Mesdames, Messieurs, you are seeing me take one of my first breaths of Parisian air, and of course it is occurring directly in front of the famous Paris Opera House...couldn't find the Phantom anywhere, but I felt him, yes, he was there.
Waking up at 5:30am, I made my sleepy way to the Zurich main station, exchanged some CHF for Euros, got on the train, and by 6:50am was on the way to Paris, nothing stopping me. I couldn't really sleep because I was too excited, but thankfully they served "cafe," and I was alright when we pulled into the Gare de l'Est at 11:34am. I had purchased a day pass for the Paris metro when I bought my train ticket, and I was so glad for this when I saw the line for them at the station. I found the sign for the number 7 in the direction of the Opera house, and followed the arrows. The Paris metro is just like the New York subways- just as crowded, just as many crazies, and just as important to be on the right side of the tracks:) I didn't get lost though, and the sortie led directly up to the magnificent Opera House. If only I had the time and money to see a matinee...
Nearby was the Fragonard Museum of Perfume, which was free! There was already a tour in progress in English, so I joined in, smelled some beautiful aromas, and enjoyed the Napolean III style town house and decor. Also near the Opera House were the Galleries Lafayette, very famous shopping in Paris. This was a quick stop because even the "sales" were too pricey, and I had things to see...
The metro is what made it possible for me to even attempt all this in one day. I had studied the map the night before so that I did not waste any time consulting it in the midst of a bustling city. Now it was 1:30ish, I was on my way past the Tuilleries, and onto the Champs Elysees. Just before my stroll down this lovely street, I met a couple from Chicago, and we did a photo taking swap. That was the pic I posted on Wednesday night with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
One of the places I stopped along the Champs Elysees was Sephora. I know it's in the US too, but there was just something about being in the one in Paris...ahh, still can't believe I was there.
I really did feel triumphant at the Arc de Triomphe, mainly because I hadn't gotten lost yet. It's too bad the sky wasn't more bleu. Have I mentioned it was FREEZING? I found a little drugstore to buy some food, and I ate it as I walked to find the next metro entrance, which I hoped would take me to the Eiffel Tower.
Alas, the station I needed was under construction, so I had to open the map to find another option. Bad idea: alone girl+map=magnet. Sure enough, some man tried to offer his assistance. I don't know a lot of French, but I know when someone is trying to get me to come to his house. Non merci! I had to end up taking the number 1 to meet the number 6, which goes above ground past the Tower, and this had to suffice. Not feeling quite so triumphant at this point, but I couldn't waste any more precious time.
I took the metro to the Louvre. Deciding not to wait in the long queue for entrance (how could I possibly see everything in one day, and it would have been too tempting once in there), I admired the architecture from the outside. It is such a massive place, I had never realized. After truly being struck by its grandeur, I walked a ways along the River Seine, knowing I was headed toward Notre Dame, not knowing it would be even more grand than I could expect. Several famous and historical places I passed and took photos, but I haven't posted them. Maybe I will one day, but in the meantime, you should all go see for yourself.
There are so many pictures I could have posted of Notre Dame, but here is one of my favorites. I sat in a cafe not five feet away. I promised I would for Lale (this was her number one recommendation), and I had a coffee and chocolate to warm myself. I also made a boyfriend named Tony (the garcon). He told me to come back at closing (10pm). Too bad, my train was to leave at 6pm. But he told me to watch for him- he's coming to Texas:)
Closer than I thought was the Latin Quarter, where the great students and thinkers like Renee Descartes did some serious thinking. This area was very quaint, and I wandered to an old park with cute little fountains and benches to do some of my own thinking.
I liked this quarter because it wasn't as touristy as some of the other places. There were many boulangeries and restaurants, where the locals have dinner and socialize. I could have lost myself in a fantasy about what it would be like to live in Paris, but I looked at the clock, and YIKES! I needed to head back to the Gare.
