A Journey in the Rain

Today we journey to Paris. We got up at a reasonable time and as per our normal routine of leaving packed our bags. As our journey today goes over lunch on the train with no transfers anywhere, which honestly is a great thing, yesterday we stocked up on apples water and a soda and Nutella and rice cakes. So with a little extra weight we made our way to the train station for our 5.5 hour journey. Now quick side note, ever since London we have been searching for rice cakes, and we have been unable to find them anywhere that we go. It was great in Ireland and London as it is an easy breakfast in the room, or for days like today to have a lighter lunch that we know I can eat. Yesterday we FINALLY found rice cakes, and we almost didn't even see them as they were hidden. But glad we have them as it makes the day a little nicer. 

This morning we stopped at a cafe for some coffee, and a croissant for Luke before heading to the train station. The sky was grey, and as we were finishing up our coffee it began to rain, slowly and slowly it started to rain harder and harder. We put our packs on and set out across the street, by the time we crossed the street it was monsoon pouring rain! We knew where to go and we B lined it for the door. Unfortunately for us a guy stopped us at the door to get in, he asked up where we were going, we said Paris, twice before he understood. Poor place for him to stand as the door had a nice little ramp on the roof for the rain to come shooting out of! He finally let us in and we were left quite wet, but it certainly could have been much much worse. 

Remember a few days ago I referenced the large que they had set up for the races in Monaco? Well that is the only reason that we got stopped was because they are strict on making sure no one sneaks onto the commuter trains going there. Will be an interesting day at the races as the rain will change the game. Not only do the only have 2 wet tires to choose from instead of their usual 5, they also will be going "slower" to avoid crashing and to stay in control. I say "slower" because the speeds that they will still be going around these corners are outrageously fast, but hey crashes are half the fun as long as no one gets hurt.

We are so glad that we chose today as our travel day as we certainly would have wanted to be walking out in that rain. A few of the drain pipes in the train station were clogged and there was water literally crashing through. Think of a waterfall, yea it was like a little waterfall from the roof. Not to mention that the rain hitting the troop of the train station sounded like you were at a waterfall base it was so loud. We definitely got in at a good time as people coming in after us were completely soaked, head to toe. Knock on wood this doesn't happen to us. 

The cool thing with the train that we are on, is that it had to attach itself to a train that had previously stopped at the station to make it one large, long train. The front of it opened and then the claws of each connect somehow, we aren't certain as we had to get on the train, and it was further away so we couldn't quite see it happen.

Ahhh Paris. For some reason I have been in love with this city since I was quite young. I am not sure what it is about this place but I love it. It was always my dream when I was younger that I would make it to Paris, if that was the only place in Europe I made it to, we at least I saw Paris. This dream came true in grade 11 when I went on the Spain and France trip with the school. I many great memories of that trip, but to share Paris with Luke is something special. The way the Eiffel Tower glistens and sparkles in night against the deep blue sky in the background is a sight that alone brings tears to my eyes, don't ask my why, I'm a woman. 

We have a busy few days here, catacombs, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and a river cruise on the Siene river that runs through the centre of the city. We have exciting days ahead, as there always is.

An interesting fact about Paris is that they do not have names for areas of the city, the have given them numbers. The number one starts in the centre of the city and it spirals out. The lower the number the closer you are to the centre. They even refer to the numbers exactly how we would with certain areas back home. They call them districts. Each district is thought of differently, meaning the business, the quite, and so on.  Apparently each district is like a little village and they tend not to leave their area as they have everything they need right there.

We aren't exactly sure what was happening as they never said it in English but it sounded like something to do with police at a station along the way, not sure if this is right but it caused us to have almost an hour and a half delay. We got to Paris just before 5. We waited so that we could book our next train for Thursday, and found a little spot and grabbed as smal bite as we weren't sure how long it would be till we ate close to our hotel. But we made it and the subway ride was actually very easy and straight forward so that was great. It is a nice North of the river. Techniqually we are in 18 but we are literally at the corner of 18, 17, 9 and 8. But it seems to be a good location. Also around the corner from the metro so easy to bounce from wherever to wherever.

