Day 2: Settling into Parisian Life

We arrived at CDG airport in Paris at 8:00AM. While waiting for our luggage, I got to gorge myself on the sight of fashionable Parisians, wearing boots, leggings, layers of necklaces, scarves, and gorgeous overcoats. We caught the shuttle to the train terminal, stood in line for what seemed like forever for RER tickets, and finally got on the train headed for Paris proper.

Tired, we got to the metro stop near our apartment and recommended by our rental place. But we were an hour or so late in arriving and could not find Giovanni (the landlord) anywhere and instead had to search high and low for a phone to call him. Eventually we called home because we were having trouble making local calls, and Celeste called Giovanni to tell him we were waiting outside the apartment building.

He met us outside and showed us up the creaky stairs – two flights – to our apartment. It
was a one-room place, with a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a very clean shower (!). He
gave me the keys, I gave him a security deposit, and we were left alone to relax and regroup.
Since we were exhausted, we decided to explore the local scene on Rue Montorgeuil. On that charming street are bakeries, fromageries, poissoneries, a supermarché, and several cafés. It was very lively, mostly populated by Parisians who do not speak much English.We bought quiche (Mommy had quiche lorraine and I had saumon) and café au lait for a light dinner, did our grocery shopping, and went back to the apartment, 36 r. Montmartre, apt. 9, to unpack and enjoy an early bedtime.

Paris Day 1: In the Air

It was the morning after a wonderful, albeit draining, Defender’s Day weekend. At around 4AM, I dragged myself – still achy from hauling benches and tables from the tavern to the Fort - out of bed, drank my token two cups of coffee, and literally threw the rest of my stuff into my suitcase. Daddy had taken the day off to help us get out the door, and he and the girls dropped Mommy and I off at the airport in D.C. Everyone was a little sad, especially Mommy, but excited at the same time.

Our flights, from Washington to Philly and from Philly to Paris, were mercifully uneventful. While in Philly, we spent a few hours at the USO lounge on the recommendation of my Aunt V., which was very nice. I had an interesting conversation with a tall, imposing African American man who I later discovered was a three-star general. Also, to add a little excitement, our gate was changed from one end of the airport to the other in Philadelphia so Mommy rode in the cart and I ran. Finally in line for our flight, we met some nice elderly people on their way to Normandy.

In-flight entertainment included “The Proposal”, “Star Trek”, and “Monsters, Inc.”. Embarrassingly, I did fall asleep for an hour or so whilst watching “Star Trek”. But it was fitful and I eventually gave up on sleeping.