Post by janetnj on Jul 28, 2011 18:00:35 GMT -5
After a week of weather that made me think the world might actually end on May 21, my flight landed exactly on time. There was a queue to get into the immigration queue, but it moved quickly.
Took the RER and then Metro line 5 to hotel le laumiere in the 19th. As I was struggling up the stairs a man coming down them stopped, pick up my bag without a word and sprinted to the top of the stairs. He turned and left so quickly - I'm not sure he heard my enthusiastic thank you.
Thanks to google streetview I had my bearings - the hotel was right across the street. Was a bit worried since they only asked for my name and time of arrival. No confirmation # that the chains use when they can't find your name. No worries - there was my name on a handwritten list.
Room wasn't ready so I freshened up in the lobby restroom and stowed my bag. Off to explore!
First up was a pain aux raisins. Found a patissierie with a line out the door. Turns out it had won an award for its baguette.
Found a cafe and had my first cafe creme and a tartine. I sat and people watched and just felt comfortable. The neighborhood had a nice mix of people.
Walked over to the Bassin de la Villette. The weather was just perfect - not a cloud in the sky and warm but not hot.
Stood on the drawbridge and just enjoyed the surroundings.
I strolled through a brocante on Quai de la Loire. I saw a glass box I thought would look good on a dresser, but decided to pass.
Passed a building with this sign.
The Jaures gymnasium was near the hotel and written in the book Secret Paris. The attendant let me in to take a look. Hmmm. The exterior was beautiful - inside looked pretty much like a typical gym.
Next I decided to take the metro to rue d'Alesia to do some shopping. But halfway there I decided I wasn't up for it. Saw that the metro stopped at Luxembourg so got off there instead, bought a sandwich and found a seat in the park. Lots of people were carrying a plastic bag with a handle. I was curious what exclusive restaurant gave these bags. Got a bit closer to discover it was McDonald's.
Headed back to the hotel and thankfully my room was ready. The room was basic but very clean and overlooked a garden.
It was a bit stuffy - I was thrilled when I opened the window and all I could hear was the sound of the fountain in the garden. No street noise! I slept peacefully for an hour and felt great.
I freshened up and headed to the Jaures metro stop to meet up with Mez. It's funny how a common interest and the internet have enabled people from all over the world to meet. I'm not a particularly outgoing person but I wasn't nervous at all about finding things to talk about between our mutual interests in Paris and tennis. We met by the canal just as a boat was going through. Then we went to the café and enjoyed some wine and good conversation. She’s as charming in person as she is in her trip reports.
Headed off to Monoprix looking for Confit de Canard and speculoos a tartiner. I had never tried speculoos but decided to get it after reading a post on another forum. It really is heaven in a jar. The grocery bag was heavy and I laughed thinking about hauling my luggage on the Eurostar and then to 3 different hotels in England..
By now it was early evening and I headed to my cousin’s. We spent some time at his apartment catching up on friends and family then went to dinner at le 20th Art. Didn’t write down what we had but I remember having a risotto that was fantastic. By this time I was feeling very tired – I didn’t even finish my last glass of wine. Headed back to the hotel and quickly fell asleep, thrilled to be in Paris.
Took the RER and then Metro line 5 to hotel le laumiere in the 19th. As I was struggling up the stairs a man coming down them stopped, pick up my bag without a word and sprinted to the top of the stairs. He turned and left so quickly - I'm not sure he heard my enthusiastic thank you.
Thanks to google streetview I had my bearings - the hotel was right across the street. Was a bit worried since they only asked for my name and time of arrival. No confirmation # that the chains use when they can't find your name. No worries - there was my name on a handwritten list.
Room wasn't ready so I freshened up in the lobby restroom and stowed my bag. Off to explore!
First up was a pain aux raisins. Found a patissierie with a line out the door. Turns out it had won an award for its baguette.
Found a cafe and had my first cafe creme and a tartine. I sat and people watched and just felt comfortable. The neighborhood had a nice mix of people.
Walked over to the Bassin de la Villette. The weather was just perfect - not a cloud in the sky and warm but not hot.
Stood on the drawbridge and just enjoyed the surroundings.
I strolled through a brocante on Quai de la Loire. I saw a glass box I thought would look good on a dresser, but decided to pass.
Passed a building with this sign.
The Jaures gymnasium was near the hotel and written in the book Secret Paris. The attendant let me in to take a look. Hmmm. The exterior was beautiful - inside looked pretty much like a typical gym.
Next I decided to take the metro to rue d'Alesia to do some shopping. But halfway there I decided I wasn't up for it. Saw that the metro stopped at Luxembourg so got off there instead, bought a sandwich and found a seat in the park. Lots of people were carrying a plastic bag with a handle. I was curious what exclusive restaurant gave these bags. Got a bit closer to discover it was McDonald's.
Headed back to the hotel and thankfully my room was ready. The room was basic but very clean and overlooked a garden.
It was a bit stuffy - I was thrilled when I opened the window and all I could hear was the sound of the fountain in the garden. No street noise! I slept peacefully for an hour and felt great.
I freshened up and headed to the Jaures metro stop to meet up with Mez. It's funny how a common interest and the internet have enabled people from all over the world to meet. I'm not a particularly outgoing person but I wasn't nervous at all about finding things to talk about between our mutual interests in Paris and tennis. We met by the canal just as a boat was going through. Then we went to the café and enjoyed some wine and good conversation. She’s as charming in person as she is in her trip reports.
Headed off to Monoprix looking for Confit de Canard and speculoos a tartiner. I had never tried speculoos but decided to get it after reading a post on another forum. It really is heaven in a jar. The grocery bag was heavy and I laughed thinking about hauling my luggage on the Eurostar and then to 3 different hotels in England..
By now it was early evening and I headed to my cousin’s. We spent some time at his apartment catching up on friends and family then went to dinner at le 20th Art. Didn’t write down what we had but I remember having a risotto that was fantastic. By this time I was feeling very tired – I didn’t even finish my last glass of wine. Headed back to the hotel and quickly fell asleep, thrilled to be in Paris.