Amazingly, after being awake for 26 hours and with the airport shuttle dropping us off in the middle of Paris, I was still up for a little fun. I politely asked the first person I saw for directions, speaking only what little French I knew. I said, "Bonjour, Arc de Triumph s'il vous plait" and pointed up and down the streets, indicating that I am lost. Surprisingly, it worked, and I shortly found myself approaching the Arc and all the traffic around the circle. After my 30-minute "Pinch me, I am in Paris, France" moment, I took some pictures and used my non-English map to find my hotel. (What fun is getting a taxi when you can just meander toward your destination)?
My first night is Paris was amazing! After getting over jetlag, I started to wander the streets and let the adventures begin. Armed only with my map, I explored the side streets near my hotel. Soon afterward, bravery kicked in and random walks became instincts. By midnight, I made it to the Eiffel Tower. Joining a party on the lawn, I sat on the grass, sipped champagne with new friends, and watched the tower sparkle at the top of the hour. After roaming around and singing with a band of young guitar and bongo musicians, I strolled for the next two hours in the Parisian twilight bound to see the outside of the Louvre all lit up. I will always remember the beauty of the triangular entrance adorned in lights under the night sky. My night ended with a walk up the Champs Elysees, gelato in hand, back toward my hotel.
Before meeting with our tour group in the afternoon, I enjoyed people watching at a cute patisserie before taking taking another stroll down the Champs Elysees; making every stop as recommended by Rick. He is right, the macarons at the Tea Salon are well worth the long lines. I even went to the McDonald's along the grand boulevard; although disappointed to find out that the Quarter Pounder is not called a Royale with Cheese :-P. My walk ended along the pedestrian friendly Rue Cler where I ordered my first meal in French at the Cafe Du Marche (although I cheated a little bit when I overheard another couple ordering their meal in English). Arriving early at our first hotel of the tour, I rested for a few hours before meeting our tour members for the first time.
After our initial meet and greet, we began our Best of Europe in 14 day adventure with a stroll along Rue De Grenelle before arriving at our first restaurant: the Cafe Roussillon. How do you top off an incredible French meal with your new friends? Have "Uncle Rick" treat us to our first glass of wine. To that I say, Oui, Oui!
After dinner, we walked off our four course meal by heading toward the River Siene for an early evening cruise. Floating under the pedestrian bridges adorned with gilded sculptures, famous monuments, and magnificent buildings was spectacular. We ended the with a night with a final stroll along Rue Cler on the hunt for the finest gelato Paris has to offer.
Our next day began with a lesson on riding the Paris Metro before heading off to the Louvre Da Vinci would have been proud, I managed to fight the mob of tourists hovering around Mona to have a few moments admiring his favorite work. I also traveled to the Orsay Museum where my fix of Van Gogh self portraits was satisfied. I then met up with my new tour buddies for an evening of wine and people watching before a final stroll along the Siene.
That evening, while admiring the Parisian zeal for life, I was mezorized staring at a beautiful woman wearing a bright blue dress, twirling and dancing on the bridge. With the reflection of the fading sun as a backdrop, this moment was nothing short of a fairy tale. Within a few minutes, I was tapped on the shoulder by a stern, yet polite gentleman holding a camera. I was told in the most lovely French accent that I was interrupting a photo shoot and that I am "in the frame". Apparently, I interrupted a model shoot. Being my playful and innocent self, I smiled, apologized, and continued my stroll.
Our final morning in Paris was spent enjoying crepes and cafe' (espresso) at a quaint patisserie, admiring the Parisian love of life. I was fortunate to spend the morning attending Church at the Notre Dame Cathedral before taking a final walk along on the Ile de la Cite' and Pont Neuf before meeting up with our tour group bound for our next destination, Beaune.