Hotel Akena Les Mureaux

... and we got quite a lot of sun, but it was a nice, relaxing way to see the sights. (see pics)

After the boat cruise, we headed to the Eiffel Tower and waited in line for admission. The top of the tower can be seen from most parts of the city, and it truly is a sight to behold. Unfortunately, the very top floor was closed when we went, so we were only granted admission to the second. However, the second floor is still quite a ways ...

... paris and london completely alone, well not completely, considering all the cool people that ive met. but still, i feel like ive just been so naive to the world before this trip. Ive learned to use these huge metro systems and how these huge cities work...well to some extent. anyways, im writing this blog from madrid...yes, i made it safely thank god. so far i am just loving it and ive already met so many chill people at my hostel, which btw ...

... back in to town. For lunch, we ate at a restaurant in the Grand Place called, La Chaloupe d'Or. It had fantastic charm, very old and authentic looking. The food was amazing. I had what was called "Fondue Parmesan" which was nothing like any fondue I've ever had. It was more like a croquette or something. But either way, it was one of the better meals on the entire trip. Oh, and to drink, I had to have another Framboise ...

... knew we had gotten to the Jewish quarter when we began to see religious people and the first restaurant we came upon had a hechsher (certificate of kosherness) in the window. The Rue de Rossiers is a very small street, but it is full of modern shops and kosher falafel restaurants. L'As Du felafel was supposed to have the best falafel, and the line outside proved that everyone else had heard ...

Friday, June 6: We left the apartment after going through the check list they gave us. We rented from Vacation in Paris, has been a great company to work with (minor plug..) We left about 9:30 am got on the #8 metro after buying our RER tickets to CDG (Charles De Gaulle Airport). They were ~8,20 euros each, much better than a taxi! and guaranteed to not get stuck in traffic, even better ;-) , we transferred at Invalides then to the B @St. Michel and on to CDG! the whole ...

... on top. It was delicious. We met up again and took the subway back to the Marais, which is the area where we're staying. I decided a nap was in order, so I split from the group to head back to the apartment. I walked down the rue Rivoli, full of people smoking and chatting and hurrying along. Over the buildings I could see the gray stone domes and wrought iron spires of the Parisian landmarks, hints of gold ...

... 31 degrees today, rising to 34 as we move on tomorrow. Having a day of 'taking stock' today, ie washing, shopping and preparing for a 4 hour drive tomorrow, will be back in touch when we establish connection to the outside world. Having cleverly left our towels in the rain, and getting thoroughly soaked, we have decided that we should go native, and that 'that'll do attitude' will be on the showering front, we are going 'native'!!

... we are so fit and healthy after all). But when we got to the top is was totally worth it. The view was breathtaking, and we also got to get our bearings a little (what a well organised city). We also got to see our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower and way up on the hill, the stunning Sacre Coeur. By the time we got back down to earth we were pretty knackered. and headed back to our hotel to pour over our maps and plan the next day. We dined at the restaurant ...

... During the day I also visited Notre Dam cathedral on the Seine River which rates up there as being one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals I've visited in Europe. As it turned out, there was a service in place as I visited so I decided to sit in the 4th row and join in in what was a most memorable experience, sitting in a church service at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The organ playing and female singer was truly amazing. Staying in a ...

... I got to have some good conversation with a fellow traveller while waiting for the transit strike to end. I got the excitement of the frantic journey back to Charles de Gaulle. While lost in Paris, looking for my hotel, I didn't fail to take in the scenery. And the whole thing left me feeling that I could rise easily to the next challenge that came my way. So, thank you Paris. You might find me back, wandering your streets again, when I have a bit more time to do so.