Rear Window

My hotel room is really quite small and the a/c doesn't work.  There is a huge window, though, that opens onto a rooftop area and I love keeping the windows open while I'm in the room.  Initially I was a bit nervous about having them open while sleeping, but it would be quite difficult if not impossible for anyone to climb in so I'm loving it.  Great way to dry my laundry and to get a lovely breeze.

This evening, I'm reminded of Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window'.  I can't see anyone else (and they can't see me unless we all poke our heads out the windows, but I can hear:

• someone playing (practicing?) the piano
• children playing
• adults in conversation
• the clinking of cutlery and china
• an occasional 2-tone siren of the police
• the bells from the local church

Sightseeing in Paris

I always underestimate jet lag! I had special pills to take on the flight over that would help with jet lag -- and maybe they helped a little as I felt pretty good yesterday. Made it to 9:30 last night! Woke at 11 a.m. this morning, though, so I clearly needed the sleep.

My leg and ankle were incredibly painful when I got up and through much of the day. (Not the best picture, really, but it captures some of the swelling and bruising.)

The beautiful Venus de Milo sculpture

Even though I slept late this morning, I wanted to catch some of my itinerary so I headed straight for the Louvre, which is within walking distance of my hotel. And a beautiful walk it is, too, through the Tuilleries. The weather is absolutely beautiful here -- a bit warm really, so it's hard to dress without being uncomfortable. Then, inside the museums it can be quite warm. That said, I thought I was going to be sick for a while as I was walking through the museum, but I made it to the big 3:  Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo (pictured), and the Winged Victory. I had seen the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory the last time I was here, but I finally found the Venus de Milo hidden away in a little niche. I also took time and walked through the former apartments of Napoleon. Once again, I'm awestruck at the size of this former royal palace. Kind of makes me understand the reason for the Revolution!

One of the rooms from Napoleon's former apartments in the Louvre -- his former palace 

One of the unisex bathrooms

I've done some reading and know that most of the art in the Louvre was taken down and hidden from the Nazis during WWII. After walking through only part of this enormous place, I can't help but wonder how long it must have taken to crate up and move everything.

Interesting note: in various places in Paris there are unisex bathrooms. I was quite startled the first time I walked in and a man followed right behind me. Got used to it after a while, but it was a bit odd at first.

The center of Paris

After the Louvre, I thought I'd try Notre Dame again -- and the line was considerably shorter today. I had an audio tour on my phone that was really informational about the carvings on the outside of the cathedral and also talked about a plaque in the square in front of Notre Dame. That plaque marks the exact center of the city so, if you stand on it, you're facing all parts of the city at once.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame is really, really beautiful all the way around the outside of the building -- I walked around it several times. There's a lovely garden in the back and the famous flying buttresses are hard to miss. The church is especially beautiful from the opposite bank of the Seine where you can see the entire structure.

Notre Dame Cathedral from the Seine

I was less impressed with the interior -- maybe after seeing all of the huge cathedrals in England and St. Patrick's in New York I was expecting more. It was lovely, but I was more impressed with the exterior.

Upon my return to my hotel, I stopped at a little market and bought some lovely biscuits, cheese, grapes, and wine for a feast in my room. I have a small refrigerator and it really made for a perfect end to the day!

Bon Jour, Paris!

Passport control at CDG

Arrived safely in Paris but it sure wasn't what I was expecting! Looooooooong flight but I must have dozed a little as I wasn't as tired as I was upon arrival in London in 2010. I stayed up really late Friday night so I'd sleep, but it didn't really work. Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) is huge and really spread out. I had done my homework but expected to come into the main terminal. Instead, I had to take a shuttle & walk forever. Eventually, I got to passport control and it took maybe 45 minutes to get through. Finally got to the tourist info booth where I picked up my museum pass and ticket for the RER/Metro to get into Paris. (Note:  not happy with the passport official who stamped right over my China entry stamp.)

Beautiful first day in Paris

Note to self:  flying into London was waaaaay easier because everything is in English!

This ended up being a long day. Because I got to the hotel early, of course the room wasn't ready so I left my bag and went out to catch the tour bus. I ended up staying on and just riding around as it was such a nice day (77 and sunny) and I was really too tired to do a lot of walking. However, I did get off at the Eiffel Tower to get something to eat, and again at Notre Dame to look around.

I can't say this enough:  Paris is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen!

Today's highlights (and lowlights):

• Figured out the metro pretty quickly. Being in DC with Ian a month ago gave me some practice on the subway.
• People here are hygiene-challenged.
• The lines to get into Notre Dame stretched all the way to the other side of the square. Maybe tomorrow.
• Streets of Paris jut in all directions like the spokes of a wheel.
• Took me forever to find my hotel.
• There's a Starbucks just a few blocks from my hotel. Yay!
• No diet Coke here - just Coke Light and Coke Zero. Really expensive at a cafe or restaurant.
• Had a Parisien hot dog -- it's a really long hot dog stuck into a baguette.
• My hotel room is about the size of our guest room at home -- maybe a bit smaller even.
  
  
  

  

  Hot dog - Paris style

  

  My little hotel room

  
  

Almost a Tragedy

So, just before my trip, I end up injured!  Labor Day weekend I fell on the deck stairs at the lake. Huge severe bruise on my right butt cheek, plus major bruising and swelling on left ship.  Apparently I also bent my left big toe as it's really painful. Hope I can still do a lot of walking!

But, it's a glorious day at home (60s with a prediction of low 70s), crystal clear sky, and a lovely breeze - perfect travel day. It will be full-on Fall when I get back!