Travel Zette

Paris is often on my mind. I have this city on my iPhone world clock and the weather as part of another app that I view daily. I wonder some days what it would be like to live here. Now that I am here, it’s difficult to think of leaving.  It feels familiar and the longer I stay, the more comfortable I become.  This is my fifth time here and I still get asked questions on the street in French. Some I can answer and others I do not understand. ‘Je ne sais pas’ is my typical response but I know this may not always make sense to the inquiry. I did have a young couple ask for directions to the Champs Elysées inquiring first if I spoke English. I had seen them ask a few others as I came up the path in the Tuileries. They were so close and we were all happy to be understood!

I am trying to see things I have not visited in the past as the popular sites are quite crowded with summer tourists. I have taken long walks, some familiar and some new. I enjoy mastering the metro and feel great when I discover that I have walked the right direction after emerging from the underground.  Although wandering brings its own pleasures too. I do miss being here in fall and winter when the streets are quiet and you can find a place to sit.  I did find a nice spot one day on the Place de la Concorde with a view of the monuments.

The decision to come here was not planned in advance. This can work out well or bring challenges. We docked in Dover, England on 12 July and I had no plans on what to do next. Limited internet access left me with little research opportunities and no reservations. As I had always wanted to see Bastille Day fireworks on 14 July at the Eiffel Tower and was this close, the adventure began. From our ship the Ryndam, docked in Dover on 14 June, 28 June and 12 July, I could see the P&O ferry terminal and found they go to Calais for 29£. This seemed reasonable and I could take the train to Paris from there. At 6:00 pm after leaving the ship at 9:30 am, I was at Gare du Nord in Paris.  Unfortunately, my phone was almost out of battery power and I had no idea where to go. I walked outside the train station and saw a hotel across the street, Mercure Terminus Nord. They had a room, not special but only 79€. Deal! I did one night, then added two more and each day adding another night. The fourth day the rate increased due to occupancy but I was given a new room that was much nicer.  The price even went back to the original nightly rate after a couple of days. I’m still here after 10 days of varied rates based on occupancy and the front desk clerks know me well. I’m returning to my room each night and falling asleep with French words running through my head and loving it!

The Bastille Day fireworks were amazing and I happened upon a nice view point walking down Rue le Tasse just past the Trocodero. I had front row by a gate with a nice view of the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed a wonderful evening. The adventure continues as travel plans change and I’m practicing living in the moment, accepting what is and taking advantage of the time given to me.