MAY 17, 2018
We arrived yesterday afternoon and just had a quick walk to fetch provisions. We are in an aparthotel this time but it has everything!!! A microwave, small frig, a 2 burner hob, a coffee pot, and a half sized dishwasher – never seen one of those!!! It’s as wide as a normal dishwasher but only half the height. It has one rack and holds plates and glasses for two for about 2 meals. Perfect for a small flat!!
We bought a bunch of metro “cartes” on arrival and started today in search of a shoe store. Thom’s shoes are ancient!!! He found one on line and we got there after about 40 minutes of walking and metroing. Turns out they sell many types of sneakers but aren’t able to provide a consultation on the “best” for one’s style of use and type of gait, etc. Somewhat disappointed we reverted to plan B – look for replacement insoles. The ones we have have seen well over 1000 miles so probably getting new ones would be a good start to improving our ability to walk forever without our feet hurting. We came across a pharmacy and there were Dr Sholls!!! We opted for the gel/sports version. Not having scissors in the hotel room, I had to trim mine with the steak knife, making a mess of blue shavings in the process. Whatever….. they are now I place and ready for a test drive tomorrow.
We got back on the metro to Montmartre. We passed by all the artists on the square. I was there once before – in 1969!!! There is still a small silhouette of me with some of Mom’s stuff in storage. We then continued onto Sacré-Cœur. We went in – beautiful!! And the views of the city are terrific. It’s hazy though and it’s hard to see much.
After lunch we did a long walk from Les Halles. I wanted wander to Rue du Champ de Mars where we’ve stayed in the past, in a hotel of the same name. I was there in 2001 when visiting my daughter who was studying abroad for a semester, and again in 2004 when we took a month long trip that extended from Scotland to Sri Lanka, Senegal, and France. Of course it was still there! We would have stayed there but at nearly 200€ a night, it was a no go to book there. Our walk continued as we headed back to a shop we passed in the morning that had beautiful things in the window – salads, mini quiches, pates, lovely colors. We got a quiche and a “pizza” – looks like a pizza tart!, some “chinois” salad, beetroot salad, and chocolate mouse. Thom passed on getting a crème brulee…. Too bad. Another stop was made to procure the wine – nearly all choices at the grocery store are 3-5€….. of course!!! We’re in France!!! I have to keep reminding myself – we’re in Paris, we’re in France, and aren’t we lucky!!!!
Once again – we eat out at lunch – and for that we spend $30-$50!!! So it’s better I think, to eat in at night. Our “dinner” of the salads and quiches cost about $19, and the wine was $5.
MAY 18, 2018
Wandered around in the metro today on our way to the Pantheon. Seems the route we selected put us onto the RER B. That’s the train out of the city and we learned our metro tickets didn’t work – and to get working ones it would cost over 10€ each. For 2 stops…..
So we redirected our efforts and headed to the Bois. We can do the Pantheon tomorrow. We backtracked some to do that but came up out of the metro in sight of L’Arc de Triomphe, hidden by a large construction project. We walked to the NE corner of the Bois and continued onward towards La Vigne de Paris-Bagatelle estate. It took a while!! But once there the flowers were beautiful. We saw roses, clematis and an enormous array of blooming peonies. There were peacocks doing a lot of squawking.
We walked out and before getting back on the metro we stopped for lunch near Pont de Neuilly. While on the train, a pack of young girls got on, maybe 10 or so, all chatting and pressing together. One asked me if the train stopped at L’Opera. I said to look at the board but I didn’t think so. They travelled one stop and got off. When the girl I spoke with departed, she pointed to the floor. My wallet was there. I was surprised!!! And the man behind us said to be careful of pickpockets. We got off the train and I checked my wallet and the cash was intact and I had no credit cards in it. It was fine. But we learned when we got back to the hotel that we indeed had met with pickpockets…. My wallet likely was picked and put on the floor of the train as the girl next to me may have said to the others, leave it alone. Maybe because I was nice to her??? But Thom who normally zips his cash into a pocket had left the zipper undone. We learned when we got back to the hotel that his cash was gone. About 40€. I guess it could have been worse, he could have had all the cash!!! It’s a good thingk we split the cash between us.
MAY 19, 2018
Even with a late start, after noon, we still seem to rack up long walking days. We metroed with no u-turns today over to the Pantheon. Thom hadn’t been so we paid our entry and went in. I’d forgotten about the pendulum which is always fun. We saw it get reset at one point as the arc was very short. Seems they keep adding folks to the crypt!!! I didn’t recognize the adds in the last 20 years but I did say hello to Victor Hugo and a few others. It’s not at all a creepy place, and it’s nice to see the vaults still have lots of room!
We headed off after seeing the Pantheon and ended up walking through the gardens of the Palais du Luxembourg. Lots of people out just enjoying the sun and lots of children “sailing” the little boats in the pond. There was a good breeze so there was actual sailing going on. Saw a crash!!! They just tip and bounce around. It was great fun.
It was then walkabout time again as we wandered in search of lunch. Though it became a more robust almost dinner meal by the time we sat down at nearly 5. Even when having breakfast at 10, 5pm is a long time to wait!! We found our onion soup gratinée! And I had a spritz…. We see them everywhere in the afternoons and it was dinner, after all.
Back to the flat in a round about way and passed some parks with games going on. Got a really good view of Mr Eiffel’s contribution to the city! Dinner and a movie, was some eggs and fresh asparagus!
Tomorrow we go to Avignon for 6 days. It should be a bit warmer there though the beautiful sunny days have been great. These European cities like the sun!!! All green spaces are covered with people and moving children in the afternoons. Today was no exception and being a Saturday the sidewalks were full and the cafes bursting with good cheer!