I arrived SeaTac May 22,2006 at 6 :30 am for USAirway flight to Philly. The flight was very bumpy and the last 1/2 hour was very scary! The plane kept losing altitude as it was trying to land. The pilot kept going down and then going back up and then down and then back up evry few minutes. What was so scary is the flight attendent came and knelt down and was discussing the plane problem with a jump seat senior pilot sitting in front of me!
The young girl seated next to me was so worried and afraid that she got sick.
Finally landed after all the problems! What a great relief! All the time I kept thinking about %26quot;Mascara%26quot; calling it %26quot;US scareways%26quot;! I was thinking my Paris adventure was going to end in Philly!
I had about two hours to get to the International 4:00pm til 6:00 pm. I used the express walkway which was quite nice as the walk was very long.
I had brought yogurt and a banana. I bought one of the deliciously warm Philly Chedder Cheese Pretzel with mustard. I ate my dinner and the sign for my flight kept changing gates so I would walk to one gate and wait and then look up and see another change and walk back to another gate! I was getting my exercise for the day after all the sitting in the plane.
Finally boarded the plane at 6:00 pm. Sleep came easily after my box dinner of chicken,mashed potato, carrots, small salad, cheese and crackers and a French Vanilla Creame desert. (Not as good as the meals we used to get but at least it would hold me over for the night!)
I arrived at CDG Terminal 1 at 7:30 a.m. easily went thru customs and got luggage onto the %26quot;free%26quot; luggage carriers! Took the elevator down to the Bluvanfr.shuttle pickup point. I was 40 minutes early for my reservation so I called but no one picked up the phone. I went out and a driver came and put my luggage into the van and gave me the cell phone. A lady apologized for it being 10 minutes late! She told me the van had a break down. We drove to Terminal 2 to pick up another couple but they were no shows- the driver looked for them and as he did so the French couple told me that the van had not broken down that a new driver had stolen a van and the company was busy making a police report! We went back to Terminal 1 and picked up 4 more people.
The drive to Paris was very dis-concerting! The weather was gray and it had been raining. There were homeless people under make shift tents on the grass strips on the freeway. There was a lot of road construction being done. We drove thru the flea market area, then a round about way and I could see the Arc de Triomphe! We dropped 4 people off near there and then the French couple were dropped off at their apartment. I was the last to be dropped off at my hotel in Place d%26#39;Italie.
There was construction around the round point. The bus terminal had relocated and the area was being planted with flowers and benches and walkways. It was on the far side not on the side where my hotel was. Out near the end of Ave de Choicy a new tramway was being built also. This was the first time I had not been dropped off first. I was glad to have gotten a site-seeing trip of Paris!
Got to my nice clean hotel room on the ground floor and unpacked and put suitcases away. The staff was very nice friendly and helpful. I took a quick shower, dressed and ate a slimfast bar and drank some water. With my London Fog raincoat and my water proof Isitoner head and neck scarf, I headed out to buy my metro pass for 15.80 E. ( 5 days worth and I used it 22 times in those 5 days!).
Then I took metro to RER B to Notre Dame Cathedral to thank God for a safe arrival and for bringing me back to worship in one of the most beautiful peaceful places on earth! I met a lovely woman who testifies her faith by explaining the wooden carvings to visitors. She was so nice and friendly. She told me all about the two different carvings and then she also got me a sheet giving the times for the veneration of the crown of thorns. She also told me of the relics of Pradre Pia (sp) up near my hotel in the church next to the hospital! I was so happy to hear and then I jotted it down to go see it!
I walked thru the Notre Dame Cathedral. It has changed since I was here a couple of years ago. The votive candle holders are new and some displays that used to be in the crypt are now on display here. The Rose Windows are still mouth droppingly beautiful. The organ started to play and the bells started to ring such music to my ears!
I left for the Cambio to exchange a $100 travelers check. I got 77.50 Euros which was better than Philly which would have given me 70.10Euros! I had not come across a PNB ATM as yet so this was only one of two TC I would even cash on my three month trip!
Went to one of the now free restrooms in Paris. Then walked to Shakespeare and Company and looked thru the guide books. (For used books they were really priced high!) I had often picked up some great books here but the picture guide book I would have bought was pretty highly priced at 46 Euros! I walked on to rue Huchette for an early dinner at my old favorite Gyro place! %26quot;Extra Pita%26quot;, fries, salad and meat for 4 Euros! Then I walked down the block and a half to one of my favorite Boulanger Artisen for my favorite baggette avec lardon and cheese! I took it back to my room for later, of course, the end was missing as I could not wait to taste it again!
