Day 1 in Paris Wrap-up1
Tuvia is in a sweet snore right now and I have the guilt-free time I need for this end-of -the-day moment to capture something before the freshness slips away.
First, let me say that I miss Continental and their customer service. The merger with United is just not working for me but then the airlines in general seem to have figured a way to stay out of the red, they are torturing the passenger who is not ready to move up to first class. We did pay extra for the economy plus upgrade but I can’t imagine what regular economy feels like on these newer planes. We weren’t feeling the comfort when we tried sleeping on our 7 hour plane ride from Newark. Good thing we had this first day to take on the cold and the rain with short bursts of walking, stopping for wine and circling back to our sweet boutique hotel, perfectly located a block away from the Champ… and the Arch de Triumph 🙂
We arrived early, say 9:00 AM after a long ride from the airport in Paris rush hour. I had to stop watching the meter as it ticked beyond $100. Our room was ready and breakfast was set with endless cups of strong coffee and warm croissants. We were transitioning and with the energy we had after unpacking we hit the streets with umbrellas and winter jackets. We were prepared after careful updates from the weather channel all last week.
It was a short first adventure into the streets around the Arch. Just a few pictures and a first glass of wine by late morning before we gave in and returned to the room for a necessary nap for the afternoon. After all we were missing more of the rain and cold because magically when we were up and ready to get back out into the city the sun was breaking and we weren’t alone. We had a great first meal at the Hippopotamus and then meandered back up the street to examine the Arch close up and we found that we were not alone. Big doings at the Arch all captured on my iPhone and Facebook 🙂
And as we headed back, just one block closer to the hotel, with a bit of energy for an early evening drink and some people watching, I’d say we were ready more more activity to come tomorrow, when we start hoping on and off the tourist buses and crack into our 2 day museum passes.
But there’s no way we could say goodnight without at least one episode of the West Wing Season 7 downloaded just for this trip.
So my friends thanks to beginning this journey with me. We are off to a great week in the City of Love 🙂
Digital Bonnie 
Great to see the city again through your pictures, Bonnie. Here’s to a good night’s sleep and more adventures tomorrow.
If you weren’t my friend, I’d have to hate you. This print should be green as envy seeps from my fingertips. 🙂 What a wonderful way to start a trip! I agree with your assessment of the airlines. Let me assure you economy is a miserable place to be. Keep sharing my friend and I shall live vicariously through you.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful beginning. I smile reading your joy through your words.
Great way to start the day by looking at your photos of Paris! Enjoy! Hopefully the sun will visit you on your trip!
Always love the pictures. Bu a $100 taxi ride? Yikes.
🙂
Kevin
I would’ve been plotzing looking at that meter. Whoa!
LOVE the photos. ENJOY yourselves. (I know you will.)
This post made me so envious of your trip and you’re just at the beginning! Have a great time!
You and Tuvia are the traveling couple this year, Bonnie. So great to hear all about your time there! My son & family just returned about a month ago, so I’m getting a double dose of Paris wonder! Have one croissant for me, sil vous plait!
What a great start to what will be a fantastic trip. Enjoy!
How exciting! I was in Paris in 2010, so it is so fun to see your pictures. Enjoy your time – it’s such an amazing city!
Such beautiful pictures!
Once again I’m reminded why you are my retirement role model!
Oh-la-laa. Paris. Enjoy your trip! I hope that at least on one day it will be warm enough to sit in an outside cafe to sip some coffee. No matter what the weather, you will see beautiful places.
I always love traveling through your eyes. It might be the pictures and images of where I am not but might want to be’ however, it is also the magical way you weave the trials and tribulations of the trip into the relief of a late morning glass of wine. I am looking forward to the next day of OUR trip!
I am so thankful for bloggers like you that get to travel. A little flight of fantasy for me at my kitchen table.