Day 16 - Ah Pariee

Well an easy introduction to Paris.

Train trip was a flash back to old style travel, with it being fully catered with food and drinks and all free given we are 1st class travellers. I wonder what the plebs in 2nd class are up to – let them eat cake I say.

Took a taxi to the hotel and I am suitable impressed. Much bigger and nicer than what I was expecting (http://paris-hotel-meslay.com/). Got immediate check-in, which is a big bonus where the usual practice in no checking in before 14:00. Drop the bags and went to collect our metro tickets.

Afterwards did a walk around the palais gardens, the Louvre and a few other places, before heading back to the hotel. Stop in one particular buzzing street (most are) and had a pastry. It was then that I thought that I didn’t need to do a 100 things in Paris, but maybe I should just stop sit in a different cafe each day, drink some wine, look at the passing mademoiselle and think about taking on a mistress. Just to blend in with the local population mind you.

We are staying in the Le Republique District and it may be a bit trendy. The taxi driver was telling us it was a good district, but I just thought he was p$%#ing in our pockets. But in our after dinner stroll there was a few jam packed cafe’s where the local looked hell bent on discussing the next revolution.

There is a big seminar on over the weekend in the nearby square, which is discussing alternative economic models and the taking down of the capitalist system. So I might go over there with the scarf as a mask and stir up the locals.

Just my initial impression. They do live up to their ideals of Liberty Fraternity and Equality. All the different races seem to get along very well and there is a nice ambience to the city. Ask me again in a few days after I have been hassled by umpteen beggars, pan handlers and gypsies.