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Published: September 3rd 2013
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Pompidou Center
This is an art center where all of the pipes and wiring are on the outside and color coded. I arrived in Paris 14 hours after I left Orlando. After a few stops to read my directions, I found my way to the correct commuter train, then Metro, and then walking about 6 blocks until I found the "flat" I'm renting from a guy on airbnb.com. It's in a fairly convenient location, and it's fine. This place is a study in living small. The room is about 12' by 11'; it sleeps 3, has a stool, shower, sink, frig, microwave, cooktop, and washing machine! I'm sleeping on a futon that is as hard as the floor, but I'm not going to complain, because I'm so tired I don't think I'll notice. While waiting for my check-in time, I walked to Notre Dame and checked it out. Paris is exactly as I had expected. There are scooters everywhere, with many of them parked on the sidewalks. It's a city of sidewalk cafes where everyone is smoking and kissing each other on both cheeks. I've seen lots of the same problems of American cities, with homeless sleeping on park benches and gang graffiti in certain areas. In order to deal with jet lag, it's always a good idea to keep going on
the first day, and then sleep on the typical schedule of the new country. I had planned to do that, however when I came back to my flat to check-in at 1:00, I hit the proverbial wall. My ankles were very swollen from sitting on a plane for so long, and I couldn't keep my eyes open. I gave in and took a nap. When I woke up I felt hung over, and considered staying in for the rest of the day. However, it would have been humiliating to have to admit to you that I wasted nearly my whole first day in Paris! So I got it together and went to the St. Michel area for dinner at a place that Claude, my airbnb host recommended as good, authentic, and cheap French food. Once again, I did some wandering before I found it. Getting anywhere is such an ordeal! I walk about 4 blocks to the Metro. It's just like U.S. subways...hot, dirty, and hard to navigate; but most importantly...cheap! Then I have to be sure I know where to exit, all the time looking confident and Parisian so I would be less of a pickpocket target. I'm usually
really good at maps and directions, but every time I emerge from a Metro underground station, I'm totally turned around and don't even know which direction to head!! The neighborhoods are very busy with people walking and buzzing around on scooters. Eventually, I made it to my location. I managed to be seated next to two young Australian (yea/English speakers)girls who are taking some time off from law school to travel for two months! It was nice to chat with someone in English. My host had recommended onion soup and beef burgundy, and Sarah had asked me to have a Nutella crepe for her, so that's what I had...along with a little sauvignon blanc. BTW, wine is cheaper than water. After dinner, I walked along the Seine and checked out Notre Dame with lights on it. I headed back to my flat at 11:00, but not until I once again took the wrong turn out of the Metro! I'm getting to know the 3rd Arrondisement because I've wandered all over trying to find my street! I'll do better tomorrow.
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carole
non-member comment
Go Girl!
Have enough fun for all of us who couldn't join you. Looks like you are off to a great start. Hide your wallet on the Metro!!!!!