Mercure Paris Pte Versail Expo Vanves

... just how big it is if you spend 30 seconds on every item/painting in the Louvre it would take you three months to see everything. The mona lisa was smaller than portrayed in the movies but it wasnt as hard to see as some had said it would be. The building itself is an amazing peice of architecture with high ceilings and amazing frescos. There are so many paintings etc that it is hard to appreciate it all properly.<br>Day 12: In the morning we went to see ...

... around (I actually wrote this, so I had to enter it). What a wonderful night. The dinner and Cabaret were superb. Sun an awesome night, so Moulin Rouge hehehe. Something everyone needs to do and see when in Paris. The bus ride back to the hotel, now that was interesting. I kinda had a dance in the aisle, now I have to remind you that I have just been to a Parisan Cabare where the dancing and outfits are quite risqué. So the dancing that ...

... I stopped to pick up a croissant and coffee at a little coffee bar next to the Olympia. From La Madeleine, I followed the Rue Royale to Place de la Concorde. There were barricades all around the huge circle with the obelisk in its centre, and I could see all the Tour infrastructure already set up in that area. Policemen all around were guarding access, and I realized that I wouldn't have full access to where I wanted to be, not ...

... just one older lady. I will feel much more comfortable that way I think. Today we had our last orientation all about culture shock and dealing with stereotypes. It was useful information especially for people who haven't learned about dealing with different cultures or traveled any. After orientation Maya, Emma, Colin, and I went to lunch at a cafe near the Louvre. It was okay but the Louvre is such a toursty area and as soon as they realized ...

... them change the engine. Maybe it was the Little Engine that Couldn't or maybe it was changing the crew when we went from Italy to France. Anyways it was a long trip with little sleep. The train rolled into Berzy Station which isn't that far out of the downtown but far enough that you need an expensive cab ride or a subway ride. The subway has the same name for the station but to get from Train to Subway you have to ...

... a s'en servir et on va s'habituer avec le temps. Le voyage s'est bien passé. On a pris l'avion, le 7 février, vers 19h, à Pearson. Michel et France et Rosabelle sont venus nous mener à la porte des envolées internationales. Et maintenant, on est moins niaiseux. On court tout de suite pour des chariots. Et on sait vers quels comptoirs se diriger et quels papiers montrer, et moins j'ai mon passeport et carte d'embarquement dans une pochette dans le cou. Pas ...

... it has allowed me to see some sights I would not have paid to go to otherwise. Day 4 Versailles. The Rick Steves book was incorrect here, but it was due to the renovations on the Chateau (Palace of Versailles). Glad I arrived before opening here as there is no special entry for pass holders and general ticket holders. Everyone had to move through the same slow security line. I was even happier when I left the place and saw the lines on the way out. They were at least a ...

Saturday the sun was out for the first time since we arrived last week, and the gorgeous blue sky really lifted my mood. Rob and I had a great morning walk, and spent some time around the Pompidou and at the BHV looking for a way to put a shower curtain around the tub in spite of a severely pitched roof cutting off half its height. Not surprisingly, we found the French have experience with odd-shaped bathtubs and pitched roofs and have come up with ...

... restaurant in Paris (the cheap ones) worked like a deli. They scooped some stuff into a plate that I asked for that I saw in the display (think Safeway deli meat display) and then proceeded to turn around and microwave my food. I hadn't realized that it was cold. I was shocked, but since it was so cheap I didn't care. The second day I saw Napoleans tomb, Rodin Museum (well above highest expectations), Picasso museum, and a ...

... this morning, at the Laundromat near our hotel. An experience. Working out the instructions was an adventure. Plus had a lovely chat with an old Frenchwoman. She was very fashionably attired, complete with a walking stick. She and I had a great conversation about her life, and how the cost of living in Paris has gone up since the change to Euros from Francs, and French food and Frenchmen. She said she moved to Paris 25 ...