We ended up listening to a lot of Rick Steves while we were on the train as we had maples more time then expected and here is some of what we learned.

Due to a past mayor that wanted to re-vamp the champs élysées and bring it back to its high standard schwanky ways, the McDonald's on this street is the best ever. They have to keep up a beautiful terrace with flowers and good quality furniture inside. We may just have to poke our heads in or grab a sundae to see if this is in fact true.

The schedule in terms of eating, which we seemed to pick recognize in Nice, is that breakfast is eaten before 10 and usually consists of espresso an a croissant. Eggs are something that the Parisians tend to eat as a lunch item or even dinner. If you get eggs for breakfast you are not being local but accomadated to the western ways. Because of the light breakfast, lunch is eaten promptly at 12:30 and actually lasts till 2:30. Both in a place to find to eat but Parisians also have 2 hour lunch breaks we learned. Apparently they work late to make up for the lost time. They have a snack around 4 or 4:30 and don't eat till 8:30 or 9 in the evening. And again this lasts till usually 11. Completely different culture and lifestyle then we are used to, back home, and even from Spain, but we are fairly good at adjusting. 

Another thing that we learned in regards to eating. That if a cafe has tables outside, and they are not set with a placemat and utensils then you are during a time where a meal is to be had and you may seat yourself and order a beverage. Although, if the tables are set you are to wait for someone to seat you, and you are expected to have more then a beverage but at least some kind of food. Waiters here are trained to not bother your meal, meaning that eye contact is essential even when waiting to be seated. Or if you need something from them to make eye contact and they will come over at heir earliest convenience. Which is also something new but good to know.

Parisians are not into smiling recreationally. If there is a good reason to smile they will, otherwise they just aren't. They also walk very fast, which will be great for us, but treat their side walks as mini freeways. Meaning you walk on the right, if you are going to pass someone you are going look around them to see if there is anyone coming in the other direction before doing so, you also don't stop in the middle of a side walk as you wouldn't do that on a freeway, you move off to the side gradually and then stop. Not that we are prone to doing these things but at least there is order and a natural flow to things, we like that.

Mcdonals on the champ élysées has to up keep a beautiful terrace with flowers and has to have good quality furniture inside. Due to a past mayor who wanted to re vamp the street.

The French find hugging to be much more intimate then kissing, as your body is closely touching another person. They do the kiss on a cheek thing. Which is called a biz. Proper form for this is eyes closed touching cheeks and sound are all essential. The more you want to relay interest the closer to the lip you get, and the more lip then cheek there is. They realm led on far to long a bout this when we were listening today. The north tend to do one on either side and the south tends to do it multiple times.

We also learned many a thing about the dear Eiffel Tower, but here are a few of the main highlights of what they said. It was the tallest structure for 40 years after it was built until 1929 when the Chrysler building in New York City rose above it. It was originally only suppose to be up for 20 years, but sir Eiffel did all that he could to make it something worth keeping around. When the radio became a thing he installed one at the top of the tower and then offered it to the military to use it. Apparently this is what saved them from the war as they over heard the Germans saying that they were unable to move forward as they had no more hay for their horses, causing the French to change course.

Because I know you all are so very concerned with the bed situation as we have seem to come across many interesting things, and I am seemingly quite picky, this place has my kind of pillows. SUPER SQUISHY AND SOFT your head just sinks into it and finds its own rhythm with the sides of the pillow ever so inviting. ITS GREAT!

We have learned many a thing from these Rick Steve radio shows and will probably continue to learn more. Some things regarding etiquette and learning that we are supposed to speak in hushed tones is also something that is useful to know. Time to get to know Paris. I must say I know I mentioned earlier but this is a beautiful city. There is something about the way all that buildings look, and just the feeling you get when you are looking around. This city has had my heart since a child and will continue to, I'm sure more and more as we walk the streets and discover all the beauty it has to offer.

The best part is we get to discover it together. AWWWWWW! ;)

And so the adventure continues...