First Night in Paris

After a wonderful nonstop flight, we quickly got our bags and started the process of figuring out how to get to the center of Paris. The airport was located quite a few miles from the heart of the city and where our hotel was located, so we decided to trek by train, suitcases and all. It took 3 train lines and multiples staircases with our 50 lb pound bags to get to Villa Athena hotel. Luckily on our first train line over, we were welcomed by a duo of Paris entertainers, playing classic french songs on the accordion.

We were lucky enough to be graced by heavy rain as we stepped off our last exit to walk to our hotel. Once we finally found the hotel, the rain stopped, just to our luck. We were both drenched, and quickly changed into our pajamas to take a nap before dinner.

Our hotel is very modern for a French Hotel, and although the building may be old, the furniture is very sleek.

Our wonderful concierge made us reservations at an amazing Italian restaurant called Felini to which we enjoyed a great bottle of white Italian wine, warm baguettes, and pasta so fresh it melted in your mouth.

Our meal was so decadent that we couldn't stop eating. Instead of taking a taxi back to our hotel, we decided to walk back. Using the few directions that the waiter was able to give us, and our intuition we started the long walk back to the hotel. On the way back, we passed the Louvre, which was beautifully lit. We were able to see many of the the statues from the road outside, and we continued out walk on the Rue De Rivoli and came across the Jardin Des Tuileries. Although it was too dark to see inside, based off of the walk alone, we were able to gage just how large the gardens are.

Just as we were coming up to the street we were supposed to turn on, we noticed the Eiffel Tower and Arc De Triomphe. These monuments are absolutely gorgeous and night, so we decided to walk in the opposite direction of our hotel to get an up close look at the Eiffel Tower. We took several pictures, and walked quite a distance before deciding to turn back. Although it was 11:30 at night in Paris, the city was still booming with activity and the streets were packed with cars and people.

It turns out the waiter didn't give us the best of directions as we got to where he said would be the final destination. Using the maps we were able to determine the rough vicinity of where our hotel was located, and we started to head in the general direction. Twenty minutes later, we found our hotel, got settled for the night, and turned on MTV in German to fall asleep to.

Until tomorrow... Au Revior