We arrived in Paris Thursday afternoon and started off with a bad taxi experience. As we were walking off the train, we were greeted by a bunch of gypsy cab drivers asking if we needed a ride. We declined, and got in the main taxi line. Since there were 5 of us, they held us to the side to wait until a van pulled up. We told the driver where we were going and 2.5 miles and 15 minutes (max) later we were at our Airbnb. We get out of the cab, and the driver pretended to know no English and pointed to a laminated card that said 95 Euros. We paid, but I know that we were taken advantage of by this driver. The host of our Airbnb was completely different and a very friendly French man.
This was our main train station...
and our neighborhood street.
Thursday night we did not do much - just took the subway to see the Eiffel Tower and had dinner near the Tower. Friday morning we went to KB Coffee - suggested by the Kruckenberg's.
It was a cute little coffeeshop and breakfast wasn't too bad either.
In Paris there was not a lot of coffee to go. Parisians actually sit down and enjoy their coffee - unlike Americans drinking it on the go. I prefer the Parisian way.
We then went an hopped on the Big Bus Tour. We rode the entire route without getting off at any stops just to get a lay of the land.
The Louvre from the bus.
Arc de Triomphe from the bus.
Eiffel Tower from the Bus.
This is the Paris opera house - it was the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera. The chandelier inside this building really did fall from the ceiling.
We finished the bus tour and walked back to The Louvre courtyard.
We then walked to Notre Dame Cathedral.
The next 3 pictures are from the top of the 3 entrances to Notre Dame. I don't know what they depict exactly, but it appears it is Jesus's birth, death and resurrection.
This is in the cathedral square, and marks the center of Paris. I heard on the bus tour you should put your heel in it and spin around, so that is exactly what I did.
Group pic in front of Notre Dame.
Street fair along the Seine.
Our afternoon snack on Friday...gelato with a French macaroon.
My two favorite desserts came together.
I wish I had one of these right now :)
In front of the Musée d'Orsay- we didn't actually go in, but Dave liked the rhino.
Saturday started with a stroll and breakfast on the Champs-Élysées.
We stopped into Nike Paris.
But didn't stop in Louis Vuitton.
The Arc de Triomphe.
Saturday's snack was a croissant and coffee.
I took this picture from the bus. I thought it was very interesting that the majority of the homeless beggars I saw in Paris were in this position. It made me think that this is the posture we should get into before God...without His grace and love, we are all homeless beggars in life.
Joan of Arc
The Moulin Rouge
Saturday afternoon we had ice cream while waiting for our boat cruise on the Seine (yes, I indulged on this trip).
The Eiffel Tower in lights. The sparkling show was the best.
Sunday morning Dave and I walked to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. It was in our neighborhood and an awesome park. I didn't get up early any morning to go for a run because I wasn't getting a great vibe from the neighborhood, but wish I had found the park sooner as it would have been a great place to run.
Sunday we actually went inside The Louvre.
Hanging out with Mona.
It's a good thing the French macaroons in the U.S. are not as readily available or as good as they are in Paris.
Sunday snack...coffee and macaroons.
Sunday afternoon we had a little picnic of cheese, crackers and fruit in the park at the Eiffel Tower.
And then we hiked up the Eiffel Tower.
328 steps in total...it really wasn't that bad. And I should clarify, you can climb to the second level, but then have to take an elevator to the top.
The view from the top as we ended our time in Paris.
I haven't even been back a month and am ready to use my passport again :)
