*****
Arrived in Paris via Air France 83 -- Business Class provided more legroom than needed, especially on the bulk head row! Food was very good and plentiful on the flight. Had some wine at the encouragement of our flight attendant, who seemed puzzled and shocked that we were not drinking any. He was very encouraging about it, and said, "Try a few. Few, few, few, then many! Like me!" I have the menu somewhere ... we started with an amuse bouche that was a small paté tart with a grape slice and almond slices on top, then there was a salad and a fish terrine (which I was surprised that Miles liked), then we had our main course (chicken, fish, beef or risotto)(we had the chicken and the beef), dessert trio and gelato (caramel macaron was incredible!). Since the flight attendants were not sure about the nut content, we were cautious about the food on the plane -- which Mika got to enjoy, unfettered! -- but we did decide Miles could try the macaron and the lemon tart. We all tried to sleep in our fully extending chairs, with mixed success. Boyar seemed pretty good. I slept for a bit then woke up and Mika came over to say she couldn't sleep. I gave her my seat, and then I went to hers and tried to sleep with her books, game boy, Miles's DS, Miles's book, and her crocheting all in the seat, too. No wonder she couldn't sleep in this seat! Miles was resting but not asleep; he finally dozed off just before the "morning" and slept through breakfast service (Miles and I got ours later - French toast w/vanilla and berry sauce).
Arrived and got our bags, no customs check (!!!), and then I decided we should take the train so that it would be more of an adventure, rather than the recommended cab. I think it was the right decision. We made our way, with the help of the Tourist Information desk, and got onto the RER. After a few minutes, one of the young men on the train stood up with his accordion and started playing. With the backdrop of the industrial outskirts of Paris flashing by, he played some Parisian sounding tunes as we watched, intermittently, and I asked Miles to film him. If I had the Euros change, I would have given him something, but I didn't have it. Boyar didn't realize that he actually had the money, and he thought I had the money. The guy moved on to the next car. I filmed the graffiti, since I thought it looked cool. Got to Paris. Figured out the Metro transfer. Got to the Vaneau metro stop. Took a wrong turn and ended up at the Bon Marche ... which is how we knew we took a wrong turn. Got to our place. Met "Michael" and gave him the Thin Mints. He is from Michigan, and seemed happy to get the cookies.
Got settled, then walked around for a couple of hours ... which felt like four ... but we managed to stay awake and in good spirits, even though we were tired. Saw the Invalides, the Tour Eiffel, the Seine and its riverboat tours -- all in their sun-drenched glory! Walked back through the Rue Cler and went into the cheese shop (which was stinky and overwhelming), picked up a roast chicken (which was on sale for 10E), some potatoes Dauphonois (which were tart and tasty), some Camembert (which was stinky and tart and meaty tasting) ... followed up with a baguette and a quiche at a boulangerie on another street ... and some drinks and toilet paper at the local convenience store near our apartment. Boyar and I prepped dinner in our tiny kitchen, and we all had a good meal. Miles really enjoyed the cheese (as did Mika) and ate about half the baguette. Showered, played Bananagrams, and went to sleep.
Taking a while to get moving this morning. Slept till about 7 am, when the city noises started up (and the upstairs neighbor turned on the TV). Kids continued sleeping till Boyar woke them up at about 9:30 am. He is out and about, foraging for a patisserie or cafe for us to eat breakfast. I better get dressed before he gets back! Oops -- too late! Au revoir!
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