Travel Tales: Paris 2003, Part Seven

Saturday in Paris took us on a morning trip to Versailles, which was both interesting and really beautiful. Unforunately it was one of those situations where I remember the place but not the details our tour guide gave us. Well… actually I do remember the one about why the beds were all so short. Apparently, back in the Marie Antionette times, they were superstitious about people lying down to sleep and so they made the beds sort of like recliners. People would sit in a sitting position with their legs in front of them. This is, incidentally, an inaccurate detail in the Marie Antoinette movie!

Anyway, the inside of the palace was really impressive, but I really liked the grounds. They were much bigger than we were able to walk as it was REALLY hot that day, but we did get a special treat in that they turned the fountains on. If I remember correctly, the original plumbing is still used (at least in the fountain structures) and so they do not put them on except for fifteen minutes on Saturday mornings! We were lucky enough to be there to see it, which was very worth it.

Walking outside, I mostly took more pictures of the statues and things, which I really liked.

Some sights from Versailles:

I couldn’t help but feeling while we were on the grounds that we should be dressed in old Regency outfits or something!

Once back in Paris, we didn’t have a lot of time left in the day so we started to get ready for dinner. I really wanted to see the Eiffel Tower in the dark, all lit up, so we decided to go have dinner and wait for it to get dark (which took QUITE a while!). We also had not been all the way to the top of the tower yet, so that was part of our plan as well – taking the elevator this time.

When we got up there, the first thing I noticed was how everything on the ground kind of looked like garbage scattered around – but you can’t beat the view!

We did get to see the tower when it was semi-dark, but we were both a little wary of going back to the hotel so late. Even so, it was nice to see.

Sunday was our last day in Paris, and we really didn’t have time for much before heading to the airport. We went to the Tuileries and just watched people for a little while, finishing off a roll of film and enjoying our last few hours.

I really think the above picture was literally the last one I took!

We headed to the airport and headed home. The flight was uneventful, unless you consider watching Spy Kids 2 an event!

Travel Tales: Paris 2003, Part Six

Thought I’d polish off the Paris Travel Tale so that I could put the photo album away. When we last left off, Lindsay and I had visited with Evelyn and Gunter, who came in from Germany.

The next day we were up early again so that we could go on a walking tour with Patrick, our tour guide, through the Marais District. He brought his little dog, Daisy, with him. Paris was still crowded from the day before, but near the Marais it seemed a little less so. We walked through the entire area, and Patrick told us many stories of the place – which I wish I could remember. My favorite part of the walk was taking pictures of all the intricate building designs and statues that grace the area, this one being one of my favorites (his stance entertains me):

As usual, Lindsay and I took many pictures of the architecture and buildings around us, just to remember it all and take it all in over and over again in the photo albums. Unfortunately, I don’t have TOO many pictures from this day, as I think we used the black and white roll, which never got scanned into the computer (a project for another day – there’s an amazing picture of two little girls by a fountain that Lindsay took, but that’s a story – and a PROJECT! – for another day…)!

So that this story of our tour isn’t so brief, here are some of my favorite shots from our walk:

We ended our tour relatively close to Notre Dame, which Lindsay and I hadn’t visited yet. Strangely enough, in my search through the photos, I didn’t find ANY from Notre Dame – they must be in the black and white roll too! In any case, we did not go up because the crowds were insane, but enjoyed looking at it before finding a small park right next to it and watching the little French children play games before continuing on our walk.

We had yet to visit the museums, so we decided it was a good time to. The only logical place to start was the Louvre…. Bad Idea! The Louvre REALLY deserves an entire day, but we were giving it about two hours and then heading to the Musee D’Orsay (which I actually prefer because I like Impressionist paintings). However, we had time to check out the Egyptian wing for Lindsay and, of course, see the Mona Lisa, just to say that we did!

Though the sign said no pictures, I did manage to get a shot of it (seriously, I don’t think they enforce this rule very well as EVERYONE was taking pictures of it). It was interesting to see but, admittedly, it’s much smaller than you might imagine.

After our brief time in the Louvre, we headed to the Orsay, which was finally open (they had been on strike for the first couple of days). We spent more time there, looking at all the pictures, Lindsay taking close up shots of details she really liked in the photos.

I don’t think I need to say that a walk through the Marais district, a trip to Notre Dame and visits to not one, but TWO, famous Paris museums, made for an EXTREMELY exhausting day, and we trekked back to the hotel and, after more bread and cheese (and Nutella) fell asleep early (as the next day would be another early wake up – for a trip to Versailles!).

