Trip Report - Part I

We were in Paris last week for a glorious three-day getaway. Was it worth it to travel so far for such a small period of time? Absolutely!

We flew nonstop on AirFrance from LAX to CDG. The flight was relatively comfortable. (I am still recovering the most awful 10+ hour flight on our way home from Italy last summer.) We arrived a little bit before 5pm local time and got to our hotel in the Latin Quarter an hour and a half later.

After a pleasant dinner at L%26#39;Atelier Maitre Albert,

we hit Blvd. St. Germaine and wound up in the alley behind St. Severin. We saw the sandwich boards in front of the restaurants advertising three-course meals for 15 euros and bemoaned dropping quadruple that amount for our own dinner earlier that evening.

Remembering that I had exhausted our supply of euros on the taxi ride from the airport, we scanned our surroundings for an ATM. Nothing in sight. Feeling brave, I approached a gentleman behind the counter of a takeaway creperie and asked, “Silvous plais monsieur, ou et le giche automatique le plus proche?” (Excuse me sir, where is the nearest ATM?) Now here lies the rub - if you ask a question in French, you will receive an answer in French, which is often given in rapid-fire speed, unlike the dialogue on my French language CDs. Nevertheless, with his gesturing, I was able to discern that we were supposed to go straight and then hang a right (turne a droite) at the first street.

En route to the ATM, we passed by the fountain at Place St. Michel and recognized the Italian restaurant where we dined on our first night in Paris two and a half years ago. After we found the ATM , I ordered a crepe from a stand nearby. “Je voudrais une crepe avec sucre et grand marnier silvous plais.” (I would like a crepe with sugar and grand marnier, please.) Another customer ordered a crepe especial, which prompted me to glance at the menu, where I discovered that a crepe especial contained sugar, nutella, grand marnier, coconut, and bananas. Mademoiselle behind the counter was not pleased when I changed my order to a crepe especial.

After we inhaled the crepe (I had not planned on sharing) and wiped the chocolate off our faces, we continued on, in no particular direction. I was giddy with excitement that I was back in my favorite city in the whole wide world. Of course we stopped several times for ma mari (my husband) to take photographs. My favorite one that night was of a young baker preparing dough to make pain (bread). The temperature from the oven covered the windows with condensation.

As we made our way to the Seine, I had to consult the map periodically, which is part of the joy of exploring Paris. We got to the Seine via Pont Neuf (New Bridge, which is actually the oldest bridge in Paris). I wanted to descend the stairs to walk directly along the river, but Jay though it best for us to stick to street level at night. We strolled through Ile de la Cite and passed a group of youngsters making music below. When they spied Jay aiming his camera in their direction, they broke out in cheer and posed for a picture. We waved and expressed our appreciation in English.

Finally, we reached the Notre Dame Cathedral, the home of my DH%26#39;s beloved gargoyles. By this time, it was past midnight and we decided to call it a night.

To be continued...

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Love it! I leave on Tuesday and can%26#39;t wait to read more of your report! Moms

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I love the detail, the funny stories, and the French. It makes me want to be in Paris speaking my mediocre French right now!! I%26#39;ll await your continuation. Thanks.

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I finally found Part I. Loved it! Ma mari and moi are going to Paris in April (for the first time!) and I can%26#39;t wait to explore the city. I shall await the continuation to your Trip Reports with much anticipation.....

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Merci for the reports - I want to go back to Paris so badly - hoping to return 2010. Oh so far away!

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Irgardener--Finally someone going back AFTER me rather than before me. I plan to return to Paris in Sept. %26#39;09 for my 5th trip. %26#39;10 is so far away--how about if you be positive about it and make it happen.

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Again, alot of great info!! Thanks.

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