PARIS

First stop - Place de la Concorde. The place where the revolutionist hung many, including Marie Antionette, now stands an Egyptian obelesk, with awesome views. I then walked to the Musee de l'Orangerie to see Monet's water lilies as well as other impressionist artists. It was heaven...

MAY 11 - DAY 1
Girl Wandering Paris Alone

I flew in a day before my tour began and took a shuttle to the Hotel Saint-Louis Bastille (the hotel our tour group would also be staying in). Dropped my luggage in my room, freshened up, and was off to see the city!
So excited to be back in the city of light. I still do not speak French, but learned a few catch phrases. I want to see everything I missed last time... Get ready Paris - here I come!

First I found the closest Metro, mapped out my route, bought a Metro ticket and tried my luck reading maps. Of course - I went the wrong way my first try - but as soon as I realized we were not going the way I wanted, I hopped off, and was on the right track in no time.

After the awe of Monet's "Nympheas," I strolled down the Champs Elysees, stopping for a bite and glass of wine. Starting to feel the jet-leg, but knowing it best to stay awake the first day, I continue on my way to find sites I haven't seen yet & the thrill of Paris keeps me going.

I head to the Arch de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon, to see the tomb of the unknown soldier & eternal flame. It was magnificent. I climb the 284 steps up to the top (legs were hurting) but views were rewarding to say the least! I snapped a dozen or so pictures of the views, the Eiffel tower, and the traffic leading up to the Arch. It was very windy - so I braved the 284 steps back down!

My next stop was the Eiffel tower. I did not go up the tower my last time in Paris, so I did not want to miss it this time around. I recalled this area from my last stay in the Rue Cler neighborhood and knew it wasn't a far walk - so continued on foot to my next destination. I bought some postcards on my way and started snapping pictures as soon as I approached. The line to go up was long, so I wrote out my postcards while waiting & had them postmarked and mailed from the Eiffel Tower's post office. I went up to the second & first levels of the tower and saw the magic of Paris. Again, it is very windy. Love the Eiffel Tower!!
On my way down, I twisted my knee wrong (yikes! - never had any knee problems before, and now we lovingly call it my Eiffel knee). I was a little worried it being my first day that it would affect my trip - but anyone who knows me knows I do not want to miss anything on my trips.

I found Bus 69 mentioned in Rick's guide book & took a scenic/packed ride back to my neighborhood. I found my way back to the hotel about 7pm, cleaned up & crashed for the night!

Unfortunately, somehow, I lost most of my pictures from this first day while trying to rename & save them to a folder in the memory card - by the time I realized it wrote over my pictures, it was too late (will never do that again) - so I only have a few to show for all my Day 1 site seeing - but I have my memories!!!

MAY 12 - DAY 2
Saturday

After checking out of my room & checking my bags until later check-in with my RS roommate - I took a short metro ride to the Pere LaChaise cemetary. It is huge. I followed Rick's guidebook to find Chopin, Oscar Wilde & Jim Morrison's grave sites (among others).

(Right) A peaceful muse sits atop Chopin's grave marker.

(Far Right) Oscar Wilde's was covered with kisses from enthusiasts showing their adoration.

(Left) Jim Morrison's (the lizard king) grave was unassuming, but sought out by many!

Sometime after noon, I checked back into Hotel Saint-Louis Bastille & met my R.S. roommate, Judy. I freshened up & went back out into our Oberkempf neighborhood. I walked up the boulevard to find a spot to catch up in my journal until it was time to meet the group. I wrote for a while, had a bite to eat, did some people watching, then headed back to the hotel.

We met downstairs. 24 eager tour members. Daniella, our tour guide & Mary, the assistant guide. Click on "Buddies" to meet everyone. Daniela is from Munich, currently living in Avignon with her American husband. Mary is a Rick Steves tour diva from Seattle who is engaged to a French baker with possible plans to move to France in the future. They were a power team who were cute to boot!

(Left) View down Seine at Conciergie & several bridges

(Right) Me in front of Notre Dame

(Below) The famous gargoyle & Rose window in Notre Dame (below right)

After intros, Daniela took us on a walking tour past the Hotel DeVille (city hall), on to Notre Dame.

As we entered the cathedral (what I call a work of art), a service was just getting under way! The choir was singing, the priest lead the service - I am not catholic, but I watched for a bit before heading back outside. While standing out front, the bells of Notre Dame began to ring. I tried to soak every second up.
We ate together at a trendy restaurant - delicious lamb, artichoke, blueberry icecream with apricot & the perfect wine... YUM!!!