At check in an Italian Canadian from Toronto was asking us about his bottle of eye lens cleaner that they told him he couldn't bring in carry-on while his luggage was already loading. He hadn't travelled in a long time as it is a liquid and way over the limit. I guess we sometimes take for granted that everyone knows about the restrictions on fluids with carry ons.
Check in at this European discount airline was uneventful, although the boarding pass had no gate assigned yet. The plane was almost full and mostly single men. Weird lineups and even in the jet way were were lining up although we eventually walked on the tarmac to our plane. No assigned seating so you grab whatever seats are available when boarding. Fortunately, nobody sat beside us. No free drinks or eats are offered. We landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle around 1 pm.
We decided to take the train into our hotel located on the left bank for about 18 Euro. The RER train is a very long walk from the luggage pickup in Terminal 2. Good signs to follow though and then into the RER to eventually connect at Denfort-Rocheleau and then onto #6 subway to a station close to the hotel. It is raining in Paris and not very warm. Quite a shock to us given the incredibly warm and sunny weather we have been experiencing. When we got out of the #6 subway train is was raining pretty heavily with puddles of water in the street as we dragged our luggage. We tried my GPS, but went in the wrong direction, but corrected and found our hotel. Luggage was soaked and we were soaked.
First in line at the Elite Counter check in dripping wet. Regrettably, the desk clerk took someone from the regular lineup thus ignoring us. Hmmm, strike one. Checked in to room 1230. Great views north and east although cloudy and rainy. Strike two - we discover no free wifi! Every place we have been on this trip and prior trips has free wifi. My iPhone Vodafone pay-as-you-go is down below 1 Euro left. The concierge tells us about a mall 15 minute walk along Rue St. Jacques. Off we go, with Lana using a hotel umbrella. First stop is at a boulangerie for a croissant for Lana and a pain de chocolate for me. Continued walking in the rain and found the mall. Into a Bouygues telecommunications/cellphone store for help. Akli helped us and spoke very good english. We purchased a SIM card (10 Euro) given there are no Vodafone dealers or cards in Paris. Oh well, my third SIM card for my cellphone. Then were advised to head to a tobacco store to purchase 20 Euro phone credit which he would update for us as the instructions were in French. He did this for us and answered all our questions.
With Lana's expertise we set up my iPhone as a hotspot for my Macbook and for Lana's cellphone. We were advised by the hotel desk clerk that we could stop at the bar for a "free drink". Strike three coming up as it took forever to have our two cocktails made and then found out only one of the two drinks were free. Whats up with that? This hotel is very nice and has a good reputation. We found out later that it is not unusual in Paris for hotels to charge for wifi.
Our friends are staying in Paris in the Le Marais district and have arranged to take the subway to our hotel for 6 pm. It was great to meet friendly faces and catch up on their adventures in Paris over the last week. The sun is trying to peak out as we head to the subway station a little at 7ish. Get on the #4 train to find a neighbourhood with more restaurant choices. We walk by Notre Dame, over the Seine River and then into the Marais neighbourhood. Lots of good walking and chatting in the streets and lanes of Paris. Wow, so much fun being back in Paris after a 10 year absence. Immediately, though you see the architecture, the streets, the people and know you are definitely in Paris as it is unique compared to the other European cities.
Handmade marshmallows in the window.
Notre Dame in the twilight.
Near the Bastille area with the fading sun reflecting off the apartments that overlook the Seine River.
We find a great restaurant only a few blocks from Debrah and her friend's place. La Chaise au Plafond at 10 rue du Tresor in the Marais neighbourhood. We find a table inside right beside the open window. No smoking inside the restaurants, but you can smoke at the outside tables. Fortunately, the fellow beside us complained about the smoke wafting inside and we closed the windows. The menu was in French of course, but our waiter explained the majority of the menu in English. Lots of wine choices as well. Everything was delicious! A typical French bistro in a very old Parisien neighbourhood with narrow streets.
My salad of tomatoes, fruit, lettuce, beets etc.
Lana's meal of steak au poivre (peppercorn sauce) and fried potatoes. A very classic French dish.
Randy's authentic French dish of a sausage antouillie? (snout, heart and kidney) with a fantastic mustard and fried potatoes/salad. The waiter was surprised at my order as he said English people usually don't like it. I loved it! Very unique flavour!
Our friends enjoyed their food and our red wine was equally yummy and pretty cheap at around 30 Euro. Although, we were tempted by the dessert choices, Lana remembered a gelato place that was close by. Amoroni gelato shop - same as in Milan. Lana and Debrah both had a petit cup while we walked to their apartment rental. Their apartment is a third floor walkup in a great building.
So much fun being in Paris with friends and exploring together. Back in the subway with one transfer and then a short walk back to the hotel. We are back just after midnight to our room. Lights out after a memorable first day in Paris. This city holds a special allure for many people. For certain, we noticed that couples seem to want to show their affections more - the romantic city of Paris.... We are looking forward to tomorrow in Paris and hope the weather changes to the better. Can't wait to get back out onto the streets of Paris.
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