We go to Paris October 15, 2006

We had a noon flight from Dublin to Paris so we left the hotel for the airport about 9:30 to give ourselves time to find the rental car return and make our way to the terminal. There was plenty of time especially since our flight left about thirty minutes late.

Arriving in Paris was another story. The plan was to take the train into Paris from Charles De Gaulle Airport, transfer to the Metro train and end up close to the Arc De Triomphe at our hotel, the Star Hotel Etoile (Etoile means star..?). The first thing we learned about Paris is that while streets and addresses are well marked, directional signage such as how to get to the train is not always so clear. We finally found the right shuttle bus and joined the herd that got off at the number 2 terminal where the train station is located. All of the automated ticket machines were broken so there was a line about 30 people when we got there and with two ticket windows open it took a while to get through this. Next we had to find the right train as this station services several lines. We got off at Gare Du Nord (the north train station) to transfer to the metro. About three stops into the metro ride with standing room only two young guys rolled their portable rap machine into the space between the cars doors, turned on the music and started to do their act. At the next stop the Metro Police came through the car and hauled the young men off. The crowd in the car took notice of all of this so I assume this does not happen everyday. We made it to our stop and with the aid of a map and after a ten minute walk found our hotel and checked in.

We made a quick foray into the neighborhood and found a small grocery where we got cereal, milk, yogurt and fruit for breakfast as is about US$32 extra per day. We made our way back to the Star Hotel Star and exhausted by the day’s activities we were soon in bed wanting to be rested for first day in Paris, and soon asleep.