"A day in Pahree - Papia & Pashu" a Paris Travel Page by Viperjazz

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on the cruise, yum food and wine

Intro

Paris ...” Pah-ree”as they say it, is beyond words! At the risk of sounding clichéd, it is truly the most alive city I have ever had the pleasure to visit. Sounds bizarre? Well wait till you get there. In the city one can not help but feel that ones own co-ordinates, wherever they might be is just but backwaters …no matter where you are. If you are a countryside quiet person you will love it here, if you are a metrophile you will love it here, be your inclinations romantic or adventurous. This is one real “in a box”place...just like the picture book says.

Initially we were concerned after having being warned about the rude “Parisians”. Not helpful or able to respond in any other language other than French. I would like to rephrase that by saying that unlike some places in Europe that do not even have basic information like road signs, bus stops and maps etc marked in any other official language. Paris supplies you with all the tourist information you need...in your language...and almost everywhere that you need it, namely every hotel balcony would have flyers in 4 languages at least.
So no trouble there.
We reached in the afternoon, the place has this clean smell in the air and everything has a clean glow to it. Most of the architecture is old but excellently maintained !, I mean excellently, restoration is all around and the first time around, you want to take your camera out and start shooting the first thing you do[ we went crazy loading our digital with over 75 and a 36 roll of BW –in one day].. Starting from the roads, to the euro car models, to posters and advertisements that seem so interesting. Not to mention anywhere and almost anywhere is a good backdrop in Paris . There will either be beautiful architectural monuments or the Seine River in the back. I am not exaggerating when I say that it is confusing which areas are monument stops and which aren’t. Even the old houses and streets are worth a while.

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Louvre

contnd

Your eyes are open right from the airport shuttle [ Aero port Beauvais Tille gets in cheap euro flights but is 1 hr away from the main city]. It then dropped us to a metro station that was a short walk and we took of for Champs Elysées, nearby which our hotel was located [a lil tip, I believe when in Paris don’t risk your money on an economy hotel over the web which can be horrible when you reach there, this was advised by several fellow travelers on the Google Groups, rather choose a brand and spend a bit more for a good place]
The Metro is excellent in terms of connections & timing- goes almost everywhere & you can take a Metro pass for the number of days you are around for unlimited usage at a very nominal cost. Being a foreigner I found most instructions easy to follow without finding the need to ask anybody. The transport is very cheap if you don’t taxi it everywhere.
The Champs Elysées (Elysian Fields) were originally nothing but fields, until Marie de Medicis decided in 1616 to put up a long tree-lined pathway. In 1667, Le Notre extended the vista of the Tuileries and the Champs- Elysees became a very fashionable place to walk. In 1724, the avenue was extended up to Chaillot hill, now the site of the Arc de Triomphe and the Etoile. The actual avenue of the Champs-Elysées did not become city property until 1828, when they added footpaths and fountains. They also added gas lighting at this time. Today, the Champs Elysées is one of the most famous streets in the world, with its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops. This special status made it the site of much growth and activity. At the very heart of Paris , it is one of the most symbolic places in the city, representative of its spirit and glory.
Right opposite the hotel and like any street of Paris there are small cafés. Exactly as Van Gogh painted. Small little places which smell heavenly and don’t cost much, the only problem with language were faced in these as here you have to speak in French, no problemo! As long as you can throw out “ bonjours, merci, avec vous”youre ready… J , the menus usually have an English version. Just when the waiter turns away you go ahead and grab it from 2 tables down.
Most things taste good. Crepes, French toast...etc...Just doesn’t pile on to the “ too”fancy that’s all, these guys know reasonable cooking. How ever condescending it sounds... im a by far truly Indian gourmet fanatic...I don’t mind being experimental though. Thinking of experimental. We bet loads of money on night Illuminations River Seine dinner and moonlight cruise. You see the whole Paris showcased in light. Eiffel, Louvre, Notre Dame ,etc. It was beyond anything I imagined seeing them with the fireworks. I must admit that I have been having wine for a year or 2 but with what they served, truly tasted the way everybody says it should! Went down fast and we were happy soon.

Read more at http://www.geocities.com/buki2much/paris/paris-1.htm

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but you know already!!

contnd

...
The next day began with a super fast breakfast so that we could munch along the rest of the day! We didn’t want to miss out on any good cafés along the way. We boarded the open tour bus which has a hop on hop off policy along all the monuments …we had only one day to explore Paris so excuse the everyday touristy way of going about it. Surprisingly enough it is also the most efficient way of seeing Paris in a day.

We started with an internal tour. As I said the entire city seems like historical heritage. one is very confused when the tour operator is speaking eloquently about some huge thing and you are in turn admiring something on the other hand , apparently of no historical importance but really beautiful, namely a lawyers office!. The Opera was beautiful. With a ramp for carriages to come in. massive statues and carvings made in stone...the size of buildings in this city is absolutely mind boggling. To think of the grandeur that existed and is being carried forward.

read the full article at Read more at http://www.geocities.com/buki2much/paris/paris-1.htm