we're off
On the plane from Philadelphia (I think was our connection) to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France. Here we go! Enjoy!
Ariel and Emily in Steve's hotel
After arriving at CDG, we found our way to the train with Emily's excellent instructions. Here Ariel and Emily stop off at Steve's hotel room in Paris (note we've been already gone grocery shopping, and Emily is eating--have the French been starving her?).
Steve at our first Paris Cafe
First day in Paris--Steve in the Bar/Cafe around the corner (and down six flights of stairs!) from Emily's room.
Ariel's first cup in Paris
Ariel takes pictures of the delicious coffee. Six hours in Paris, and she wants to move here for the coffee, alone.
A and E's first giggle fit
First of ten days of giggle fits between these two old buddies... Emily and Ariel have known each other since birth (Emily was there and three years old when Ariel was born while her mom, Kacie, filmed Penelope giving birth).
giggle 2
Emily in her native habitat. The bar owner more or less adopted her during Emily's 7 month stay in Paris. This is her regular hangout, frequented mostly by middle-eastern men who don't harass her or else they'd face the wrath of the bar owner.
giggle 3
Getting down to serious giggling. Ariel and I have been flying and waiting around in airports for about 18 hours at this point, so we're a bit dingy.
Paris light
Paris light comes into the bar... Soon we will leave and get oriented on the Metro by our most excellent local guide, Emily.
Montmarte lookout
Up on butte Montmarte is the Sacre-Coeur Cathedral. Beyond Emily is an elevator that is part of the Metro. I think for people who don't want to climb up the hill to get here.
blurry Eiffel and Forsythia
To the far right, through the Forsythia, is our first glimpse of the Eifle Tower. Not very visible in my out of focus $50 digital camera. (Ariel's version of this picture shows an in-focus Eifel, but no flowers.)
Montmarte walk
On our first Paris walk, we tour the Montmarte district, one of the oldest and most charming areas, we are told. Here Ariel takes a picture of something in the gutter.
Montmarte shop window
Window shopping in Montmarte.
Montmarte walk 2
Down the hill, we get near the Moulin Rouge on our walk. Emily has to go back to work, soon.
looking at Sacre-Coeur
Ariel looks up at Sacre-Coeur, after we part ways with Emily. (We walked with her to a Metro station.)
blurry Place de la Concorde
After Montmarte's charm fades, and our feet start to get sore, down into the Metro we go, coming up at Concorde Plaza. War memorials in front of us...
dueling cameras 1
...and a sculpture park / formal garden behind us. We walk through the park to scope out the Louve (closing soon, but we wanted to walk around here before crashing on our first day in Paris).
on our way to the Louvre
Next day, Emily is off to work early in the morning, dropping off Ariel at my hotel. We are off to the Louvre!
Ariel at the glass pyramid
That I.M. Pei guy gets around. First NCAR, then the Louvre...
A starts her Louvre photo doc
We'll skip the first few hundred Ariel pix of Artwork... (no, really!) Hers are in focus, though. Eventually, I'll figure out my camera is in closeup mode, but it will be a while.
Louvre garden
The guide book says (reading this months later, as I annotate this album): Jardin des Tulleries -- Beautifully manicured formal gardens linking the Louvre with the Place de la Concorde. For us at the time, a scenic walk.
dueling cameras 2
Many dueling camera photos will be taken in the next week or so.
Concorde Plaza sun flare
Finished our first day at the Louvre, we walk back to Place de la Concorde to catch the Metro to meet Emily after work. This is Ariel's fave picture, I think--"Lion farts the sun".
Concorde Plaza sun flare 2
It is the city of light, after all... There's some now! Sore feet will be a major theme for the rest of this trip. We'll get used to it. but there is a lot of walking in this vacation business.
Picasso cat eats a bird
Next day, Emily takes us to the Picasso Museum, where Ariel took pictures of their entire collection. Here's one...
Picasso ladies lounging
...and here's another. Email me if you want to see the other 150.
power shopping on rue St Honore
We part ways with Emily after Picasso, and end up on rue Saint Honore (world fashion mecca). Steve freaks out a salesgoon at "Fred". Nothing in that window less than 80,000 Euros.
cool car on rue St Honore
Ariel spots a cool car on rue Saint Honore.