One thing that’s so cool—you open a massive door of a building and instead of going inside you are in a courtyard. Surprising and beautiful.
As I got close to the Tower, I could finally see it, but not all of it, the clouds were too low, it was misty raining and very grey. I walked through a little park across the street and saw one of my favorite sculptures. The Dance Triumphant. It was Athena after she vanquished the giants (at least translating using my Latiny French). She was gold and had a sword, shield, and helmet—and she was dancing. I loved it. Loved it.
I’d always pictured the Eiffel Tower as being surrounded by cafes and boulevards and people, but actually it’s set apart. There are beautiful grounds surrounding it on one side, on the other side is the Seine. It cost €10.40 to go all the way to the top, and less if you wanted to stop at the other stages instead. Of course I wanted to go to the top. Just like at the Empire State Building you had to change lifts a few times to get to the top. I took lots of pictures….but at the top all you saw was mist/clouds/grey nothing. So I took a picture of that too.
The only rude people I met were tour guides, determined that their groups not be separated.
Had a late breakfast on stage one of the Tower, coffee and a chocolate crepe. After I finished I walked along the Seine. Lovely. Even though my feet hurt I wanted to go back to the hotel by a different route. Went up to a guy and said, “Sil vous plait. Avenue George Sinc?” He said Oui. I just wanted to ask a question without using English. I know I spelled things wrong, but I said it right. I do know lots more French than I realized, can’t speak it certainly, but I can read it pretty well because of taking Latin.
Walking along Avenue George V was so cool. The Four Seasons Hotel, Louis Vuitton, Prince de Galles Hotel, Hermes, Armani, this was Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive rolled into one big French experience. Stopped at a restaurant for my last lunch. On the Champs Elysees at Publics Drugstore. Yep, that’s the title, but it’s very French, expensive, and tasty. Ordered vegetarian lasagne and white wine. And of course it came with a salad and hard rolls. The lasagne was made with aubergine and was tasty.
Good thing about France, you never have to ask for bread, plus coffee is great and tipping is only 10% and then only if service is good. How sensible.
Madame Dufresne. I love that my name (ex-husband’s name actually) is French and I fit in here in that respect anyway. My name fits, but my hips don’t. Public bathrooms are teeny-tiny and getting to your table in a restaurant can be a real adventure. In order not to disturb others I have to twist and turn in what I call the “big butt dance.” To celebrate the success of my dance at this restaurant, I ordered a crème brulee for dessert. They gave two very small ones—one vanilla and one coffee, plus coffee to drink. Okay, no dinner tonight but that’s okay, it’s worth it. Back on my healthy eating plan tomorrow.
I don’t expect the same food in Copenhagen next weekend. It will probably be even better since I will eat at my daughter-in-law’s family home. My d-i-l spoiled me so much when I visited her and Rob in Japan. I really love her and am so happy Beata and Rob got married.
Forgot to say that something bad about Paris is there is TOO MUCH SMOKING. Several places do have non-smoking sections now, so that’s something anyway.
After lunch went back to my hotel and waited in the lobby until it was time to catch my bus back to the airport. At Charles de Gaulle the plane was an hour and a half late because there were so many storms in Manchester—including hail. I was so tired I almost got on the wrong plane, luckily the gate agent caught me.
It felt great to get home. I had forgotten that yesterday was Mother’s Day. At home I found a voice mail from Jill, emails from Rob and Beata (from an Internet café in Poland), cards from Rob and Beata, Jill, and Kayla and Hunter. What a wonderful way to be welcomed home.
Back to work tomorrow.
posted by Jerilyn Dufresne, author @ 16:06
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