Friday, October 8, 2010

Paris! {Part one}

Thursday, Sept 30th we caught the 6:18pm train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Paris Nord!  We went with the Thalys hispeed train that goes up to about 300kms an hour.  So what would normally take up to 5 hours in a car, took us about 2-1/2 hours with 4 stops. :) was fun!

We had booked a place through the www.airbnb.com website, and the girl whose apartment we had reserved, met us at the train station with the keys and a few pointers. (everything else we had gotten from her in email already)  After two subway rides (my FIRST ever ~ I know I lead a dull life in the country growing up!) we were on the outskirts of Paris and at our "home" for the next 2-1/2 days.  This apartment was only about 450 sq ft ... the walk-in closet was bigger then the kitchen, and the bathroom could have fit in it twice!

Friday morning we had breakfast at a little patisserie.  Yummy quiche and chocolate eclairs! :)


We then headed back on the subway towards the center of the city, and walked along the Champs Elysees.

Yes, I'm standing in the middle of the road for this shot ~ they had a small median there for this purpose!

We kept walking along, and it changed from a nice tree lined park pathway, to stores and commercialization.  And along with that came the street vendors.



first view of the Eiffel Tower!


The upper viewing area was closed, so we didn't go up.  We then headed towards the Eiffel Tower.  We decided to take a river boat cruise to see what we would be missing, by not spending a month or two there! :) 

We saw some ornate bridges:





Beautiful architecture:



And of course the Eiffel Tower!


We then went and found some dinner around the corner from the Tower, since we had a 6:00pm time slot for going to the top.

It was a little rainy and foggy, but it was still an incredible view!



we even got an aerial view of the Arch de Triomphe


we were a long way from home!



Well that is all for day folks ... I'm about to head out to get a car, and Aaron & I are going on an adventure!  Matt & Karen left this morning for their adventure in Brussels, so we decided to go on one too ... details to follow when we return! :)

I'll post the album of pictures after I've finished the next two days of Paris!

hugs,
Bren

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