I took bus 27 back to my hotel site-seeing all the way but toward the end I almost fell asleep on the bus! I had to jump up to get off! It was now 6:00 p.m. Took another shower and washed hair and by 7:30p.m. I hopped into bed such comfortable beds here! I awoke at 11:45 p.m. and minutes later hubby called me ( He used 10-10-987 from USA a really cheap way to call me. (It was$ 2.70 cents for an hour!). Missed hubby already and of course my little Tobi Bo was listening to my voice! After he hung up I boiled water and had two nice cups of tea and some of my baggette. Went back to sleep! Got up early for my first day! Made hot instant oatmeal and and a cup of tea for breakfast.
May 25 was %26quot;Holy Day%26quot; Ascension Thursday Feast Day. Buses were running on the holiday schedule. I took 2 buses to Galleries Lafayette and Primtemps! Quickly I looked in the stores and went to the grocery store and bought some items ( cheese, honey bread and mayo in the tube with dijon mustard, and ham) and my favorite drinkable yogurt!
A short walk took me to Madelines Cathedral. On the left hand side was an exhibit room that had a special Artist showing of beautiful wood carvings and metal leaves. I had a nice conversation with the artist and the woman who also was sitting with him. I learned about his %26quot;passion%26quot; ! Then I went into St Madelines. It is so beautiful! Chopin%26#39;s funeral was here and the first time his funeral music was played it was at his death ceremony here and played by the Paris Conservatory Choir! The main altar statue of three angels and Mary Magdeline took the artist 22 years to make! It is so amazing! I took lots of beautiful pictures! And I bought a lovelt English Holy card of the last pope-- my PAPA! ( Who will soon be made a Saint!)
After praying I went outside and looked at all the beautiful plants growing in long pots on the steps! I sat down and ate my honey bread and meat and cheese and drank my drinkable yogurt and watched the sites down the main street. I made a point to see when the Coffee and Lunch would be open! It is located inside the gates on the right hand side. Monday it would be open as Friday was also a part of the long holy day!
I also had to go take a look at the famous bathrooms. So lovely with colored tiles, stain glass windows and leather shoeshine chairs!
Then I crossed the street and hopped on a bus to the Opera House! I got some neat photos of the colorful painted cow art exhibit right out in front! Walked into the Opera House still no way for a handicap person to get up the stairs for the tour! So I just looked at statutes and the gift shop and took some pictures. Maybe someday there will come a time for me to see the place! Hopped on the 27 bus and went to st Micheal fountains walked to see if the Alsace dining establishment was still there but it has been replaced by %26quot;Clemetines%26quot; ( not interested in their menu)! Walked rue Huchette to St. Sevins. The church bells were ringing so joyously. That church is in such dis-repair it is so sad but also strangely beautiful to see the old paintings peaking thru the walls in the light! I bought two postcards of the church and hurried thru the rose-scented jardin parc next door taking a few beautiful photos and then crossing the bridge and took more pictures of the touring boats on the Seine River. Arrived just in time for 6:00 p.m. mass at Notre Dame! So lovely a ceremony! the incense smells, the ringing of the bells, the organ music and the choir singing! It was so much more intense than I can describe! After mass I sat outside and admired the building and listened again to the beautiful ringing bells of Notre Dame! Tired full day so took the 27 bus back to my hotel. Had a lite dinner of smoked clams, crackers, hot apple cider and dried fruits. It was now maybe 8:00 pm turned on the TV and watched %26quot;Desperate Housewives%26quot; and this show called %26quot;Noveau Star%26quot; (sp?) I just loved the black woman who sang! She was so good! I looked forward to seeing it next time to see who is voted off! Drifted off to slumberland so grateful for a wonderful day in Paris!
To Be Continued ..... *** That is if anyone is interested.??....
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Oh yes, I%26#39;m very interested indeed, Discover. I%26#39;m looking forward to your continuation. Thank you for sharing so far.
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Hi Discover, I loved your report. I felt as if I was travelling with you. Yes, you must definitely continue!! I have printed out this episode for reference in Paris. Some comments and questions (hope there are not too many:
- I was surprised to read that homeless people in Paris (or surrounds) are living in makeshift tents on the median strips on the freeway!
- Which hotel did you stay in at Place d%26#39;Italie? It sounds fantastic. Was it the Hotel des Arts that I have heard good reports about?
- Was your metro pass a Carte Orange. If so, it does not sound as if you had problems getting one although there was a suggestion on a thread a couple of months ago that sometimes tourists are told they cannot buy the Carte Orange. I assume you had your passport size photo and got the ID card?
%26lt;%26lt;After he hung up I boiled water and had two nice cups of tea and some of my baggette. Went back to sleep! Got up early for my first day! Made hot instant oatmeal and and a cup of tea for breakfast%26gt;%26gt;
- If I didn%26#39;t know you were from Newcastle near Seattle, I would have assumed you were from Newcastle in the UK with your cups of tea and oatmeal for breakfast. You are a really organised traveller.
- Madelines Cathedral is on my definites list. I had not heard of it before. Is the Coffee and Lunch a cafe run by the Cathedral? Oh and I will definitely check out the toilets too - they sound as if they alone are worth the visit! ;-).
