We were up early in anticipation of our rail trip to Paris. Sometime before 5:30am Bet and I started getting ready for the 7am rail departure. We had a first class trip to London’s King Cross booked. Once there we jump on the tube to Waterloo station where the connection for Eurostar train to Paris was waiting to take us through the Chunnel to our final destination. George knew.
For me, the tube provided the disappointment opportunity of my Paris trip. The London Underground is a pretty darn good service and somehow I managed to leave my prize possession backpack on the Bakerloo line. This was just plain bad. Thanks to Bet, who filed the lost and found claim, I eventually moved on and realized my digital camera, favorite hat and worldwide travel pack were gone forever. Even though we’ve traveled to and thorough London it’s always accompanied by some apprehension. My guess it’s the 10 million people in the area.
Now Paris was the prize, we got to the Hotel de Vigny via taxi around 3:30 pm. Our Eurostar trip was very comfortable, the food was better than our trip to Bruges and the wine flowed freely. It reminded me of the good old days of international air travel. We’ve been to Paris before but these are the best accommodations and weather we’ve ever experienced. We cleaned up a little and hit the sidewalks. We walked the districts from the Champs Elysees passed Notre Dame. We had a late night dinner at a small café off one of the side streets. That’s where you find the unique restaurants off the beaten path.
This is the first time on my travels through France that I have felt totally comfortable with the people, places and things. I mean everyone I encountered seemed welcoming and warm. This is really what I’ll remember about Paris in the future. I’ve gone away with a totally different view of France in general.
Sunday we jumped up and by 9:30 am we were on a train to a town forty minutes outside of Paris. The train was packed with people. Bet and I had to split up for seats. I talked to a polish IT Sales type guy the whole trip who lives in France and was looking for work. I gave him our company name and sent him to our London Offices. If he gets hired, it would be good for our eastern European and Russian ventures.
Anyway, next to the train station we rented bikes and took off to find Monet’s home and gardens. First thing, it was a beautiful trek but this old butt of mine is no longer build for cycling. We ate ice cream while queued up to view the property of the French master. What sights, they were remarkable. My favorite was his house. He must have been like me with the focus being on the cooking, dining, and wining. I like all the French oak and the pastel painted rooms. After our garden view, we were back in Paris to see Monet’s paintings and mural of these very gardens.
Sunday, was national Election day. Can you imagine 85% turnout? They vote on Sundays. At the end of the day, my favorite candidate Sarkozy captured the election. He’s a winner and may even set the French on the right path. How is it going to be without the hate-everything-american government? Hello, welcome to this century. We may well be their best friends but time will tell. On this day we were doing our daily ritual of evening wine and snacks. We had walked by the English and US embassies. Very strange the sight of heavily armed police of all sorts blocking off the streets on the street in front of the embassies. We ended up at a small corner café on the Rue le Concordia. Loads of young people milling about and heading on down the street to join the Sarkozy rally. Right in front of us a crowd had gathered to view the big plasma screen TV behind us to watch the goings on. The Sarkozy rally at his head quarters which was just a couple of blocks away and was the center of all attention.
Monday morning early, we found the Metro underground to north Paris’ burbs where they have 6 hectors of Flea market, antique and everthing you can think of stuff! I don’t know what a Hector is either and we spent about four hours there browsing blocks and blocks of markets. We finally gave up and had fabulous French food and wine at a corner café. We have yet to encounter a bad meal at any of these great little bistros.
Today we’re headed home. You’ve heard about the 35 hour French work week. It’s Tuesday and we’re out shopping early in the district for that sort of thing. Two stores were open, wow. We head back to the Champs and our Hotel. Come to find out there’s a parade today. Full military and police brass are on display today. I like marching bands and the like.
. . . . see ya,
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