Paris is wonderful!
I was feeling a bit lackluster while in London. Maybe it's because I've been to the city 8 times and I am very familar with it. I don't really find much adventure there. Immediately on arriving in Paris I found comfort, excitement and curiosity in the streets, people, sights and pastries!
The transfer to my flat was via Yellow Shuttle and I found them to be prompt and polite. I called them as soon as I arrived and once I got outside they were waiting. There were only 2 of us in the van so my trip into Paris was fast.
The apartment I rented is perfect! I have to say my first impression on entering was that it was old. Old, yes. It has century old floors, beamed high ceilings and everything you would expect from a century old building in Paris. The conveniences such as the kitchen and bath are perfectly modern and a welcome change over what you would get in a cheap hotel. It is actually very quaint.
The 3 best things about the flat are the comfortable bed, bright sunny light you get from the 2 large windows which open to a patio and the washer/dryer combination.
The flat also has tons of extras such as a VCR in the TV and a CD player with all sorts of music supplied by the owner. The flat is on the top floor of the building and over the rooftops you can see the top of St Pauls church. At night it is lighted so it particullary dramatic. The size and the space of the studio is also a welcome change to a tiny Parsian hotel room. One of the nice parts about the flat is the feeling of coming and going. It's like you've become an instant Parisian, walking through the peaceful courtyard of the building onto the bustling streets of the Marais. It's a glimpse of how the residents live.
I will write a full review on the apartment later in the week.
This morning I didn't get out of bed until 11am. I am bad but it was so warm and cozy. I woke up in a half zombie state and threw on some clothes, wandered onto the street and bought myself a nice warm baguette. Yesterday afternoon I went to the "supermarche", which is right across the street and bought some jam, butter, milk and yogurt to keep in the small fridge. I also stopped at the wine store for a bottle of Crozes-Hermitage red wine for the room. Look at me shopping in the markets of Paris!
After I purchased my baguette, I walked back to the flat and did like a Parisian, I chewed off the tip of the baguette and ate it. I think there is a French word for this but I don't know what it is. When you walk around Paris in the evenings you will always see people walking with baguette in hand. Take a closer look and you will usually see that the tip has already been chewed off. It's the snack for the trip home. I think this is the best part of the baguette because of it crispy chewy flavor.
Anyway, here I sit with my fresh crusty baguette, covered with sweet French butter and strawberry jam. To drink, I am having some Earl Grey tea which I brought with me from London. The sky outside my window is blue, the air is crisp and I can hear the bells of St Paul ringing on this Sunday morning.
This is heaven.
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You lucky, lucky, lucky man.
Posted by: Joe | Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 09:17 PM