We are only going to have one full day in Paris. We decided we would make the best of it and we headed out at 6:10am on the subway to catch our 6:37 train ride. We got to ride the Thalys rails (which are the Mercedes of the trains). After the tin can with no air we took to Antwerp, it was a welcome pleasure.
The train ride is only 1 hour and 20 minutes (super fast train), and we were standing at the Fontaine Saint-Michel
The subways in France are very fast, but basically no frills. They aren't as clean or new as the ones in Belgium, but they do get you there quickly. We got a quick breakfast at one the local cafes. Jared, Nancy and Rianna got what was equivalant to a large coffee cup half full with liquid chocolate fudge and then topped off with steamed milk. I had a double espresso and then finished of Nancy's chocolate.
Our next goal was, of course, the Eiffel Tower. The super speedy subway got us there in another 10 minutes or so and we were set to see the tower that everyone raves about. You got a glimpse from the subway, but it was in full range when we got around the corner. The sight is like seeing the Grand Canyon the first time. It almost seems out of place, sitting along a busy street, just a few hundred yards from the subway.
After spending an hour or two at the massive tower and taking the "lift" to the top, we thought we'd head over the Arc De Triumph. Another awesome structure, but it doesn't take a lot of time to take it in. It was built to honor the French who fought and died for France....
We had a beautiful lunch at a one of the famed bistros, down the road from the Arc. They face all the chairs towards the streets and sidewalks so you can galk at the people while you eat. We made our way to the subway to get a glimpse of the Catacombs and Notre Dame. The catacombs had about 200 people in line and we waited around 45 minutes, before we figured out there was no way we'd make it in the time we had. Oh well, we can still see the most famous Dame. Ok, it was beautiful, but they all seem to look alike from the inside. The first few cathedrals were amazing, but I think I've gotten my fill. Find me a castle!
Random Thoughts:
1) I thought Perfume was a French word?
2) The trains in Paris are nasty fast (or is that nasty and fast)
3) Wine tastes better in a Paris bistro.
4) I thought Notre Dame was in Indiana?
5) That's a big ass tower!
6) If people get sick here, it must spread fast (lots of close contact, dirty rails, escalators)
7) Not that many police in France (compared to London)
https://picasaweb.google.com/112902688959282032432/Day9Paris?authkey=Gv1sRgCNmNpovFs6moUQ&feat=directlink
No comments:
Post a Comment