Travel Tales: Paris 2003, Part Five

Might as well continue, as I am on a kick and dragged out the photo album to remind myself of the trip and everything!

Thursday morning we slept in, having been up early the last two days. We discovered is was Ascension Thursday, which meant that all of a sudden Paris was crowded with tourists, which it had not been for the first couple of days. Apparantly it was a big four day weekend in Europe so people were travelling. In any case, we waited at the hotel for a phone call from Evelyn and Gunther, who were coming to see us from Germany (they live about four hours from Paris). When they arrived, we headed out with them on a little walking tour, heading over to the Marais district and the Pompideau Center (I don’t think I spelled that right!). We had some drinks at a little cafe and then kept walking.

At some point, we ended up at the Eiffel Tower. One of the highlights of this was using Gunter’s cell phone to call mom at work and say, “Guess where we’re standing right now! Right next to the Eiffel Tower!”

We did not go up, as the aforementioned crowds were gathered in masses, and instead sought out some lunch. We ended up at a tiny little shop on a side street that happened to serve food to VERY small tables in the front (seriously, we were the only people who fit). I remember bread, oil and mozzarella cheese as the shop seemed to have more of an Italian flair than a French one.

We also headed over to a street that boasted an ornate door decorated in the French nouveau style (which I really liked at the time). It was huge, with really interesting designs all over it. After staying there for a few minutes to check it out, we just walked around a little bit more, exploring the nooks and crannies of the street. We didn’t make any major discoveries, but as our twenty-four rolls of film (yes, you read that right!) attest, Lindsay and I just really liked to take pictures of the streets of Paris – something I still like to do in any foreign country I am in (buildings and street scenes are just so interesting to me!).

That evening was likely filled with even more souvenir shopping and I’m guessing from the lack of pictures of restaurants that we bought bread and cheese again to have for dinner (and perhaps I watched French Idol again… it seemed to be on every night, along with episodes in French of The Simpsons, Newsradio, Dawson’s Creek and Friends – highly entertaining, especially Friends, which I knew all the words to so could understand and enjoy the French I couldn’t follow!).

Travel Tales: Paris 2003, Part Four

Wednesday in Paris began with an early breakfast at the hotel, and then we met our tour companions for a trip to Giverney, where Monet lived and worked. We spent all morning in the gardens, where I noticed that all older French women seem to use the same perfume! I don’t remember smelling any flowers, just perfume. Anyway, Monet’s gardens were beautiful, with all sorts of flowers and plants to look at and take pictures of. Some samples:

Across from the flower garden was Monet’s water garden, which inspired many of the famous paintings you see today.

The gardens were also really pretty, but by then Lindsay and I decided to check out what Giverny looked like. To be honest – not much! The town was very small, with only a small road leading away from it and into it. It did have a little cafe and shop but we decided to wait until we got back to Paris to eat.

That evening we were planning on going on a Bateaux-Mouches cruise on the Seine, but we had a few hours to kill. We decided to take care of our souvenirs, and so we headed to the little alleyway below the hotel to shop the little shops. I found a book full of art nouveau prints, and we managed to get a lot of cool prints and posters for everyone else, including the awesome Maizena poster that looked like Jack (which we of course bought for Willa)!

Done with shopping, we relaxed for a while – our tour of Paris was definitely exhausting! Once it was time to head for the cruise, we met the tour group again and went to dinner, which took place at a restaurant that liked to use silverware in it’s decor. Forks and spoons were on the walls and on the lamps, creating art. It was really cool. Everyone else had salmon, but I had to be difficult of course and have chicken! The dessert was chocolate mousse though, which I doubt I went a day without while in Paris (and you’d think I’d gain weight, but I didn’t!).

Once on the boat, we saw all the famous sights of Paris from the river, some that we were already quite familiar with and some that we were not. We saw Notre Dame for the first time up close, and planned to go there on Friday, our final day in Paris! We were also able to get some pictures of a lot of buildings we would not otherwise have been able to photograph in their entirely. We also took pictures of houses we simply liked! One of the best parts was the tango lessons being given along the river.

That night we headed back to the hotel, and I believe this was the night I slammed my finger into a gate and bruised my nail. I have NO IDEA how I managed to hit my hand that hard, but it happened! Oh well – it did not put a damper on the trip at all, and we headed to bed (I wonder if this was the night I watched French Idol…) to get ready for our visit from Evelyn and Gunther the next day!

