Midnight...In...Paris!

Midnight...in...Paris

Midnight and im lying in bed...Rain is softly hitting the window and that is the only sound I hear...from the outside.  Inside my mind is racing with thoughts and pictures from the day, and set to the music of the raindrops, all seems surreal.  

When I planned this trip I knew I was planning more in a week than I do in a year at home...a slight exaggeration, but I know what wonderful things happen when I set out on an adventure.  And the whole of the experience does exceed anything that happens at home...and this day was no exception!

My day started quite early in London.  I'd had enough sleep by the middle of the night so was up writing the last entry.  I was at the dining room for breakfast when it opened at 6AM.  I was quite hungry, after all, that would have been 11 PM at home and I'd not had dinner....many hours since my fish and chips.  I had a big day ahead of me, so I knew to have a nice breakfast to get me through.  What I didn't know was how 'big' it would be.

London has terrible traffic.  I'd booked a driver from my airport hotel to the station for my train to Paris.  I've always gone by tube and high speed train before, but wanted to save that hassle.  I found a company that had a set rate of 30 GBP so the car was reserved.  Id reserved it for 3 hours before the departure, thinking i would put my luggage in a locker and wander that part of the city, since the ride would be about 40 minutes.  On the flight over I'd heard I'd be there during a tube strike.  That put seeds of doubt and worry in my mind, and how right I was.  London traffic is horrendous, add to that a major strike of the tube and even a big cutback of the express train...and you have gridlock and long lines for the very limited transportation options.  When I arrived I told my concierge friends of the worries and decided I would call to schedule the driver for even earlier.  I am so glad I listen to my gut on these matters!  Now a call from the room would have cost several GBP, ridiculous, so I just mentioned it to my concierge friends and they let me use their phone, truly I can't say enough about how it feels to have them taking care of me!  So I called and moved up my pickup 30 minutes earlier, now I would have to be ready by 7 AM.  Smart, smart me!

Just before 7 a gentleman walked in to get me.  My buddies use a very expensive car service there, of course, so I had booked my own transportation.  They teased me about what my car would be, and I was pleased to see a nice car, nothing like the ultra fancy cars they use, but fine for me.  So off we went, for what would be a VERY long ride!  The kind driver told me he was Brazilian and of course that got me talking about the Portuguese words I know.  (If you don't know, Brazilians speak Portuguese, although it is a bit different).  Charles had some interesting stories on many subjects, and it is a way I enjoy learning about different cultures, directly from the people who know.  Well, I had longer for stories than anyone could have predicted!  We moved at a snails pace for hours...just over 2 1/2 hours on the road!  There was no break from the gridlock traffic the entire way...great thinking me!  I'm quite sure I'd not have made the train if I'd have left a minute later, or tried to manage on my own.  I felt badly for him, he had to call people to postpone or delay his other pickups, thankfully I'd been the first of the day.  I hope that the strike proved the point and the workers get the raise they want and deserve.

My train left at 10:25 and I arrived only 45 minutes ahead of time, check in is required 30 minutes ahead at the latest...whew!  Made it!  I even had time to get to the bathroom and buy some water for the journey...whew again!  I have a bit too much luggage, and I had to laugh at myself as I was holding on for dear live as the quite steep moving sidewalk slowly took us up to the platform.  There is no better workout for me than dropping me in Europe and making me survive!  Rather like dropping someone into water so they swim.  I wondered if the lady behind me had any idea how close she was to being flattened by my luggage as my arm got weaker and weaker on the trip up!  But I made it and began the long walk to my coach...3rd from the end...and what a trek it was.  

Finally I was at car 16.  A nice man helped me with my luggage and soon I was searching for my seat.  I was surprised at how full the train was, I'd thought with the strike many wouldn't make it, but it seems everyone had a plan and were where they needed to be in time.

I sat down, glad to be on my way to Paris...and the very kind young man next to me, started talking to me.  He was delightful!  Nice person #2, out of 2, not bad!  He is a set designer and is currently working on a set in London and Paris for a commercial with a famous actor.  He was on his 4th trip back and forth for the filming.  It will be on at theatres before the movie.  He was exhausted and said he would be sleeping, but he talked for most of the journey, explaining what we were seeing on the way and when we were 500 feet down in bedrock on out journey across the Channel.  

He was quite philosophical and shared so many stories and then at one point he left to get something to drink, and returned with a map of Paris marked with things to see and then proceeded to explain to me what was what on the map.  How kind is that?!  Then he started telling me about a church I needed to see and he drew me a picture of what I would see, which entrance to use and where to go once inside.  I told him it was nice to have an artist helping me, I liked having the pictures to go by, and asked him if one day my pictures would be worth a lot when he is famous.  He was amused and signed the one of the church just in case.  Finally he said he was tired and went to sleep.  I'm reading a book about Paris, a historical fiction, and within a page or two I was reading about the exact church he had told me about!  So I stopped and saved the place to show him when he woke up.  Next thing I knew he was waking me up, he needed to get out and we were almost there.  What a truly delightful trip!  He told me about his wife who is a designer for a very famous fashion designer and about their upcoming baby.  So sweet, and I asked if it was a girl or boy.  He answered and said I was the only one outside of them who knew!  I promised I'd not tell!  How special!  He gave me his business card and said he would like to be in touch.  He does know someone who works at the international school in Paris so perhaps someday I'll be teaching English there?  He was a fascinating young man, a very delightful travel companion!  He said I was the same and perhaps on my next train ride I would meet a man who isn't married and expecting a child...how cute!  I love meeting interesting people, and he certainly was!

