Writing this from home.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Rome to Paris

Left The Beehive at what I thought was a reasonable time, but managed to miss the train to the airport anyway. No matter, they have one every half hour. I must say this about Italy - when the trains run, they run on time!

Got to the airport and went in search of the AirFrance lounge. Managed to get some coffee and brioche before the flight was called. This business class flight was a non event. They basically put a tray in the middle seat of an economy row and served champagne. No cushy seat, no real perks, a short flight anyway. Got into Paris at 3ish and tried to see about getting a boarding pass for the day after tomorrow. No luck. So wandered to the RER (thats regional rail) and found out trains are on strike. The funny thing about strikes in France and Italy. They apparently don't walk out until demands are met, leaving the country high and dry waiting for teachers, buses, rail etc. No, they have symbolic strikes, like just the morning, or just every other train. It's to raise awarenesss of their particular issue and hopefully get the populace on their side (which they were anyway).

So, even though the trains were 'on strike', I got on a train (albeit a very crowded one) and got into Gare Nord, where I then took the Metro to my stop. A short walk later, and I was at the St. Christopher Hostel of Paris, one of a chain throughout Europe. This one is a new building, very modern design, with functioning elevators and bar and restaurant attached, with a river view. The rooms are well designed - my room had six beds, three above three below, all lined up on the same wall, with railway curtains on each one to shut out the light and give privacy. Each berth also had reading light and two ! outlets, very usefull for charging cellphones and cameras and computers. The Wifi sort of worked in here, although the signal was not strong anywhere in the hostel. Cages below the beds for locking up anything you wanted to. And an electronic key card (dont forget it if you go to the bathroom!). Bathrooms were dorm style, very well designed and clean.

After stowing my gear, I went back downstairs to the restaurant. I decided I would have a meal and then head out to see the Eiffel Tower lit up for night. A hamburger, some fries and a glass of wine later, I headed out. Managed thru the directions of the hostel and also a Parisien website that performs like HopStop here, to find my way to the Tower. It was big!! Did not expect that height, or the base to be so wide. That's what comes from visiting Vegas and going on their Eiffel Tower!

Could only get the lift to the second level and after looking down, decided that was fine by me thank you very much! Walked all around, took some very shoddy pictures and looked out over Paris. More tomorrow!

Wednesday November 11, 2009 My one and only day in Paris

And the coldest day I'd encountered. 42 F. So, after a great breakfast at the hostel of fresh baguettes, cereal and coffee I met a group at the front door who were doing the Sandeman's Walking All Over Tour of Paris. I highly recommend this tour. The price is what you want to pay, basically tips to the tour guide, who is usually a young student in languages, history, art or theatre. That means, in my case, walking around for three and a half hours with the delightful Jacqueline from Australia. Jacqueline decided to come to Paris to learn Francais better, so she usually gives a tour at 11am, then has a half day in French class. This however being Armistice Day, is a school holiday. As a matter of fact, it is the custom at 11 o'clock to have a moment of silence for the fallen from WWI and the other wars.

At the start of the tour I met a delightful Parisien woman, Catherine, who decided to take the tour to see what the tourists see. Her english was excellent and she is well travelled in the US. I hope to see her over here someday.

So, after meeting at Place St. Michel, Jacqueline leads us off on a whirwind walk, over bridges, past statues and monuments, up to famous buildings, talking and singing and dancing all the while (background in theatre and communications). Delightful! Along the way, we learned about the Louis' and the Napoleans, the French customs and the language, and the gypsies various scams. We all also learned from Catherine, that we have been saying Armani wrong. It's not Ar-MAN-i, but AR-man-i. Probably won't fly over here.

Had a lunch break and got a baguette with tomatoes and goat cheese - quite a workout for the teeth and gums! When we finished the tour, we were near the Eiffel Tower, the petit Palais and not too far from the Arch de Triomph. By this time, my little toes and fingers were getting pretty numb, even with tights and gloves, and I was worn out. So, while others made plans to head on to other sights or catch a meal, I asked directions back to the hostel. After a little walk around, I headed underground and back to the hostel. I would need to get up at 4:30 to catch my Metro to the airport.

So, after setting things out for the morning and packing everything else up, I climbed up to my bed and tried to sleep but sleep didn't come until the usual time and I had a restless night, waiting for the alarm.

Thursday, November 12, 2009 almost home!

No problems meeting up with the Metro on time, but I was astounded with how busy it was at 5:30 in the morning. Paris has become a very diverse city and I saw a lot of Afro-Parisiens heading off to work. Once I reached the airport and went thru security (first time they wanted to take my little scissors!), I headed straight for the AirFrance Lounge. Got my cappuchino, juice, rolls, yogurt, newspaper (Herald Tribune) and settled in for a bit. When the flight was called, it was back to the nice comfy wide seats again, and champagne. I was fed a brunch (with wine)and a dinner (with more wine) during my eight hour flight, which seemed strange when I landed at 10:30 a.m. New York time!

NYC was also cold, and windy, with a touch of rain as well. No matter, almost home to sunny Florida. Went by my daughter Fiona's salon and got to hang out with her and get my hair done before heading back to her place for the night.

Friday, November 13, 2009 My lucky day

So despite high winds and rain, the flight takes off on time and lands, miraculously 40 minutes ahead of schedule. My roomate Ginny picks me up in the sunshine 72F and we head back home to Lakeland.

Note to those who think this blog is done. I'll be making a further entry in the next day or so, a postscript if you will on my reflections on Italy, Europe and travel. I also hope to update all the pics with labels and get them loaded here on Off Exploring. Stay Tuned!