BadPopcorn » Paris: Impressions

Paris: Impressions

Written by Ben on May 19, 2006 |

I type this on my host’s French keyboard, which is NOT your standard US QWERTY. Thus, this post will be short and terse since I’ve been hitting the backspace key way too much.

I arrived at de Gaule Airport at nine in the morning. I barely slept on the flight, which amounted to about four hours of sleep for the past 30 hours. I was practically waved through customs and bypassed baggage claim (backpack was carry-on). I unfortunately was lost trying to get to the RER metroline and had spent an hour in line for an RER pass (didn’t feel confident zith the automated ticket machines).

I had to throw my luggage into a locker at the Paris Nord station and kill five hours before heading to my host’s place (he was at work). I spent that time walking from Notre Dame to St. Michel; through the Latin District; through church parks; to the Louvre; then to a gallery district. Then it was off to the RER out of the city to my host’s place.

I GOT LOST and spent 45 minutes hiking, carrying a heavy backpack, around a Paris burb trying to find the place. I got there just in time to head back to the Paris center for the Couch Surfing meetup (didn’t have to drive, a bouns). Didn’t get to sleep untill two in the morning, but the meetup was completely worth it (very cool people, both locals and foreigners).

I was dead this morning (day 2), but it too passed. Walked around Paris with three other surfers. The highlights were finding a pastry shop Eric recommended– very good by the way– and spending time in the Louvre. It was interesting to see a Louvre visitor get kicked out for taking a picture of the Mona Lisa.

All pictures and video to be posted later.

Paris Rail System: not as good as Tokyo; requires one to press a button to open the car doors; confusing signs pointing to lines and transfers.

Peace out. I’m off to eat cheese I bought in Paris and off to play pool.

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