So before I knew it we were arriving at the Paris station.  I'd mentioned I get so lost finding the right exit so he offered to help me, but I knew he was being met by the film crew and whisked away to film at the airport so I assured him I would be fine, to go on his way.  So he left me after a hug and kiss and wish for a wonderful journey.  Ahhh, the joy of traveling alone!  What a highlight!  But it turns out....that was not to be the last of the day!

I wandered the station, figured out the exit closest to my hotel and stopped to purchase a carnet of train tickets...that is 10 and it is very handy to have and not have to buy a ticket at each place.  So carnet in hand, off I went rolling my luggage over the cobblestones at places...across the street to my hotel.  I was starving, but needed to drop off my things before eating.  It took forever to check in, of course I got a new lady on day 2!  But it did get done and eventually I found my room, the halls are quite a maze and yes, I have a quiet room, thank goodness!  So I went then to the restaurant next door and had a croque Monsieur, an open face sandwich on a slice of bread with ham and melted cheese.  A bit dry, but at that point just about anything would be good!  I returned to the room and started getting ready for my outing and the bed won the contest and I collapsed for a few hours nap.  Much needed and wonderful!

I woke up in the rain, what would I do?  It was still light but my new friend had said to try to go to the church when the sun was shining, so I decided to take my small camera and head to my hot chocolate/ olive beef stew place.  

Each time I get more comfortable on the metro, and to be honest, it is thrilling to me to be part of Parisian life!   I got off at the stop and crossed the street and went in to the candy/macaroon shop I saw right there.  I do love the macaroons and couldn't pass up a chance to purchase some for later.  Oh, what flavors they have.  If you don't know what these are, check them out online.  We have a place at home that makes them and I drove downtown to sample them...NOT even close to the real thing, so it was a necessary stop!  :-). 

I found the restaurant much quicker this time.  I was told that the wait was about 20 minutes.  I'd flown 5000 miles for this, I could wait a bit.  I said something to the couple also waiting and it was quite apparent they did not want to talk, so that was that.  I sat outside on what is the oldest street in Paris, enjoying the sight of all the people wandering with their umbrellas.  The wait was closer to an hour because they were expecting a group of 12.  Next time I will know they take reservations.  So I waited and waited.  Eventually a large group came up and they were happy to chat while waiting.  The family was from San Diego and their daughter was married in Sorrento, Italy and the parents, newlyweds and a few family members were enjoying Paris and had the restaurant recommended, they were a group of 8, the other four didn't show up. 

 Finally I was taken in and given a table.  People on both sides of me were very kind.  I didn't plan to talk because I assumed that couples wanted to spend their time together without interruption.  But the people on both sides of me struck up conversations and soon we were all chatting.  One couple from San Francisco were just off a 2 week river cruise.  They followed my suggestion and ordered the hot chocolate and said they loved it.   Soon they were gone.  

The other couple were delightful, young and so very kind...of course they were, turns out they were Greek!  Oh I do love Greek people...whether is is because I grew up close to a Greek family or had my Greek love in college, or the way I'm treated in Mykonos, well, it doesn't matter, two more wonderful Greek people are in my life.  We got along so well, the man is in the food industry and we laughed as I shared my favorite food from places around the world.  He asked if I were in the gastronomic industry and then said I should be.  Cute!  His girlfriend is a teacher working on her masters degree in London and they just recently met, a few months ago.  All her life she has been a Disney fan and wanted to see Disneyland.  He brought her to Paris and when they arrived, just that morning, he had given her tickets to Disneyland!!  She was beside her self, so thrilled about that visit!  What a wonderful man.  They had the cutest story, he kept telling her to pack her 'trainers' and she refused!  She said she was going to Paris and was only taking her heels...and now she will be seeing Disneyland in heels!  I told her she might want to listen to him in the future!  They were lovely!  We all shared our food, I tasted their coq au vin and duck,very tasty.  They made the evening so much fun and we spent a lot of time together and were the last to leave.  He talked to the owner a bit and before we knew it they gave us their special dessert.  Delicious!  

When i was getting out my card to charge dinner, Dimitri picked up my check and paid for my dinner!  How incredibly kind was that!  I was so touched i had tears in my eyes, it just isn't anything i am used to.  We left with email addresses and a page of notes of interesting things he/they had discussed.  So much to pursue when I get home, and two new wonderful thoughtful friends!  AND they have invited me to visit them in Mykonos this summer, where he has lived for years in the past.  He is working with a new company, with places in aspen, so who knows, perhaps they will be visiting me someday.  What an incredible special evening! They even insisted in walking me to the metro in the pouring rain, truly lovely, delightful people.  And I do think we will see each other again...

And so you see, why as the rain hits against my window I smile with memories of my day...and it is only day 2 of my adventure!  Travel is magical for me!