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That's it! A little after 24 hours since we left our home (we stayed in a hotel near San Francisco airport the night before to catch the early morning flight), we finally landed in Paris. Geoff decided to experience what a Parisian would do, so instead of hailing a taxi to the hotel, we struggled with our luggages and rode train into the city. I was surprised there wasn't an express train linking the airport to Paris. After many stops, we slowly arrived at Gare de Nord and switched to metro subway to get to our destination.
Despite our slow pace, we were still early to check into our hotel (we landed a little before 7:00 am, and our check-in time had to be after 10:00 am), so we stopped at a subway cafe to grab a bite to eat and kill some time. Coffee (or should I say espresso) tasted much better than my favorite Starbuck's coffee, and the sandwich was delicious!
Finally, it's after 10:00 am, and we walked to our hotel--Hilton Arc de Triomphe. It was a short walk from the subway to the hotel. As we were approaching the hotel, I was secretly thinking it looked kinda drab from the outside--a plain looking grey building. But I was pleasantly surprised once we walked into the hotel. It's decorated in the charming art deco style. The lounge and guest room turned out to be very pleasant. Like a good tourist, I swiped out my camera and took quite a bunch of pictures while Geoff checked us in.
After a quick shower to rinse off the "dust" from the journey, we headed out to check out the city. We decided our first stop would be Arc de Triomphe since it's just around the corner (literally). The walk to it was nice and Andy was very chipper the entire time. I was surprised he's not tired at all! Once we got to the Arch, Andy wanted to climb all the way to the top. But Geoff and I thought it would be smarter for us to buy 4 day museum passes instead of the 6 day ones, so we decided to wait 'till tomorrow to climb the Arch.
Since we were not going to see any more museums today, I wanted to check out the Chanel store to look for the aviator sunglasses I've been craving for. We got to the store and while I was selecting the sunglasses, Andy finally "crashed" on the sofa in the store! I "quickly" made my selection and off we went heading back to our room to call it a day...
It's now midnight, and I couldn't sleep anymore because of the jet lag. So I got up and made this collage of our first day in Paris:
Despite our slow pace, we were still early to check into our hotel (we landed a little before 7:00 am, and our check-in time had to be after 10:00 am), so we stopped at a subway cafe to grab a bite to eat and kill some time. Coffee (or should I say espresso) tasted much better than my favorite Starbuck's coffee, and the sandwich was delicious!
Finally, it's after 10:00 am, and we walked to our hotel--Hilton Arc de Triomphe. It was a short walk from the subway to the hotel. As we were approaching the hotel, I was secretly thinking it looked kinda drab from the outside--a plain looking grey building. But I was pleasantly surprised once we walked into the hotel. It's decorated in the charming art deco style. The lounge and guest room turned out to be very pleasant. Like a good tourist, I swiped out my camera and took quite a bunch of pictures while Geoff checked us in.
After a quick shower to rinse off the "dust" from the journey, we headed out to check out the city. We decided our first stop would be Arc de Triomphe since it's just around the corner (literally). The walk to it was nice and Andy was very chipper the entire time. I was surprised he's not tired at all! Once we got to the Arch, Andy wanted to climb all the way to the top. But Geoff and I thought it would be smarter for us to buy 4 day museum passes instead of the 6 day ones, so we decided to wait 'till tomorrow to climb the Arch.
Since we were not going to see any more museums today, I wanted to check out the Chanel store to look for the aviator sunglasses I've been craving for. We got to the store and while I was selecting the sunglasses, Andy finally "crashed" on the sofa in the store! I "quickly" made my selection and off we went heading back to our room to call it a day...
It's now midnight, and I couldn't sleep anymore because of the jet lag. So I got up and made this collage of our first day in Paris:
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From:
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Why are your pictures so small??? Your boys - especially the little one - appear to have fun.
Aaah, Paris. I was on my honeymoon there, but that was... Eight years ago? And a half. I'd love to go back there some day. The best moment? French cheese and vine on the bank of Seine.
I also love the modern architecture of La Defense.
More pictures, please!
From: (Anonymous)
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mick
From: (Anonymous)
Wow
We are happy you made it there Safely. Ha HA... ( the train Journey) Andy looks like he traveled well. See you in 4 days!
C n C
From:
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Geoff decided to experience what a Parisian would do, so instead of hailing a taxi to the hotel, we struggled with our luggages and rode train into the city.
You are brave! I don't think I've ever done that. It's quite a long way from CDG to the city center.
Coffee (or should I say espresso) tasted much better than my favorite Starbuck's coffee,...
But, of course. Did I ever tell you that France is the only country in the world where I actually drink coffee? I'm a tea-girl anywhere else.
It's now midnight, and I couldn't sleep anymore because of the jet lag. So I got up and made this collage of our first day in Paris: ...
Ahhhh, those streets! Them I know so well. I WILL live there one day.
Waiting to hear from you about the food. And shopping!
From:
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Anyway, because I didn't have time to upload all the pictures to my photobucket, I decided to make a collage. That's why the pictures were so small--I tried to fit as many pictures onto the 800x600 sized "canvas."
Since it rained most of the time here, we didn't stroll on the bank of Seine too much. But we did have lots of cheese and wines inside cafes! You are right, they are the best! We love the food here.
I've always wanted to visit La Defense. Hubby and I didn't have time when we were here last time. Unfortunately we still hadn't have the chance to go there this time either. *sigh* There are so many things to see and do in Paris!
From:
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We are having a great time here, even with all the rain! :)
From:
Re: Wow
Sure thing, girlfriend! Can't wait to see you tomorrow--sorry I didn't reply you until now--I couldn't stay online long enough to check out the comments and post replies. I only got time now 'cuz Geoff fell asleep! :)
From:
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About La Defense, it was a kind of obligatory thing for me (and hubbie) then, as we were almost-architects then (last year students). We have to know about all that modern stuff. ;)
The pictures - I meant the pictures of you! I know Andy is the most important person ;) and I'm sure I would be showing off my girls just the same, but... There was a lot of you in next posts though, so it's okay. :)
Have a grat time! Are you going to London now? I can't wait for your next entries (sorry that I stopped commeting, but you know RL... writing... ;)).
From:
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I didn't plan on it. But since I couldn't sleep in the middle of night, I might as well write down what we experienced. Especially this is Andy's first time in Paris, I thought it would be fun to have a record in writing of what we did...
Yep, it was a long way! I was especially nervous with tending the luggages as well as keeping an eye on Andy. I had this horrible fear that we would either got on or off a train but leaving Andy behind...
That I didn't know! The coffee here is delicious. I couldn't get enough of. I didn't even have the urge for any latte--I loved them black!
Funny it was only today I made the same comment to Geoff while we were strolling the streets in Saint Germain!
Food here was awesome. Shopping I didn't quite get to do except the trip to the Chanel store! :(
From:
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I didn't know you studied architecture. No wonder you know so much about art and compositions!
No, we are heading to Cannes tomorrow. Don't worry about commenting here--it's great to hear you are concentrating on writing! ;) You know I am so glad I had the foresight of saving your fic "I Didn't Want to..." into a text file off-line. Since my online access was so limited here, I haven't been able to visit AR board at all since I got here!
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{hurries off to read Day 2}
From:
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::blushing:: You exaggerate, but thank you.