I guarantee that of all the places you expected me to write from in my first post from Paris, McDonald’s was not one of them. Travel lesson # 6973: when booking your charming little inexpensive boutique hotel, ask if they have wifi. Because if they don’t, you might end up at the Macdo across the street. And while you’re there, you just might buy a filet o’ fish and some fries. In Paris! Yes. It’s true.
It’s been a rocky day, as, it seems, the first day always is. Being woozy with jet-lag and getting drenched in a downpour in beautiful downtown Paris added to the general joy. All will be well, no question. All is already well. There are these little tests, that’s all.
Once I had navigated the metro from the airport into the city – and the French transportation system did just about everything in its power to make that trip as complicated and difficult as possible – I got out at the familiar Port Royal stop and began a familiar walk. One of the reasons I chose this hotel is because it’s so close to where I lived last year. I began to walk down the familiar Boulevard Port Royal, where it was market day – and I immediately came face to face with cheese, counter after counter of fresh cheese. Ah, now I remember why I’m here!
This internet site has just downloaded every email and every bit of junk mail I got in March – hundreds. I have to go. More anon, never again from here.
3 Responses to “”
Hi Beth,
Our first two visits to Paris, Sally and I stayed at the Hotel Observatoire Luxembourg and for the most recent visit we rented an apartment at Rue St. Jacques and Rue Gay-Lussac. So you're staying in an area we know, sort of.
If you're eating out, we highly recommend Le Mauzac at 4, rue de l'Abbe de l'Epee, Sabraj (Indian) on Rue St. Jacques and le Machon d'Henri at 8, rue Guisarde. The latter is quite hard to find.
Sally likes the Brasserie Balzar for cassoulet on Thursdays. La Fontaine Saint-Victor at 24, rue St-Victor offers a very nice lunch.
Concerts at Sainte Chapelle are also fun.
wHave a good time; We're envious.
Sabraj is at 175, rue Saint Jacques.
Many thanks, David and Sally. I will make a note. When I come back on the 18th, I'll have an apartment in the 5th and be more settled, and able to dine elsewhere than Mcdonalds. May I never mention that experience again.