We checked out at noon and caught a taxi to the train station. It was quite uneventful. The train ride was about 2 ½ hours and we were served lunch on the train. Paris is one hour ahead of London and on the same time as Norway.
We caught a taxi to the hotel. Our taxi driver spoke a little bit of English. Oystein had to have him stop at an ATM to get some Euros so we could pay him. We unloaded the taxi and the kids and I got the baggage in the hotel while Oystein paid the driver. Oystein came in and I said “Do you have my backpack?” “No,” was the reply. My heart started pounding faster. It was left in the cab. I kept thinking to myself “It’s just things, it’s not eternal,” though I confess I wanted to cry.
The receptionist at the hotel called the cab company but they said we would have to call again in the morning as they didn’t have a way to get hold of the taxi driver that night. My backpack is my carry on for the airport and we use it for our day trips. It had my Bible in it, some souvenir books we bought and all three of our cameras in it as well as a few other items. I took a deep breath and remained calm. A few minutes later the driver came back with my backpack. I said “Merci” several times and Oystein gave him another nice tip.
We got checked into our hotel. The elevator (it’s called a lift in Europe) is tiny and it took three trips up it to get all our suitcases. The room we have actually has two rooms in it so the kids are in one room and we are in the other. It’s not as spacious as the room in London but it’s bigger than we expected it to be.
After getting a few things put away we walked to find a place to eat. We ate lightly since we had a late lunch on the train and picked up pastries to have back at the hotel. Nathan and I had chocolate éclairs, Alex had an éclair that looked like it was maple and Oystein had an apple tart. Alex didn’t like the éclair but the rest of us liked everything.
Alex didn’t get hives today. We allowed milk products but limited it a bit.
Observations: My first impression of Paris was it is dirtier than London. The first areas we drove past had quite a bit of graffiti. Paris is even older then London which accounts some for its dirtiness. As we kept driving the areas looked neater. Our hotel seems to be in a pretty central location and so far it’s been quiet. Our room overlooks a courtyard.
The roads in Paris seem even narrower than London. In general, everything feels closer together so far. However, we have only been from the train to the hotel so it will be interesting to see what impressions we get tomorrow.
I am finding myself feeling a bit stressed. I think we are go, go, go too much and are expecting too much. Oystein and I talked about it and decided that we would take Paris more easily than London choosing one thing to do every day and not worrying about what we don’t do. Tomorrow our plan is the Eiffel Tower. Oystein is researching the internet for ideas for Sat. and Sun.
Scenery:
3 comments:
My cousin and his family live somewhere outside of Paris :)
That is awesome that the driver brought your backpack back. I agree they are just earthly things but still heartbreaking to think they might have been gone!
Rachel,
I thought the smae thing about Paris when I was there....it was like a bad part of downtown Seattle with the Eiffel Tower. I can;t wait to hear what you thought about the elevator on the Eiffel Tower....
Carrie,
Interesting. When were you in Paris? Any tips for our last couple of days? I don't think I wrote about the elevator. Hmm...I'll have to think about it.
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