Paris: Day 1

Bonjour de Paris mes amis!

A Forward:

I am writing this blog for several reasons: first, to keep my family and friends abreast of all my activities while I am living abroad in France for the next three months. Secondly, I want to share my insights and newfound knowledge of Paris and France with others to help them when, and if, they choose to travel here. Following my last point, thirdly, I want to take this opportunity to launch my new travel agency – TRIPS! BY BRAD. Fourthly, I need to share my cynical sense of humor with someone in English. Because I depend on my sense of humor so much, I am afraid it will be the most difficult thing to translate into French. Finally, I’m hoping to make millions by writing a travel book (or several), hosting a travel show, having a reality show, etc. Share this with everyone you know!


Saturday, March 21, 2009: Today I landed in Paris, France! I was able to fly first class direct from Cincinnati to Paris on Delta flight 44. I had a reclining seat, three course meal, and as much wine and champagne as I wanted! The airport was pretty simple. Customs was easy although the line was long. They didn't stamp my passport :(

So then I took the RER regional train to Paris. The cost was 8E40 and the metro machines only take coins! Luckily there was a change machine nearby. The train ride was pretty simple but it took probably 45mins.

I exited the train at Chatlet-Les Halles, but that was not the correct exit. I also did not have hostel reservations so I found an internet cafe to look up an address for the MIJE. Once I found out where I was, I figured I could walk there with all my bags. This was a huge mistake. I hated it!

So I was walking along the Seine with my suitcases and finally decided to get a taxi, luckily it was a Mercedes! I gave him the address and we were on our way. I've only spoken French the whole time as well.

So the taxi cost 6E. But once I got to the MIJE, I learned that they were closed on Saturdays. FML! So then I got another taxi (not a Mercedes) and went to the hostel where I had reservations starting on Tuesday with the rest of my friends. It's the Oops-Paris on Ave les Gobelins in the Latin Quarter, costing 25E/night. (I exchanged 300E – $440 or so – at the airport 5th/3rd before leaving.)

But I thought the address was 5 Ave les Gobelins so that is where I had the taxi drop me off. Well that address is a residence that I attempted to enter. So finally I noticed an Orange store - our French cell phone provider - a few doors down. I went there and they only spoke French but I did well asking to use the internet. I looked up the correct address then and proceeded to activate my cell phone, buying a SIM card and 50E worth of minutes on my credit card for 80E.

So then I dragged my bags the two blocks to the hostel. Finally there, I still did not have a reservation so they told me to make one on their internet so I got the cheaper internet rate, saving me 5E/night. (FYI: for some reason, French toilets are much smaller than their America counterparts. Insert your own story here as to why I included that little tidbit).

So then I felt my bags because I could not check in until 4pm. I walked down Ave les Gobelines in the Latin Quarter to Rue Mouffetard where there are little shops and markets selling anything from apples, oranges, and wine to scarves and postcards. I sat at my first café and had a coffee (café en France). Then I sat by McDonald’s and used their wifi service to Skype home for the first time. Right now there is a five-hour time difference between France and Eastern Standard Time.

I just wondered the neighborhood. I passed Place St-Genevieve and Ecole Henri IV (a high school) and found the Pantheon. Admission was 5E. Inside is very interesting. It was built as a non-secular burial crypt for some France’s most famous citizens like Victor Hugo and Braille, among others. There is also a pendulum hanging from the ceiling that keeps time as the Earth rotates. When I walked out of the Pantheon was when I got my first glimpse of La Tour Eiffel.
I sat on the steps for almost a half hour just watching people before walking back down Rue Mouffetard and then back to the hostel.

I bought a crepe avec Noutella for diner. I was able to check-in and finally put my bags in my room. Then I got on the internet for my first contact with the rest of the world for almost 24 hours – 23 hours too long, in my opinion.

So then I wrote in my journal, en Francis, for my first time about my day. I went to bed at about 9pm or so, 4pm EST.

(Google any proper noun that you are unfamiliar with)