Travel Tales: Paris 2003, Part Three

Day three in Paris, at which point I started writing a new novel in my journal and not describing the trip as much, began with breakfast (this time I KNOW we had breakfast!). I remember being really impressed with the breakfast the hotel put together. It was a full breakfast and it had anything you could imagine – and it came with the room! So we filled up there and met with the rest of the group and took the train over to Montmartre, which quickly became one of my favorite parts of Paris (partially because my favorite movie is Amelie, I’m sure…)

Our first stop was the Moulin Rouge, though we didn’t go inside. Only the windmill is left from the original structure so it looks nothing like it does in the movie. It was a fun sight to see. According to the marquee, they were dooing a show called Feerie. Underneath the sign were the words “Le Plus Celebre French Can Can Du Monde” (I just like French words).

From there our tour guide Patrick (who was nice enough to take us on the tour for FREE, despite the fact that there was an optional tour we could pay for!), showed us the cafe from Amelie as we walked up the hilly streets of Montmartre. As we walked, he filled us in on various stories about Paris – how the streets are cleaned everyday, how old buildings were, and he pointed out various landmarks. We came across a statue of St. Denis and heard his story as well as the story of the man who got stuck in a wall (also a piece of art in Montmartre). We finally ended up by the Sacre Coeur, the highest point in Paris, where you can look down over the whole city. In the square just behind it were a multitude of artists, all painting something; some portraits, some landscapes. Everything was really pretty.

The sacre-coeur was an impressive building and I loved the view from up there. Lindsya and I stayed in Montmartre for lunch (where we had roasted chicken and french fries, I believe – I love the simplest food in Paris!), and heard and accordian playing (a man was walking down the street with it). Then we decided to walk down the “Amelie” steps (as I call them, cause they’re from the part where Nino follows the arrows) and ended up down by the carousel.

From there we headed back towards the Eiffel Tower area and just explored our surroundings a little more – my favorite thing to do in foreign cities is to just walk as much as possible and look at things. We ended up over by the Louvre again, taking some pictures, but we didn’t go in yet, saving it for when we had more time. Our walk continued towards the Marais district, where we found the “Big Head Statue” at St. Eustache. We took some goofy pictures there, and then just sat for a few minutes – where we encountered the world’s most annoying crow! It was just behind us, hopping around in the grass and making horrible screeching sounds!

When he became too much for us, we decided to walk back to the hotel. Neither of us wanting to spend a lot of money on dinner, we decided to buy some bread and cheese on the way back to the hotel (and, in the end we also got some Nutella!). As it turned out, there were really good baguettes just around the corner from the hotel, so this became our meal on more than one night (cause there is nothing better than bread, cheese, and chocolate really, when it all comes down it!). We spent the rest of the evening back at the hotel, enjoying our baguettes (yes, we each ate a whole one!).

Some notes from my journal (because there are SOME):
I can hardly believe how fast the time is going by. Tomorrow is WEDNESDAY already. I think, however, that it may turn out to be one of my favorite days. However, today and went to Montmartre… When I get my summer apartment here, I think it may have to be in Montmartre! It’s so quaint and artsy and I saw all these places that were used in the movie “Amelie.” I can’t wait to get all my pictures developed!

We are waiting for a phone call from Evelyn. She and Gunther are coming on Thursday and that should be a lot of fun. Lina nd I want to return to the Eiffel Tower and head to the very top – by using the elevator!

I am exhausted, but it’s that great kind of exhaustion and I’m proud of it!

Travel Tales: Paris 2003, Part Two

Remember: text in italics is from my journal. Day two in Paris was May 26, 2003.

Well here I am after my second exhausting day in ol’ Gay Paree. I was much more comfortable today. I had a better grasp on things and best of all – I saw the Eiffel Tower today! Up close and personal – I stood on it, under it, beside it, in it or whatever else you might be able to think of. We also got a little lost, to tell the truth, but I was not afraid. Somehow you can never be lost in Paris. There is always a way to get from once place to another place. It’s really nice actually.

Day two began late, as Lindsay and I were both pretty jet-lagged and slept in. We went to breakfast in the hotel (or did we – we might have missed it, though I might have grabbed a pain au chocolat to bring back to the room!). Once we got dressed (and fought with the weird tub/shower thing), we headed out for the Champs Elysees, knowing that we would be able to walk to the Eiffel Tower from there, and we could also see the Arc du Triomphe. A quick glance at the map showed us the way and we were off.

I suppose we DIDN’T make it to breakfast that day because we were both pretty hungry and stopped at this little Panini place near the Place du la Concorde. They were having a train exhibit in Paris that week, so the beginning of the Champs Elysees had a bunch of old train cars along it. After we sat and ate our sandwiches, we continued walking, enjoying the little flower displays and the signs we could read, which are so different from the ones we have here.

