Paris in the springtime!

The trees are turning green, the sun is shining, couples are hanging out along the Seine - yes, it's spring in Paris. I arrived here Thursday morning...via Cincinnati. Of all the things I wanted to get done before I left, buying a guide book was one that I failed to complete. Once I arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport I had to find my way to Paris and the apartment that my friends Byron and Glenn rented. At this point I realized that I should have paid attention in my college freshman French class. I tried in vain to figure out how to get to Paris, but to no avail...I ended up getting directions at the info booth. They told me to get on the free train, get off, buy a ticket, get back on another train, etc, etc. Seemed like a lot to do...so when it was time to get off the train, I was met with an onslaught of boarding passengers and I couldn't get off. Instead I took a wait and see approach. Finally I arrived at (one of) the main metro stops where everyone else got off. I followed them and realized that I had to switch lines. Then I was given two options: buy a ticket and walk through the turnstile, or just walk through an open gate that everyone else was walking through...I choose the latter option. Once I got to my destination (Ile de la Cile) I calculated that I had saved 8 euros. Now I could eat!

Now as I write this I am sitting at Le Petit Plateau - across from Notre Dame and Ile Saint Louis - drinking a much anticipated glass of red wine...it's currently 7:10 a.m. DC time....it's a little early for wine in DC, but just the right time in Paris.

Here are my early observations and thoughts: on the train/metro ride here I noticed a NYC-amount of graffiti along the rails. Also, not having a guide book, I had no idea which way to go to find the apartment - all I had was the address and a Metro map. I knew that the apartment was on Ile de la Cile, which limited how lost I could get!

After eating (I've ordered a quiche and 3-cheese plate) I have to find a place to drop my bag since I don't have a key and then get to Musee d'Orsay by 5 p.m. to meet Byron and Glenn.

Ahh! Lunch is served! Excuse me while I eat....

pause...
chew...
swallow...

ok...yes french food is quite good! (understatement, yes, I know) A vegetable quiche followed by 3 small but delicious cheeses. The quiche was larger than what is typically served in the States and came with a very fresh salad - simple but delicious. In total, a glass of red, a quiche and salad, 3 cheeses and bread...all for 11 euros, or $20 including "tip". But, hey, the waitress gets 12 weeks vacation, so it's worth it!