I love the idea of finishing off a day filled with sightseeing and beautiful churches watching Desperate Housewives!
I eagerly await your next chapter.
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Hi Faux: I have stayed at this hotel three times before for usually 4-6 weeks at a time. It is called Hotel Neptune ( Italie) on 15 rue Godefray 75013. It has a new owner who has changed out all the windows for glazed ones .
It really has no character if that is the kind of hotel you are looking for. It has larger rooms than I have gotten in the 5 or the 6 Er. The room have nice beds as I have a bad back that is the one thing I love! I had a double bed, shower, toilet, telephone, and a TV. They let me put my small cheese and and meat in their fridge. It is close to bus and the main metro and the huge shopping mall and the Chanpion grocery store! I love it there it is not so touristy but very safe area with many locals around. Across the street is a school play yard. There are many places to eat around there.
I must tell you how they kept my valuables in their safe! So cool! I had a ton of valuables so I put everything in an envelope and then into a zip lock bag keeping out enough money for a week and my debit card and a copy of my passport. The manager put it into a large enevlope and taped it all around with brown mailing tape then he had me write my name over the brown tape and date it and he signed his name also! Then he locked it up in the office safe! The next time I went to get it out: One could tell it had never been touched. The same was done each time I got into the valuables!
The new owners are Chinese and the man speaks enough English but the afternoon girl speaks good English and the night guy who became a nice friend to me (I %26#39;ll write about him later!) speaks excellent English. The weekend guy spoke a little English but enough to con you into thinking he understood what you had just said!
Take a look at it next time you are there.
I also found two other places that are the same area. I have to go look for the names of those two places. I%26#39;ll write about them later when I find the papers.
I did get a one week Carte Orange Metro pass for 15.80. I still have my old picture and gray folder to show them to buy the pass. I bought it at the entrance to the metro at Place d%26#39;Italie. If any one tells you they won%26#39;t sell you one go to another clerk. I have never had any problems. The one time I did was buying one for my hubby as he had not arrived as yet so I just showed his picture and gray folder. The person thought hard before she sold me the week pass for him. But she did sell it to me in the end!
Newcastle, Washington is the sister city to Newcastle UK isn%26#39;t that cool!
You have to eat at the Madelines lunch and coffee place. I think it was open at 11:00am til 2:00 pm M-Friday except holidays and thewn it closes in July and August. Yes, it is run by the church for local workers and other to eat lunch! I ate there three times! Once with my hubby! He loved it!
I think I paid 7 Euros for the three course meal. The first course was a choice of three different salads. You just go in and pay for the meal and choise what drinks you want . White wine and red wine sold in small bottles ran about 1.5 to 2 Euros . (Hubby bought a couple of extra ones to take back to the hotel to drink!) You sit at the salad you want. Then they bring you rolls and butter and tap water. They will ask you what main course you might want . Once it was white fish and beef and you chose the vegetables. Then you get to chose the desert. I had cheese and it was so good I ordered it all three times.
Hubby thought it was a great lunch! I was glad I had tried it. I met a very nice woman who worked there and I am corresponding with her. The locals I sat with were all very nice! Also the women who worked there introduced me to two men that were from the USA who were working in Paris. They were very nice also!
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I love the specifics of your report (smoked clams and crackers for supper)- it%26#39;s like reading a good novel!
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Discover,
Thanks for such a detailed trip report. I look forward to hearing more.
Makes me feel as if I am there with you. Such a nice beginning to your trip.
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Discover,
I am so enjoying your trip report! It is like going to Paris vicariously...best I can do just now! So keep the reports coming and I love your style of writing! I can just imagine it all! I look forward to the continuation of this wonderful report!
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Hi Discover,
I%26#39;m interested! It%26#39;s so much fun to see how those of us who love Paris all have our own rituals and ways to make the city our own while we%26#39;re there. Great details. Can%26#39;t wait to read more.
Aude
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I have to ditto Aude, (ATL homey) because I too like to see how others make the city their own. I really love it when they go the very same places I do, but their perspective is different or they see it in a whole different light. That is what makes life and travel interesting.
Discover, when you said you showed %26quot; a grey folder%26quot; in order to get your carte orange, what do you mean ? I know I need a picture, but I thought that was it.
Thanks Discover, for your time in writing your report !
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Waytogogirl - I can help you on the grey folder-thing. It is a small plastic folder that you get when you buy the Carte Orange. In the one half the lady in the booth puts your maincard with your photo and signature - and in the other half you put your ticket.
So it is not something you have to provide yourself.
I also kept mine from years back (ouch, what a goofy photo !!) - and they still accept it. It makes it a little more convincing if you are unfortunate enough to encounter an ratp-employee who thinks that the Carte Orange are only for Paris residents.
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