Paris and the beginning....

Sorry I have not blogged since I flew away to Europe but just been BUSY!   Oh my I have seen so much and done so much hard to know where to begin.  We arrived on our flight from DFW to Frankfurt and caught the fast train to Paris pretty quickly although we had to haul our bags all around the airport and outside!  Train was great and nice scenery - also served breakfast.  We arrived about 1:30 in Paris and took the taxi to the hotel.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn St Germain des Pres; now I must say the reception staff was NOT helpful.  Because we were there 15 minutes before 2:00pm check-in time we had to wait for our room and then they sent us to wrong room though beautiful room LOL.  So we moved.  The room was nice and very contemporary although the window from bathroom to sleeping area was a little odd. 

So after a brief break, we set out around the city with a bus pass on the red bus (on and off).  We went to the Arc de Triomphe where the French tomb of the unknown is placed.  We could not go to the top because they were having some  kind of ceremony with many French military veterans!  So took some pictures of the men and women which is perfect for my project.   

We then walked down the Champs Elysee and had lunch with some wine of course and a little French Onion Soup -- sooo good.  Couldn't believe I was sitting at a Parisian cafe with some good wine.  As we ambled off into the city, we ran across the French memorial to their war in Algeria so I was able to do some "work" that first day!  It was very stark and very modernistic at same time.

 Then we made our way to the Eiffel Tower and were able to go the top with very little wait; AWESOME!!  The tower is so impressive in person; really beyond what you imagine.  And very very tall!  Just close to sunset as arrived back on the ground and watched the sparkling lights that are set off at 10 and 11pm. 

From the tower we ambled back to the hotel after some sumptious chocolate cake at a nearby cafe.  Man what a first day in the city of lights!  Long, long day though LOL but so special.