12/8/13 …24 Paris hours!

December 10, 2013

As our trained stopped at the Paris station, I felt comfortable and relaxed and just looking forward to being here for the next day and a half! We were so calm and confident and it made me remember how scary it was lady year to suddenly be in France where as few people as possible will speak English to you…even I’d they can! How spoiled j am throughout most if my travels that language has been a very small issue!

We knew not to go out this one exit for cabs as we did last year as these drivers were pre reserved for hire and even though that was the case one of the drivers was willing to take us for 90 euros for the (what we now know is) the 16-20 euro Dara! Fortunately one of our fellow travelers used his gps to point out how close our hotel was; totally pisses off that cab driver and we found our way to the regular cab line! This year it was smooth and simple! My garden view room at Hotel de l’Avre is excellent with rough unfinished hardwood floors and a deep deep tub converted for shower use too. We actually didn’t check in to our rooms until nearly 12 hours later after spending our day in Paris though S we got in too early. Anka our lively hostess stored our bags for us however and off we went to walk to the Eiffel Tower area to try to catch a hop on hop off bus tour. Pat had a cold and it was chilly and breezy, although still unseasonably mild for December in Paris. But we decided this would be a nice way to see a lot and hop off to see Notre Dame Cathedral, which we never made it to last year! It took us all say and evening…but we accomplished it! We also managed two meals At tow lovely places to eat; we shopped some shops and we really got to people and TRAFFIC watch to our total contentment!
Along the way during the day, Pat’s daughter in law went into labor with her first grandchild (due date was Dec 24). My heart broke for her as I so knew she would give anything to be there for this exciting new life path. She kept in text touch with everyone and her beautiful grandson was born in the middle of the night! She has beautiful pictures and a yearning to be there holding him…and I don’t blame her one bit!

Must sign off now. Will post again during the train ride to London this afternoon and try to upload pictures!