Ambitious me, I opted to walk as much as I could to see as much as I could instead of using up the last hour underground, but I really had to hustle. I must have looked like I knew where I was going because people kept stopping me for directions, but the truth was, I was just making guesses and following the ambiguous signs (you can never tell where the arrows are actually pointing...)
...so I used the metro for a few stops because I knew the number 7 connected to the Gare de l'Est, and there I was with enough time to grab a quick snack before boarding the train to Zurich. Whew!
Nearby was the Fragonard Museum of Perfume, which was free! There was already a tour in progress in English, so I joined in, smelled some beautiful aromas, and enjoyed the Napolean III style town house and decor. Also near the Opera House were the Galleries Lafayette, very famous shopping in Paris. This was a quick stop because even the "sales" were too pricey, and I had things to see...
like this accordion player on the metro. Perfect.
The metro is what made it possible for me to even attempt all this in one day. I had studied the map the night before so that I did not waste any time consulting it in the midst of a bustling city. Now it was 1:30ish, I was on my way past the Tuilleries, and onto the Champs Elysees. Just before my stroll down this lovely street, I met a couple from Chicago, and we did a photo taking swap. That was the pic I posted on Wednesday night with the Eiffel Tower in the background. 
One of the places I stopped along the Champs Elysees was Sephora. I know it's in the US too, but there was just something about being in the one in Paris...ahh, still can't believe I was there.
I really did feel triumphant at the Arc de Triomphe, mainly because I hadn't gotten lost yet. It's too bad the sky wasn't more bleu. Have I mentioned it was FREEZING? I found a little drugstore to buy some food, and I ate it as I walked to find the next metro entrance, which I hoped would take me to the Eiffel Tower.
Alas, the station I needed was under construction, so I had to open the map to find another option. Bad idea: alone girl+map=magnet. Sure enough, some man tried to offer his assistance. I don't know a lot of French, but I know when someone is trying to get me to come to his house. Non merci! I had to end up taking the number 1 to meet the number 6, which goes above ground past the Tower, and this had to suffice. Not feeling quite so triumphant at this point, but I couldn't waste any more precious time.
I took the metro to the Louvre. Deciding not to wait in the long queue for entrance (how could I possibly see everything in one day, and it would have been too tempting once in there), I admired the architecture from the outside. It is such a massive place, I had never realized. After truly being struck by its grandeur, I walked a ways along the River Seine, knowing I was headed toward Notre Dame, not knowing it would be even more grand than I could expect. Several famous and historical places I passed and took photos, but I haven't posted them. Maybe I will one day, but in the meantime, you should all go see for yourself.
There are so many pictures I could have posted of Notre Dame, but here is one of my favorites. I sat in a cafe not five feet away. I promised I would for Lale (this was her number one recommendation), and I had a coffee and chocolate to warm myself. I also made a boyfriend named Tony (the garcon). He told me to come back at closing (10pm). Too bad, my train was to leave at 6pm. But he told me to watch for him- he's coming to Texas:)
Closer than I thought was the Latin Quarter, where the great students and thinkers like Renee Descartes did some serious thinking. This area was very quaint, and I wandered to an old park with cute little fountains and benches to do some of my own thinking.
I liked this quarter because it wasn't as touristy as some of the other places. There were many boulangeries and restaurants, where the locals have dinner and socialize. I could have lost myself in a fantasy about what it would be like to live in Paris, but I looked at the clock, and YIKES! I needed to head back to the Gare. 
Ambitious me, I opted to walk as much as I could to see as much as I could instead of using up the last hour underground, but I really had to hustle. I must have looked like I knew where I was going because people kept stopping me for directions, but the truth was, I was just making guesses and following the ambiguous signs (you can never tell where the arrows are actually pointing...)
...so I used the metro for a few stops because I knew the number 7 connected to the Gare de l'Est, and there I was with enough time to grab a quick snack before boarding the train to Zurich. Whew!
un
deux
trois
zzzzzzzzzzz
Never been so happily tired in my life