We didn’t go into any stores, but instead walked directly to the Arc. Once we were there, we wondered how on earth you get to it without dying, as the traffic circle around it was very congested with speedy cars. Finally one of us noticed the underpass to get there, and we sat beneath it for a little while and used up a roll of black and white film.

Lindsay at the Arc du Triomphe

When we felt rested enough to continue our walk, we mapped out where we needed to go – and the promptly took the wrong street. We walked for a while, wondering why the Eiffel Tower was not getting any closer. WE continued, both thinking we should be able to see it in the distance. We finally realized we had walked down the wrong street, going in the wrong direction. A quick look at the map and Lindsay has us oriented again, and we walked down the CORRECT street, where the Eiffel Tower just got bigger and bigger as we made our way towards it.

Me at the Eiffel Tower when we got our first good view.

We headed to the tower and paid to head up to the top – by WALKING! That was not fun at all, so we ended up staying on the first level and looking down. Even from there, everything looks miniscule!

After some fun at the top of the tower (including our heads in the gates), we headed down and walked to the other side for some pictures and headed towards the Metro station, passing L’Ecole Militaire and more French sites. I particularly liked the way they put up ads and things.

Oncw we finished at the tower, we were really tired so we went back to the hotel (or we may have walked over by the Louvre; it was so long ago I can’t remember – and we DID do a lot of just walking around).

That night we wanted to have an authentic French meal at a REAL restaurant. After consulting the guidebook, we found a good one just a few blocks from the hotel and walked over. Dinner was good but then we were so tired we headed back to the hotel for bed. We had to be up early the next day for Montmarte!

Travel Tales: Paris 2003, Part One

Last night in my journal searching, I found all the entries I wrote when Lindsay and I went to Paris in May of 2003 for my college graduation. It really helped me remember everything that went on, so I’ll try to blend the journal entries with what my memory tells me. I’ll put the journal entries in italics to distinguish.

Can you believe that I am actually in Paris? We arrived this morning and right now are awaiting a meeting with the entire group. Hopefully we’ll get some helpful information and be able to find things. We are also going to discuss the optional excursions, which should be fun [I still like that word, apparently!].

We did in fact arrive that morning via an overnight American Airlines flight. Once we got off the plane and got our luggage, we headed outside, where we found a cab driver holding up a sign with our names and with a couple’s name. They were from Queens and on our same flight (Lindsay used to do a fabulous impression of the woman… “Hey Patrick…” – more about that later!). The driver took us to the Hotel Ronceray near the opera house on what was called the “American” block in Paris because it housed the Hard Rock Cafe and – oddly enough – a TGIFriday’s (I believe). I remember being disappointed that you couldn’t see the Eiffel Tower from every point in Paris, and we did not see it at all on the way to the hotel. However, it was exciting to look at the streets and all the things in French as we drove along.

Once inside the hotel, we met our tour guide Patrick and were shown to our room where we did wait until the meeting. The other four people from our group were already there, and had been since the morning. When we had our meeting, we discussed which optional excursions we would go on – including Giverny, a Seine River Cruise and a trip to Versailles. Then it was off to start exploring Paris.

First, Patrick took us on a little tour. Getting onto the Metro (conveniently on the corner of our block!), we went to the Opera House.

From there we headed over to the Louvre, following the same path I would later readin in The Da Vinci Code and say “I know where that is!” We didn’t go into the Louvre, just looked at it and the little shops that lined the street along the Tuileries. The group split up there, once we were shown where the Metro station was (but Lindsay and I, as New Yorkers, figured we could easily figure out a subway system – we were right).

I saw the Eiffel Tower IN PERSON for the first time in my entire life. The truth: it looks a lot smaller here. But then again we were not right up next to it. We’re headed to the top of it tomorrow for what should be an exciting, exciting day! We’re also going to check out the Champs Elysees and buy some Toulouse Lautrec pringts. They are really cheap here and therefore MUST be purchased!

Yes, in fact our first view of the Eiffel Tower was not from right near it – but from the Louvre. We almost didn’t notice it but Lindsay saw the top of it standing high in the distance. It DID look small, but like I said, we were far away from it at that point.

Our Hotel Room, good and messy!

We headed back to the hotel after looking around a bit. The jet lag was starting to settle in and we were both feeling so out of it, we ate at the TGIFriday’s for dinner (something I have never wanted to admit to anyone in my life about my first dinner in Paris, but we were just TOO tired to hunt down a restaurant!). We headed to bed, ready to start the next day!