a bar in Paris 10/13/08
I left the States last night at 5:30 pm est. The flight was direct and I lucked out having perhaps the only open seat next to me. I can never sleep on planes but boy I tried hard.
I arrived at my hotel about 8-9 hours later (9:30 am local time). My room wasn’t ready so I parked my bags, changed, splashed some water on my face, grabbed the Nikon and hit the pavement.
Though my staff and friends tried to help me plan the day beforehand I decided just to walk around and see where I ended up.
My first stop was touristy – atop a building which yields a 360 degree view of the city. This was actually a smart move because from above, Paris looks very similar to DC’s grid. Not to mention the view of the Tour Eiffel did not dissapoint.
From there I started walking. I was noticing that I was the only person with sunglasses on even though it was sunny. I noticed that everyone was really bundled up with wool coats and scarves. It was pretty warm outside. Also, rumors I had heard about The French not wearing denim were wrong – everyone had jeans on albeit designer.
The girls that caught my eye were fetching.
The language barrier is not much of a barrier thanks to the good advice of everyone who told me to learn a few key phrases.
Places I visited: Jardin du Luxembourg, Pantheon, and the Cimetiere du Montparnasse (note: cemeteries are very historical and not sad places in Paris).
I really enjoyed lunch which was ham and cheese on a baguette. Make no mistake, this sandwich was delicious.
Following a much-needed 1.5 hour nap I’ve taken a recommendation by my friend Doug to grab a sangria at Le Bar Dix in the Latin Quarter. Sangria may seem odd – agreed – but it’s delicious and the non-touristy authenticity of this spot is nice. And yes, I have been writing this post as I work through my glass.
There’s French music in the jukebox. There’s a young French couple next to me drinking wine. (they just left.)
My next stop is a place called Les Editeurs which Doug notes is trendy and sits on a square in the Latin Quarter.
As I finish my drink, another French couple walks in and the owner laughs with a lady friend who sits at his bar. Au revoir.
