European Vacation - Part Deux

The weather in Paris was not sunny - in fact it rained for the majority of our stay. But it really just added to the magic of the city. It really is amazing seeing sights in person that you have only read about in books or seen on TV and in the movies, and that is pretty much what my entire trip to Paris was - amazing sights.

Our first morning in the City of Lights, Bridget and I found a nearby boulangerie where we successfully managed to order two croissant without incident. I really wanted a cup of coffee to go with it, but apparently there is no such thing as a "cup of coffee to go" in Paris. Its all about the cafe experience, sitting and absorbing etc. So I had to go without.

We decided to begin the day at Notre Dame. We purchased our Carnet (pack of 10 Metro tickets) and set out on the 4 line to Cite. This cathedral really is quite beautiful. The stained glass windows were extraordinary despite the gray skies. We even climbed to the top to see the views and the gargoyles up close. Claustrophobia almost became an issue since the entrances up and down the stairwells are one in the same. But it was definitely worth the view in my opinion, and the sore legs from climbing the stairs. :)

After Notre Dame, Bridget and I headed towards the Louvre. On the way we found a boulangerie selling baguettes. Since my return, people have asked me what my best meal in Paris was. The baguette that I bought in this boulangerie was by far the best thing I ate there. I never knew ham, cheese, butter, a freshly baked bread, and little lettuce could taste so good. I dunno if I was just so hungry, or if it was that good, but regardless it was Heaven.

When we arrived at the Lourve, the rain was just tapering off, and a little blue sky managed to peak out. I am pretty proud of the picture I got (pictures to come, I promise) that captures the moment. This is a museum I have always dreamed of visiting, and the setting as we arrived really matched the moment. I couldn't believe how big the museum was! I don't think I ever realized how massive it was. We must have spent 5 hours in that museum, and didn't see everything... Even though it felt like we did. And as cheesy as it sounds I honestly got goosebumps when I saw the Mona Lisa. :)

Later on, Bridget and I dragged ourselves to a restaurant in the 5th arrondissment that was mentioned in Frommer's Guide Book that ended up being really good! Some locals and a lot of ex-pats made the atmosphere feel like we fit in, yet that we were definitely in Paris. The staff was also very jovial and were very nice and helpful to us. The fois gras and the wine was fantastic, not to mention the apple tart we had for dessert. With the little energy we had left, we dragged ourselves back to the hotel and fell asleep. ;)

European Vacation - Part One

Monday night's flight out of Newark was delayed over an hour due to our fabulous Vice President being in town. Apparently all the planes had to be grounded until security did their thing. We eventually got off without a hitch and landed without incident. Bridget and I picked up our packs from the baggage claim and headed towards central London.

When we arrived at Victoria station via the Gatwick express (very speedy) we headed onto Kings Cross/St. Pancras station (and yes I did find Platform 9 3/4) to check our packs so we could further explore the city a bit until we were due in Kettering to meet Kat. We found a great pub for some lunch down by St. Paul's Cathedral (truly Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece) - Bangers and Mash for me and a pint, and then walked around St. Pauls a bit. We then headed up towards Covent Garden where I found perhaps the BEST cookie bakery anywhere on the face of the Earth (Ben's Cookies), and Bridget found the best Exchange Bureau in all of London!

Afterwards, we headed back to King's Cross to meet the train to Kettering (pronounced Ket-Ring). I must admit, the train systems in Europe made me nervous. Yes they are reliable and excellent in terms of operations (save maybe the Eurostar but its still new and more about that later), but Europeans are psycho about their trains and very strict about your comings and goings. What would be considered their commuter rails i.e. NJ transit are much more limited and have so many more restrictions. You have to know well in advance of your schedule or else you pay dearly for it... In pounds... :) You can't just buy a ticket and go.

Visiting the countryside was beautiful. Kat picked us up, and took us home to her house in Desborough where her and Alan treated us to a dinner of fish and chips (I even had it with the Malt Vinegar and ketchup! YUM) and we passed out on the couch while Alan watched the Liverpool/Chelsea match. The next day whilst Kat was off at work, Bridget and I amused ourselves with a local town that was about a mile walk from Desborough. Yes, we looked a little funny and stuck out, but we had a great time. There was a lovely tea house called Windmills where we were the only patrons. We sampled a pot of their cream tea (English breakfast tea and milk) as well as some of the snacks. The last time I was in England, I definitely don't remember the food being as good, but this trip has definitely changed my mind about British cuisine. Scones, clotted cream and strawberry preserves may just be the best thing ever!

Thursday we headed to back to London. The day was perfect, nary a cloud in the sky. After we checked our packs at Waterloo station, we had quite a bit of time to kill before our 6PM train to Paris. We decided to visit the Tower of London which in my opinion is one of the best attractions in London. If you get a good tour guide (the cheekier the better) your tour will not only be informative, but entertaining as well.

Once 5PM rolled around, we headed back to Waterloo to check into Eurostar. This was probably the part of the trip I was most looking forward to. Not only going to Paris, but traveling via one of the fastest trains in the world, and via the Chunnel. Check-in was virtually snag free, and we boarded the train and arrived in Paris 2:20 later. Navigating the Metro was fantastically easy (luckily Bridget's co-worker and given her two Metro tickets to get her started), so we popped right on the 4 line and headed to our hotel in Montparnasse.

The neighborhood we stayed in was a bit far out of things, but literally across the street from a good metro line, so that made up for things. Still, the next time I go, I would much rather stay in either the 5th, 6th or 7th arrondissment. These neighborhoods are much more "Parisian" in my opinion, and although Montparnasse is more unexplored and untouristy - that's why I was in Paris... To be a tourist.

More tomorrow... :)