This morning, we got up around 7:30 and got ready for the day. We had done most of our packing last night so it didn't take long. We ate the provided breakfast of cereal and toast, and went on our way. We had to walk close to a mile to get to the Baker Street Underground. The only line running today was the Jubilee Line and it would take us to Waterloo. Now, yesterday was very crowded on the tube...but that was nothing compared to today. Imagine all the peoples of London trying to commute to work on ONE tube line..I had faces close enough to me that I could count their nose hairs. Luckily, we were only 4 stops away from Waterloo. Once off at Waterloo, we went to purchase Eurostar tickets for the ride to Paris. As we checked out, my card was denied. I called the credit card fraud prevention to verify that I am in Europe and they said the denial was not on their end. So we had to try to find an ATM. The first one was broken down so we went to the other end of the station and found an ATM. Then back down to get the ticketes. By that time, it was 9:55 and the train was leaving at 10:10. We hurridly purchased the tickets and went through check-in and security. We made it to the platform to find our coach was on the far end. The woman said "hurry to the end, but if the train starts moving, just jump in." To us, that meant run! We took off, heavy packs and all. Halfway to our coach, we were stopped but an elderely gent who told us we had time, just walk. He was right, and here we sit. There is not much contryside to see. Mainly just trees. This might be a good time to take a nap!
We arrived safely at Paris...It's beautiful! Our hostel is much bigger than the last. We are in a smaller room (much like a dorm) that hold 3 people. Our roommate is from New Zeland. She is very interesting!
After checking in, we took the metro to the Arc De Triomphe. Pictures do it no justice. It's enormous! There is a "turn about" around it that is 8 lanes wide. You have to go through an underground walking tunnel to get to it. We opted out of climbing to the top for price reasons, but it was still quite amazing from the bottom!
Once back to the hostel, we asked where we could find a grocery store. The lady at the counter was very confused. I continued explaining, " food, grocery, supermarket." Ah! Supermarket! She told us it was across the street from the Bastille Metro. So back on the metro we went, and hopped off at Bastille. There was definitely no supermarket across from the metro. Because the French generally do not like Americans, especially English speaking Americans, we weren't sure where to go from there. We found a little newspaper stand and decided it would be rude to ask directions without purchasing something. Luckily, they had postcards for .20€ each. I bought five and said "hello, do you speak English" in French (one of the few phrases I know in French). The man said no, so I didn't continue. But he began waving his hands as if to say, "but go ahead and try." I asked again (in a lapse of memory) where the grocery store was. Blank stare. Oh, yes, the Supermarket. That he understood. He took off speaking French quickly and pointing his hands. We figured out we should go down the adjacent street and look on the left. After quite a walk, we came upon a fruit stand. We both bought apples and again, asked where the super market was. This man was very funny. He kept saying "Speak-uh Fran-say." Then he said "Soo-pear" and looked at me to repeat, so I did. Then he said "Mar-sha." I repeated. He said very happily, "Wee, Soo-pear Mar-sha! Speak-uh Fran-say." Then gave us directions in French. We walked a little farther and finally found the Super Marché. We purchased bread, cheese, chips, and cookies for around 5.25€. We wanted to buy ham, but it was about 5€ for two slices...that's close to $7 US! We opted out on the meat.
Tomorrow we will visit the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower!
1 comment:
Oh, I love it. Did no one tell you that the French are offended by Americans who don't speak French? At least you tried, they've gotta give you some points for that.
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