Location: Paris France
Mission: Explore the city and meet our second couch surfing host.
Transportation: Walking.
New Years Day, 2010. How crazy? We slept in quite late this morning, Sylvain was to show us a little more of the city before we made it to our next couch surfer's place. We had originally spoke to Xavier (our second couch surfer) first, but he was unable to accompany us the first two days.
After a quick lunch at Sylvain's, we made our way to Notre Dame. Magnificent, all I can say to describe Notre Dame. There was quite a long line to enter the building, we did not, but standing outside was breath taking. The two days with Sylvain gave us such great insights to the city. We saw the area where people were hung in public, the oldest clock in Paris, Shakespearean Bookstore and so much more.
Sylvain led us to Xavier's place. Xavier's place had a more modern feel. Sleek and simple is what I would use. He was more vocal than Sylvain, but also very generous. After feeding us a Tortilla (Spanish omelet), he offered to take us to a club.
The club was named "Tango." With a mixture of all ages, the first portion of the night consisted of couples dancing the Tango. Chris and I did not want to Tango, although Xavier and his friend Emmanuel, wanted us to. We did, however, dance to transition the music. The dance (the name escapes me) was similar to the electric slide (or that country line dance) and was quite enjoyable.
After the Dance, the music changed to more club-like material. Lady Gaga, Britney, Madonna and many others. Even music from the 80's played all night. It was quite interesting to see French men lip syncing to songs in which they probably had no clue what they were saying!
I forgot to mention that we rode bikes to this club. The ride was amazing, we felt like Parisians and rode down small streets, next to traffic. Quite an experience!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Day 3/Day 4 (Dec. 30-Dec. 31)
Location: Paris, France
Mission: Meet up with our couch surfer, explore the city, enjoy New Years in Paris.
Transportation: Metro and our feet.
We got into Paris quite late, had no idea where to meet our couch surfer. Earlier in our trip, Chris locked himself out of the phone. We had no means of communication. We decided to walk across the street towards a mall area, that moment, we ran into Sylvain.
We took the metro back to Sylvain's place. The place was a two room flat (just one bedroom with a living room). The atmosphere was very comfortable and Sylvain made us a Brazilian drink and we munched on cheese. We chatted for a while, but were exhausted. The sofa bed was pulled out and it was time to sleep.
Day 4:
The next morning, after a long sleep, Sylvain offered to show us around. We walked along the river, saw things we probably would not have seen had we not been with Sylvain. We ate crepes at a restaurant and made our way to the Louvre area. Here, we walked around the mall area and chatted a bit more. Sylvain left us, he had a New Year's party to attend.
Chris and I went back to the apartment, napped and it was time to catch the New Year's festivities.
New Year's in Paris, who would ever think it would actually happen. The streets were filled with crazy Parisians, booze had started to run through everyone's veins, but ours. After a quick purchase (6 Euros for 2 Heinikens), we walked towards the Eiffel Tower. Imagine being next to the tower at midnight, fireworks and lights! Well, that's at least what I envisioned.
The Eiffel Tower was lit up, alternating colors flashed down the sides. When midnight came, one could hardly tell. The lights counted down from the top of the tower to the bottom, but there were no fireworks. No grand display, just store bought fireworks and people screaming. The experience was great, just not what I hoped for.
Mission: Meet up with our couch surfer, explore the city, enjoy New Years in Paris.
Transportation: Metro and our feet.
We got into Paris quite late, had no idea where to meet our couch surfer. Earlier in our trip, Chris locked himself out of the phone. We had no means of communication. We decided to walk across the street towards a mall area, that moment, we ran into Sylvain.
We took the metro back to Sylvain's place. The place was a two room flat (just one bedroom with a living room). The atmosphere was very comfortable and Sylvain made us a Brazilian drink and we munched on cheese. We chatted for a while, but were exhausted. The sofa bed was pulled out and it was time to sleep.
Day 4:
The next morning, after a long sleep, Sylvain offered to show us around. We walked along the river, saw things we probably would not have seen had we not been with Sylvain. We ate crepes at a restaurant and made our way to the Louvre area. Here, we walked around the mall area and chatted a bit more. Sylvain left us, he had a New Year's party to attend.
Chris and I went back to the apartment, napped and it was time to catch the New Year's festivities.
New Year's in Paris, who would ever think it would actually happen. The streets were filled with crazy Parisians, booze had started to run through everyone's veins, but ours. After a quick purchase (6 Euros for 2 Heinikens), we walked towards the Eiffel Tower. Imagine being next to the tower at midnight, fireworks and lights! Well, that's at least what I envisioned.
The Eiffel Tower was lit up, alternating colors flashed down the sides. When midnight came, one could hardly tell. The lights counted down from the top of the tower to the bottom, but there were no fireworks. No grand display, just store bought fireworks and people screaming. The experience was great, just not what I hoped for.
Day Three (Dec. 30th)
Location: Dublin, Ireland/Paris, France
Mission: Find Fish n' Chips, get to the airport to catch our flight to Paris, France. / Find our couch surfer.
Transportation: Feet and public bus.
Time to checkout. We leave the Abbey Hotel and make our way back into the cold, windy city of Dublin. We passed a few pubs the other night and wanted to check them out again. After a few short minutes, we arrived at "Madigans."
A cute, alley-way pub was just what we wanted. We were greeted and seated, what to eat? After a few moments, "Bangers and Mash" along with "Fish n' Chips" sounded delightful. The food, paired with Carlsberg beer, was AMAZING. The sausage was delicious, as were the chips!
After lunch, we did just a little more walking. Our flight to Paris was later in the evening, but we have a habit of getting to the airport quite early. This time was no exception.
We made it to Dublin Airport, and were soon off to Paris France. Here, we took my scariest plane ride ever. Upon our departure out of Dublin, the rain was constant. As we lifted off the ground, we were being pelted by the rain and flying into the thick of it. After a few short minutes, we were above the storm!
Paris: We landed at a smaller airport about an hour from the city. A shuttle bus, at the rate of 14 Euros a person, was our only transportation into the city. The bus was full and the ride made us quite sleepy.
Sylvain our couch surfer would be waiting for us...or would he?
Mission: Find Fish n' Chips, get to the airport to catch our flight to Paris, France. / Find our couch surfer.
Transportation: Feet and public bus.
Time to checkout. We leave the Abbey Hotel and make our way back into the cold, windy city of Dublin. We passed a few pubs the other night and wanted to check them out again. After a few short minutes, we arrived at "Madigans."
A cute, alley-way pub was just what we wanted. We were greeted and seated, what to eat? After a few moments, "Bangers and Mash" along with "Fish n' Chips" sounded delightful. The food, paired with Carlsberg beer, was AMAZING. The sausage was delicious, as were the chips!
After lunch, we did just a little more walking. Our flight to Paris was later in the evening, but we have a habit of getting to the airport quite early. This time was no exception.
We made it to Dublin Airport, and were soon off to Paris France. Here, we took my scariest plane ride ever. Upon our departure out of Dublin, the rain was constant. As we lifted off the ground, we were being pelted by the rain and flying into the thick of it. After a few short minutes, we were above the storm!
Paris: We landed at a smaller airport about an hour from the city. A shuttle bus, at the rate of 14 Euros a person, was our only transportation into the city. The bus was full and the ride made us quite sleepy.
Sylvain our couch surfer would be waiting for us...or would he?
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