of exploring, taking photos (digital, you know!), I spot my mecca - Starbucks!! - no mirage, but the real thing, right in the middle of the opera district.
It was very quickly obvious that our default response to the question of nationality was a clear: Canadian! I had forgotten that the French assume that if you are Canadian and speak French that you are from Québec. Non, madame, nous sommes de l'ouest du Canada!
A bientôt...
It sounds like you are becoming with a friend after a long absence!
ReplyDeleteA high speed internet connection will do wonders for you uploading times. If the hotel has a computer connected directly to the internet it may work a bit better. But, remember that photos can always be added later.