Absolutely glorious day for wanderings. Things really are working out perfectly for us. Refresh that weather page, and you won’t be able to find rain
Stopped for lunch Parisienne-stye at La Ferme da mange - with sandwiches built just for me will remember that one for later - - and a cappuccino so good that I went to grab a second as I was gulping down the last of the first… We were off to find la Tour Eiffel!
cough cough find …
sputter
The Tuilieries metro stop is just at the end of our street. Beautiful art nouveau wrought iron curls at the entrance, below is currently decorated to commemorate the last siècle. Newly purchased 5 day pass in hand, we descend
… I have always understood the subterrain, and the French system really is clearly marked.
All is good until we come up for air: we each have a map in hand, but soon realize we are holding them in opposite directions
gah! one of us must be right, right? or do we turn them 90°?
For anyone else, the Eiffel Tower would have been a sufficient compass ;)
Everything fell into place. Or, more truthfully, everything just seemed to work in our favour.
To begin: RobertQs, as always, was the perfect solution. While our driver refused to drive in a manner befitting our situation (didn’t he know we were going to Paris?!) he was extremely polite and courteous, directing his preamble and our itinerary directly to Jill and I - might seem a conceit to say, yet isn’t that the vice of all first-person narratives? that the plot revolve around the protagonist?
We arrived at the Toronto airport the planned 4hrs early. Only to discover that our flight desk wouldn’t be manned until “3hrs prior to departure”. No worries: we were in an airport, mecca for the people-watchers.
Grabbed a bite to eat: the usual questions: Where are you going? Paris. Have you been before? no. Are you going with a tour group? no. Good. I think that is the better way to go. That way, you aren’t only seeing the things they want you to see. thud
Done, we made our way back to the check-in counter. This time, there is a queue of about 3 different parties waiting to be processed. Pretty, urban attendant comes up and asks if we were going to Paris. When we told her we were indeed, she has us follow her, and opens a new counter to check us in. No lines for Jill and ka, plus we had wonderful company because she decides we would be a perfect time to take her break. the image of her dragging on her borrowed cigarette will probably be the first of many I wish I had caught on film. And, yes, I made sure to pick her line when we went to board our plane.
The flight? our friend’s magic kept working. Jill had the window, I the accompanying seat in the aisle to stretch out my legs. While the movies shouldn’t be considered entertainment (read as: ka. got to page 93 in her book) the flight itself was an amusement ride: 20 min of turbulence in the air is better than any rollercoaster!
Took us awhile to locate my rucksack: just long enough to worry, long enough to feel lucky for finding it…
Just lost the text probably just the first instance to come of my first post. No worries- have it all scribbled down in the wonderful journal Louise got for me…
more to come later
Pun fully intended -> i am off to Paris for two weeks of adventures with Jilly!
There shall be two running accounts of our adventures: this, and here.
Not sure yet if we shall be uploading visuals, but the verbal ramblings should amuse nevertheless ;)
Jilly! suggested a link to our flat might not be appropriate, but i can’t resist posting a description:
Place du marche Saint Honoré used to be an Old Market,.. [our] building is situated in the heart of historical Paris facing the Tuleries Gardens.
It is a 4 minute walk to the Louvre,..
crossing through the garden brings [us] to the Museé d’Orsay,…
shiver
