Day Three
Trip Start
Oct 08, 2007
1
4
11
Trip End
Oct 22, 2007
Paris,
France
Sunday, October 14, 2007
It's been a long day! After mass at Notre Dame, with the cardinal archbishop, I must have walked at least 5 miles today. When I finally get myself out of bed (I find I wake up at about 5am and then can't sleep for about 2 hrs, then I can wake up for about 3), I took along walk along the Seine. On Sundays the road that follows the river down low is closed and everyone jog, skates and walks for miles. I did the same. I walked all the way to the end of the Louvre and up a ways past the American Embassy.
I'd been savoring the falafel that I talked about yesterday. I actually waited in line for 1.5 hrs (I kid you not)! I figured if the French were waiting in line they must be worth every minute of it. So I make my way VERY slowly toward the take out window. My French is a bit rusty, but it seemed to me the sign indicated you need to go inside the restaurant and pay first, then come out and pick up the order with your receipt. So, I asked the French man next to me. He said that, no, I did not need to pay first. I said that it seemed the sign said that we should, but he looked at me like I was a crazed American. So I figure he should know. Well, wouldn't you know that when we get to the window (after those 1.5 hrs) that's exactly what the young man serving the sandwiches said. So we (me the illiterate Frenchman) had to step out of line, go inside, get into another line to pay, bring back the receipt back to the other guy-and luckily, he just let us break the line. And the falafel? Well, let's just say it was not memorable. The first bite reminded me of the time I was in Israel...then it just tanked. I think the first bite was the result of the anticipation. Needless to say, I will not stand in line again!
I promised to wait for Paul before heading to the Louvre and while I did, I could not resist just walking into the courtyard and I was just blown away! I can hardly wait to visit when Paul gets in. I've got so much to see yet. I've actually just been laying low, sleeping, resting and taking photos the past several days. I know when Paul finally shows up he'll have me moving fast.
Enjoy the photos!
Jorge
