Paris The City of Romance

Paris was a longtime dream of mine to visit the city of romance and love and I was not disappointed. The only thing I would change at the next visit is to Paris, my destination, rather than a small part of a European vacation. The history and architecture and shopping is too much to absorb in a few days.

My friends and I traveled from Switzerland. The train station in Paris was brilliant, animated, agitated, and even music with small groups of musicians playing in various cafes located around the station. The view outside surrounding the place was a mixture of old and new architecture.

We took the time to have the French croissants in a cafe before getting a taxi to our "pension" in the Latin Quarter. The transport rates were reasonable and the taxi driver very friendly even though he had very little English. But it was okay because we had very little French! One of my friends from Vancouver, Canada will join us at the hotel. He had lived in Paris as a student and knew his way through the Latin Quarter very well.

The hotel was a short walk of 6 ground-up. A small entrance and the lobby was filled with bags of arrivals and departures, and receiving only a cut window in the wall. A young woman speaks French, but quickly switched quickly to speak fluent English when she heard my feeble attempt the local language. It turned out it was originally transplanted from New York City!

We got our room and began the journey to the tiny spiral staircase to the floor immediately. The first day was an agony, but after a week of making the stairs a half-dozen times a day, we were in very good shape! Our room was small but comfortable. After setting, we connected with my other friend and we took him to a local market, just around the corner. We've bought a little red wine and cheese before you go in another direction for croissants. Who would be part of our staple diet for the next few days.

The most pleasant stay in the Quartier Latin is that it is so close to many well-known sites such as the Louvre and Notre Dame. It is also close to catch a Hop-On / Hop-Off double decker bus, which takes you easily to other famous structures like the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe or the Paris Opera. A 2-day pass is very reasonable and you can use from early morning until nightfall.

The first evening we found a wonderful restaurant serving Turkish cuisine. The Latin Quarter has a very eclectic selection of food at a reasonable cost if you take the time to look around. We turned in early that we had a whole day.

Our accommodation included a traditional French breakfast every day. The next morning, we joined other passengers where breakfast is served in a small room behind the desk. The meal includes coffee or thick hot chocolate, rolls, jam, cheese, and usually a little fruit. The fact that we tipped the cook in the morning the first day of our stay was a long way. She is careful to look after all the time, which was not the case for many other travelers. Wages are not high and if, as in many countries, they really depend on their tips.

There was also a refrigerator and stove available to customers, so we wanted to make our own meals in the evening. A coin operated washer and dryer for guest use has also been a welcome surprise.
There were so many things to see and do in Paris, we quickly decided that the premises were on our priority lists. I need a day in contact with one of my friends that I knew from Mexico who was now married and living in the city. This is my chance to travel on the Paris Metro by myself. I wanted to go to the Louvre and my plan was to see the Mona Lisa. Unfortunately, it will await the return of my visit. There just was not enough time, although I did of course turn around the building.

I also wanted to go to the Eiffel Tower, I have done. What a superb view of Paris from above! Some people were disappointed by the tour for different reasons. It was not as great as they thought it would. They had to wait in long queues. It was hot and stuffy in the massive elevators that took us to different levels. I thought it was wonderful experiencing one of our international icons and since I am a romantic, I would not miss for anything. For the more adventurous can climb the stairs to the first platform.

We took an unexpected turn and self-guided tour of the Paris Opera. It was normally closed to the public except during performances. We happened to be there when the city decided to open the constitution. It was magnificent!

Another place to visit is Montmartre. Climbing the stairs of the basilica of Sacre-Coeur is well worth the trip. During the 19th and 20th centuries it was the best place to paint in Paris for artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec. It continued as a small picturesque village and is popular for its restaurants.

If you plan to visit Paris, to the city of your destination, not just a small part of your vacation in Europe. You will not be disappointed.