Welcome to the first posting our our Paris/Amsterdam trip blog.
We will try to update the spot daily. The girls want to each take turns. Is this the high tech version of the "mini-books"?
The trip over was pretty smooth. Both flights on time and smooth. Of course the girls loved being spoiled by the flight attendants and they both had ice cream twice! We managed to get some sleep on the JFK-CDG leg.
The airport here is undergoing a lot of construction, so it was a bit crazy-crowded. An Air India plane had just landed from Mumbai...so as you can imagine the baggage claim was a bit congested! Emily was intrigued with the concept of Air India.
After getting luggage and some Euros from the ATM we went out to the curb...were approached by a man, "need a taxi"? We followed him and waited with him by the curb for about 10 minutes before Deb realized this is probably a high priced scam of sorts (a lot of legit taxis were passing us by). He had quoted us 70Euros...we said no thanks and headed back to what we now saw as a taxi stand. The ride into Paris (only 55Euros) was quick and our Vietnamese driver very happy to give a mini tour and talk to Marc in French. It was raining and chilly (18 C...that's about 66 F).
We went to the hotel to collect our key (very complicated key, so we had a little trouble opening and finding the door), but we found our little apartment on rue de la Montagne Ste. Genevieve and managed to get inside. It's right in the heart of the 5th and seems very well located to shops etc. It is literally 20 steps from the Pantheon (I didn't realize that this is where a lot of famous people are entombed?). The apartment is adorable. It has one bedroom and two baths. The appliances and fixtures are really nice and modern. The decor beautiful. There is a loft that has a queen sized bed (maybe the girls will sleep here?). There is a couch in the living room that folds out too. We have already done a mini (4 items) load of laundry (necessary due to Sarah's little upset on the airplane).
After playing a bit we went across the street for a late lunch..but for us it was more time for breakfast....Deb thinks. Sarah and Deb had soup and Emily had ratatouille. Marc had a salad and some grilled poulet. Yummy bread. Deb thinks she had a whole loaf. We had to remember that they don't bring the check unless you request it (and we were were hesitant to ask for it because by the time we were ready for it, the wait staff was all sitting down having their lunch) and that service is included. We have a learning curve.
Now it is raining. Really raining. And cold.
We go back home (across the street) and somehow all fall asleep. Sarah falls asleep after finishing HP6, which we bought at JFK (good thing, two books for the flights would not have been sufficient). We wake up at about 7pm...not sure if it's day or night...
Marc goes out in the rain to get some rations (rue Kehei anyone?). A lot of stores, markets and every ethnic food imaginable. We decide NOT to go to the Lebanese restaurant down the hill. Marc brings back fruit, cheeses, crackers, bread and eggs. Our dinner couldn't have been better....eggs (sorry El), cheese, toast and crackers. Fruit for dessert.
The rest of the evening is spent playing Midgets in Paris (Em and Sarah) and reading (Marc and Deb). The apartment has the most incredible collection of books (Paris travel, Paris food, Paris history etc.) and a complete copy of Lord of the Rings. We are set for the week.
Check back tomorrow!
xoxoxo
We will try to update the spot daily. The girls want to each take turns. Is this the high tech version of the "mini-books"?
The trip over was pretty smooth. Both flights on time and smooth. Of course the girls loved being spoiled by the flight attendants and they both had ice cream twice! We managed to get some sleep on the JFK-CDG leg.
The airport here is undergoing a lot of construction, so it was a bit crazy-crowded. An Air India plane had just landed from Mumbai...so as you can imagine the baggage claim was a bit congested! Emily was intrigued with the concept of Air India.
After getting luggage and some Euros from the ATM we went out to the curb...were approached by a man, "need a taxi"? We followed him and waited with him by the curb for about 10 minutes before Deb realized this is probably a high priced scam of sorts (a lot of legit taxis were passing us by). He had quoted us 70Euros...we said no thanks and headed back to what we now saw as a taxi stand. The ride into Paris (only 55Euros) was quick and our Vietnamese driver very happy to give a mini tour and talk to Marc in French. It was raining and chilly (18 C...that's about 66 F).
We went to the hotel to collect our key (very complicated key, so we had a little trouble opening and finding the door), but we found our little apartment on rue de la Montagne Ste. Genevieve and managed to get inside. It's right in the heart of the 5th and seems very well located to shops etc. It is literally 20 steps from the Pantheon (I didn't realize that this is where a lot of famous people are entombed?). The apartment is adorable. It has one bedroom and two baths. The appliances and fixtures are really nice and modern. The decor beautiful. There is a loft that has a queen sized bed (maybe the girls will sleep here?). There is a couch in the living room that folds out too. We have already done a mini (4 items) load of laundry (necessary due to Sarah's little upset on the airplane).
After playing a bit we went across the street for a late lunch..but for us it was more time for breakfast....Deb thinks. Sarah and Deb had soup and Emily had ratatouille. Marc had a salad and some grilled poulet. Yummy bread. Deb thinks she had a whole loaf. We had to remember that they don't bring the check unless you request it (and we were were hesitant to ask for it because by the time we were ready for it, the wait staff was all sitting down having their lunch) and that service is included. We have a learning curve.
Now it is raining. Really raining. And cold.
We go back home (across the street) and somehow all fall asleep. Sarah falls asleep after finishing HP6, which we bought at JFK (good thing, two books for the flights would not have been sufficient). We wake up at about 7pm...not sure if it's day or night...
Marc goes out in the rain to get some rations (rue Kehei anyone?). A lot of stores, markets and every ethnic food imaginable. We decide NOT to go to the Lebanese restaurant down the hill. Marc brings back fruit, cheeses, crackers, bread and eggs. Our dinner couldn't have been better....eggs (sorry El), cheese, toast and crackers. Fruit for dessert.
The rest of the evening is spent playing Midgets in Paris (Em and Sarah) and reading (Marc and Deb). The apartment has the most incredible collection of books (Paris travel, Paris food, Paris history etc.) and a complete copy of Lord of the Rings. We are set for the week.
Check back tomorrow!
xoxoxo
posted by csmcid at 1:13 PM
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