In Paris!

We arrived in Paris today!

I have been to Paris several times before, but I was still excited about this trip. I have some wonderful memories from past trips.

G and I rode the bus from Orly Airport to the city. We got off the bus at the stop next to the Opéra de Paris. We walked around to the front of the building with our bags where the metro stop was. I was already annoyed by the weight of my bags and just wanted to be at the hotel. I was exhausted; I hadn't slept on the plane. G, despite his own exhaustion, was amazed by the opera building.
We finally found our way to the hotel. We stayed at Rick Steves' favorite Parisian hotel, Grand Hôtel Leveque, on the quaint Rue Cler. Rue Cler is primarily a pedestrian street. The Sunday market on Rue Cler is quite the event. Today happens to have been Sunday. As we turned onto the street, we squeezed past sellers and shoppers, displays of ripe produce, and tables of antiques. We continued about two blocks down the street to discover our hotel.

Although quite expensive, the hotel is walking distance to the Eiffel Tower and the Hôtel des Invalides. The room is small, and the beds are a bit run down, but the space is clean and we have a lovely street view.

The view from our hotel window.

Feeling grimy from the plane, I showered and then rested some. Finally, after a long nap, we forced ourselves to get up and find the Eiffel Tower.

I make fun of him for it mercilessly, but G has a bit of a map addiction. No matter where we go, the first thing he wants to do is get his hands on a map. Paris, of course, was no exception.

G orienting himself with the map of Paris.

G and I differ in our traveling philosophy. While I tend to walk around exploring streets and choosing the most interesting for my path, G likes to know where he is at all times and where he is in relation to the major sights.

Since the weather was wonderful and today is Sunday, the line to visit the Eiffel Tower was incredibly long. We had planned to ride in one of those orange elevators to the second level, but we were put off by the line. Instead, we bought crepes from the stand next to the merry-go-round, sat on a blanket, and gazed at the tower. Of course, I had seen the tower a number of times before, but the sight never gets old or loses its greatness.

A visit to see the Eiffel Tower was the best way we could have begun our European journey.