PARIS
We took an RER overland train to the station Chatlet les-Halles. Outside the station we were faced by a jaw dropping church church. This is when we realised we had arrived once again in Paris. You never know what you are going to see around the next corner. Then we walked to our accomodation – an Airbnb opposite a church and near the Pompidou centre. The host arrived early to allow us to drop off our bags early. We headed back to explore our first big church only hours after arriving. Words can not describe what it is like to step into a 13th century place of worship with organ pipes playing, stained glass windows and pillars that tower as high as the clouds. The air around you is filled with peace and tranquility. This is one of many churches we will explore on our travels and it was a beautiful one to start with.
Important french words I learnt today were Boulangerie. This means bakery where we will be heading daily for fresh sour dough bread, pastries and croissants. Another was beurre and this is butter along with bio meaning natural and organic. We also found some mouth watering roasted sesame Lindt dark chocolate that is incredibly yummy.
LOUVRE
We decided to beat the jet lag by staying up until 6pm so we spend the afternoon at the Louvre only a 15 minute walk from our apartment. So many rooms filled with creative, artistic sculptures, painting, tapestries and artefacts. Too much to take in really. We saw the Mona Lisa – which had crowds around it. There weren’t any crowds in the street (took us 2 minutes to get into the Louvre – where we have heard of 3 hour queues).
We made our own bruschetta on fresh bread for dinner (with a local beer for Rob). Avocados are the same price as in Australia too! We are going to make all of our breakfasts and dinners at home. We did have a brunch in Paris whilst waiting for our apartment to become available. Lovely food – came on conveyor belts like sushi train!
So we never do anything by half measures. On our second day in Paris we walked 15 kilometres and 25 flights of stairs.
FERRIS WHEEL
This entailed us trying to do all the things we couldn’t fit in on our last trip to Paris. We rode the ferris wheel to take in the sights of Paris from the air.
No line just pay and jump aboard. We loved strolling the Champs Elysees which is the main street that leads to the Arc de Triomphe (big arch built by Napoleon). To enter most shops here you first need to go through a high security bag check. We were shocked when we entered McDonalds (best place to find a free toilet) that we needed to under go a bag search.
ARC DE TRIOMPHE
We climbed our way to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and realised we probably should have done some stair training before embarking on our year away. I don’t think it would be possible for us to gain weight if we keep up this pace.
I think my favourite thing over the last few days was observing Rob talk french. Watching his brain tick over as he loved the challenge of finding words that he had not used in 26 years. At least all those French lessons finally have a purpose.
Wednesday was a rest day after all of our exertions, we had a nice relax and cooked my version of a French savory crepe. Kim enjoyed her cherry beer!
Parks here are unusual – no resting allowed!! Or feet on the grass.
