Sept 30 2013 & 1 October 2013 Paris

Monday 30 Sept 2013 

We have now reached the end of the bus tour and have some time to ourselves in Paris.

Wow! What a luxury being able to awaken whenever and then lie in bed and relax!  This may take some time to adjust…no rushing to get the bags packed trying to keep up the pace of the scheduled day.  I had to remind myself several times not to put our suitcases outside the door!

Breakfast was startling in its difference from the day before.  Few people in the café, one was free to find and choose foods to ones liking.  I think it is the least desirable breakfast we’ve had though– crepes, but not good eggs…horrible, in fact.  But overall, the relaxed feel and some of the adequate food was a good thing.

We saw Chris and Thelma and then Eric and Adrian two couples we have spent the last 10 days with as they came down, and of course, we shared a few laughs with them. 

At about noon we had the desk call for a cab which came quickly and after a speedy ride, we were in fron of the Royal Saint Germain Hotel.  From the street, not much to look at, but it is truly a beautiful old lady with gracious appointments.  Our room is more comfortable than the last, for sure.  This hotel was an amazing suggestion made by our travel agent.  We would high recommend it and would return there, should we be blessed to go to Paris again. Royal Saint Germain - 159 Rue De Rennes 75006 Paris resa@hotelroyalsaintgermain.com.  Special thanks to Charlyne and Allan!

Once in our room – oh where are those magical porters who have been dragging our heavy bags around for more than a week? – we locked up our goodies and set out to find lunch.  At the door, our manager warned us with the advice we’ve heard so very often.  “Beware of pickpockets.”

Our other warnings have been:  Beware – the person who “finds” a golden ring.  He/she will say, "oh look what I’ve found!  I’d like to keep it.  But who will believe it is mine?  Perhaps you (tourist) will give me some money for it and I will give it to you."
Beware:  Petitioners – "we are on strike.  Will you sign the petition?"  It will then require some money once you’ve signed.  (We actually have that at home).
Beware:  Gypsies.  They train their little ones as young as 6 or 7 to steal.  It is their “job”.
Beware:  No matter what the scam – just say NO.  Firmly.  No explanation.  No conversation.
Beware:  attempt to shake your hand.  Or advances to “make you a bracelet.”

 

We walked a short way down the street to a café where we had a nice lunch, wine and beer, and did a bit of people watching through the thick haze of cigarette smoke in the outside eating area.  In fact….most of our meals had to take place inside, as the smoke is remarkable outside!

We were confounded with the city pass and the bus stops.  It would take us longer than we had to figure out which busses stop at which locations!  We finally made it to the Louvre, although getting back to the hotel was a true adventure in frustration, walking back and forth and exhaustion.  At the Louvre we saw a great deal of the art, including the Mona Lisa.  We purchased a few small souvenirs and I was one of 21 in line for the single WC.  Literally, I am not exaggerating!  21!

Got back to the hotel and attempted to use the computer.  Computer was having none of it.  We rested and then were too tired to go out and too hungry not to.  So off we went to a lovely little bistro just a few doors away – McDonalds!  The food was quite good.

A quick trip to a pharmacy and we returned to the hotel and literally fell into bed!  Sleeping in Paris is a hoot! 

 

Our second hotel.

View from our room.

 

 

 1 October 2013

 

 Another view from our room.

 Even the stairway down to the lobby was beautiful!

 The common room, breakfast room and computer room.

 

 

ROMANCE!

 

 

 

 They say you must purchase something, be it art or book, whatever from these ubiquitous stalls.  We didn't.

 

 The Lock bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 The traffic always made me glad we weren't driving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Seriously!  We had lunch on Champs Elysees!  I have thought of that since I was a very young girl!  I had to pretty much pinch myself the whole time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Our first morning at the RSG after about 10 hours of sleep, we had a very gracious breakfast in that gorgeous common room.  Plenty of coffee and lovely food and we were ready for as much Paris as we could see!
Again, the buses and their routes were maddening....but I'm sure we'd have gotten it down, had we had a few more days.

Returned to the hotel and once again attempted computer use.  I tried to log on to Yahoo.  I made it through, but them Yahoo put up a message that I was on a strange computer, so they would like to send me a message via e-mail or telephone.  Ummm?  Hello?  So never mind.

If it weren't for the hotel staff we'd still be there...never could have made our flight arrangements.  Hmmm maybe they really did me no favor!  Ha!