Who knew getting to Paris from London could take all day without driving!
After a hellish three hour, steering-wheel gripping journey to the airport this morning, I managed to miss my flight (along with all the rest of the people stuck on the M25 this morning). Lovely, gracious Air France booked me on a later flight which arrived late afternoon at Charles de Gaul. As our plane was pulling into the gate, the pilot announced to his surprise that there was a strike action taking place and no one was around to guide the plane to the gate. Some time later, someone was scrambled to help. But then, before disembarking, he also announced any checked luggage was not able to be unloaded yet either.
Having retrieved the one bag Air France insisted I check, I waited another forty-five minutes for the Air France coach (bus) to take me into Paris. An hour and a half later, I have at last arrived in the city, just as it was getting dark. As we drove nearer to Charles de Gaul Etoile, I could see the top half of the iconic Eiffel Tower, brilliantly illuminated, framed by a dark periwinkle or lavender blue sky. I have to say so far that spectacle was definitely the highlight of the day.
When I jumped off the coach and crossed the street to the taxi rank, I spied the hotel I almost stayed at, the one I love - Hotel Splendide Etoile. It is a tiny little hotel with very few rooms, centrally located, and quite conveniently situated near the Arc de Triomphe, boasting a permanent view of the Eiffel Tower (the top of it anyway) - hmmmpph.
Jumping in a taxi, I found my way to the little bare essential hotel I am now occupying. Even though my little room is a far cry from Mr. and Mrs Smith's standards, it is clean, bright and offers all that I need in Paris – a secure place to leave my things when I’m at work or exploring; and, a giant bed with crisp white, starched linen - heaven.
After taking a few minutes to decompress and stretch my toes out, I studied the various handouts and maps that were provided as joining instructions for the meetings I am attending this week. Forty-five minutes later I have worked out that I am miles from the office, which is north of the city, outside of Paris. Tomorrow will be an early start - meeting begins at 8:30 am and I am a metro, then a train ride, then a walk away from where I need to be! It will take me about 45 minutes to an hour to get to the office. I might need more time than two hours to get to the airport when I leave. I will contemplate this new conundrum when I am out in a cafe sipping a glass of bubbly.
It has been more than 10 years since I've been to Paris. It seems enormous, even more enormous than I ever remembered. Wish I knew more about the cool places here. Paris is not a city I've spent any time in, despite its luxury, culture, style, quirkiness.
At first glance, Paris is a city with two temperments - one is sexy and classic, a timeless piece, something like Chanel. I love the buildings in the posh bits but loathe the ugly, grubbiness of the run-down bits. And that is the other side of Paris’ personality – the seedy, broken-down, crumbling carcass of the city, something like a dead animal that's been left on the side of the road. Was that the kind of squalor that all the artists for centuries have come to live in to paint their masterpieces?
Mental note: must learn to speak French in spite of the six years of lessons. Also, must purchase, use and annotate a very good map of Paris, completely blacking out all the yucky, ugly and broken bits.
I do like it though, even if I think I'd like it more being a stone lighter - and of course much more graceful walking around in high-heeled boots with a really smart bag. I can tell I can’t afford to live here, ever.
No matter. It is still sad that I'm only here for work and will be leaving before even getting a chance to roam about on my own and visit the museums. I am sensing the need to have a short holiday break in May or early June.
I am now going to venture out and sharpen my non-existent French skills in a quintessentially Parisian café – something quirky, with Lebanese food I hope! Tonight, after the events leading up to this moment, I just need some time to immerse myself in the buzz and click of this double-act city.
Oh, it is eight degrees Celsius, and not a raindrop in sight. I have at last left behind the sheets of rain which so impeded my early morning start. Tonight it is absolutely walking around town weather.
Au revoir!
P.S. So far everyone here is extremely tolerant and polite to me considering I am speaking French oh so very badly.
xx
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